For Edward Mermelstein, his Hamptons home is where his heart is.
The Hamptons has a reputation for attracting the “see and be seen” set. While famous faces do host headline-making parties, there was a time when high-powered people ventured to Long Island’s East End to escape the madness—and the maddening crowds— instead. The weathered look of the Hamptons’ clapboard houses and the serenity of the sea were part of the draw for those who fled here.
That same sense of escape is alive and well for Edward Mermelstein. The founder of an eponymous boutique law firm, Mermelstein has been living year-round at his Hamptons home for nearly three years. “Once you get to the house and see the water, the grass, and the trees, you really don’t want to be doing anything,” he laughs, explaining how he and his family are content without indulging in the typical Hamptons scene.
It’s easy to see why, given that the 12-acre property features 20,000 square feet of enclosed space, tennis courts, and a pool. But more importantly, “It’s always a dream to be living with the water in front of your window,” Mermelstein explains. “It’s a very relaxing place to be. I was lucky enough to have a family that helped me put it together.”
About six years ago, some of MermelsteinÂ’s relatives acquired a plot of land adjacent to one they already owned. Three years later, the house began taking shape. Modeled after a typical Hamptons home on the outside, inside it features mahogany paneling and hand-cut, hand-laid stonework. Family gatherings, holiday parties, and unexpected visits from friends are hosted with equal aplomb.
There’s no single style when it comes to the décor in the Mermelstein residence. Instead, the eclectic mix of pieces is meant to feel a part of the home. Even with Tibetan sculptures standing eight to nine feet tall at the entrance to a doorway, Mermelstein says, “You in some ways notice them, but they blend in, so they don’t stand out, either.”
Of course, blending in is not your typical style in the Hamptons—but Mermelstein wouldn’t have it any other way. —Diane M. Byrne