A Rare Glimpse Inside one of East Hamptons Historical Houses, Greycroft

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Tamara Matthews Stephenson is the creative talent behind this journal dedicated to interior design, history and lifestyle inspiration. With a passion for design and a keen eye for aesthetics, she shares her expertise and insights. Tamara has established herself as a prominent figure in the world of interior design and her design philosophy is rooted in the idea that a well-designed home can elevate the quality of life. Beyond her writing, She is an interior designer and textile designer as the Creative Director and Owner of root cellar designs, LLC, an artisan line of textile and wallpaper. Connect with Tamara through email at rootcellardesings@gmail.com

Posted by Tamara Stephenson January 03, 2023

A Rare Glimpse Inside one of East Hamptons Historical Houses, Greycroft

The East Hampton Historical House Tour
Part 2: Let's Visit Greycroft
on Huntting Lane in East Hampton

The annual East Hampton Historic House Tour offers us unique opportunities to see these grand homes. Greycroft is one of the most beautiful architectural gems in the East End of Long Island. This home is a rambling cedar shingle beauty, and the name harkens to British literature.

The home was built in 1893 in East Hampton by architect Isaac Henry Green who is credited with introducing the Shingle Style to this summer colony. I love the gambrel-roof, fan windows, paneled wainscoting, and as a textile designer, I also appreciate the beautiful crewel work, vintage textiles and furnishings throughout the home.

Back in the day, Emma Woodhouse turned these once swampy four acres into a beautiful Japanese Garden. She created this Japanese garden by hiring Remington King, a farmer and gardner from Sag Harbor who had been a whaler and had traveled to Japan. As a matter of fact, according to the New York Times, the very first Iris flower coming to the US was imported to this very garden in East Hampton village.

After her death in 1908, the gardens were passed on to her niece, Mary Woodland, who founded the East Hampton Garden Club. The club passed the Water Garden on to the Village, becoming the heart of today’s 24-acre Nature Trail. In 1980, Robert A.M. Stern renovated the home for the present owners. Lots of history on this property, and the current owners (the Patricof family) has worked hard to preserve its integrity.