My Neighborhood: Bridgehampton Village Flair

For Elena Frampton, living in Bridgehampton was a happy accident. The interior designer’s company, Frampton Co, is headquartered in Manhattan, but she was a regular Hamptons visitor for business and pleasure. When a broker contacted her several years ago about “an incredible house in Bridgehampton—a perfect cottage,” the offer was too tempting to resist. Soon, the broker called again. This time he had a commercial space around the corner from her new home. Frampton jumped at the chance to expand her business footprint in Bridgehampton. The building is a two-story garage with a mezzanine where she operates a satellite office, while the ground floor serves as exhibition space. I’ve found it a wonderful place to live and run a business. —Elena Frampton, interior designer “I ended up in Bridgehampton by circumstances, but this unexpected path has made me so happy. I’ve found it a wonderful place to live and run a business,” says Frampton. “I can walk to the village, and Main Street in Bridgehampton really feels like ‘Main Street USA,’ full of small mom-and-pop shops. It gets a little sleepy from January to March,” she adds, but that is perhaps the best time of year. “My houseguests always delight in the air and space, quiet, natural beauty, and escape from the city and pace of their busy lives.” ARTISTIC LICENSE Down the street from Frampton Co (141 Maple Ln., Bridgehampton; 212.448.1091) is the Dan Flavin Art Institute, a 1908 firehouse that serves as a permanent installation space for Flavin’s art and a gallery for revolving exhibitions. 23 Corwith Ave., Bridgehampton; 631.537.1476 The Parrish Art Museum Frampton also frequents the Parrish Art Museum and, as a museum committee member, organizes and hosts events. “It’s a wonderful institution—a place to enjoy art exhibitions, films, music, and talks that showcase specific artists and compelling themes all year.” 279 Montauk Hwy., Water Mill; 631.283.2118 John Salibello Antiques provides vintage furniture, lighting, and art pieces that Frampton uses in her interior design and art installation projects. “The shop focuses on Mid-Century Modern, so I always find something unique.” 2309 Montauk Hwy., Bridgehampton; 631.537.1484 BUY, BUY “Arthur Golabek Flowers is extremely talented and has a great artistic sensibility. He has no storefront, but he has created exquisite floral arrangements for our exhibitions,” she says. arthurgolabek.com; 347.731.3826 Arthur Golabek Flowers For cooking and hostess gifts, Frampton likes family-owned Loaves & Fishes Cookshop (2266 Montauk Hwy., Bridgehampton; 631.537.6066), a sister business to the gourmet Loaves & Fishes Foodshop in Sagaponack (50 Sagg Main St., Sagaponack, 631.537.0555). “The shop offers a beautiful selection of unique artisan wood bowls, Belgian linens, placemats, poolside gifts, and much more,” she says. TASTY MORSELS “I find myself going to L&W Market almost every day for lunch.They have lovely pantry offerings.” Open all year, L&W has cozy window seats in fall and winter, and outdoor tables for warm days. 2493 Montauk Hwy., Bridgehampton; 631.537.1123 Rosie’s Amagansett “offers an American farm-to-table menu that’s off the charts. It feels very special, whether you’re there for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or their Oyster Happy Hour.” Frampton herself designed the interiors. 195 Main St., Amagansett; 631.604.5095 “Topping Rose House Restaurant is a go-to spot to dine by the bar in the winter and outdoors in the summer. It is in a converted 19th-century Greek Revival house and has a stately, elegant residential feel. It’s casually chic, with true farm- to-table cuisine using locally grown and sourced produce, fish,andotheringredients.” 1 Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Tpk., Bridgehampton; 631.537.0870 For business lunches, her pick is Pierre’s Restaurant. 2468 Main St., Bridgehampton; 631.537.5110 Almond For cocktails, Almond “offers a great place year-round. It’s both casual and elegant, and in the winter you’ll find the core Bridgehampton crew there with few tourists.” 1 Ocean Rd., Bridgehampton; 631.537.5665 —Suzanne Shelley