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Interiors

Ellen Hamilton

The New York designer, known for her deeply personal spaces, creates a nuanced dining room for the Galerie House of Art and Design

By Galerie editors
Modern living room with wooden walls, abstract art, cozy seating, and large window providing natural light.
A home designed by Ellen Hamilton. Photo: Max Kim Bee
The New York city designer Ellen Hamilton is celebrated for her beautifully layered and nuanced interiors. With a distinct vision, she aims to capture her client’s life experiences and weave it into a unique home that transports and inspires. Hamilton cut her teeth with Peter Marino and, later, for the architecture firm Fox & Fowle before forming her own firm, Hamilton Design Associates, in 2000. Recent projects include a Martha’s Vineyard beach house, a classic Manhattan apartment, and a Miami Beach apartment.  

The New York designer Ellen Hamilton is celebrated for her beautifully layered and nuanced interiors. With a distinct vision, she aims to capture her client’s life experiences and weave it into a unique home that transports and inspires. Hamilton cut her teeth with Peter Marino and later for the architecture firm Fox & Fowle, before forming her own firm, Hamilton Design Associates, in 2000. Recent projects include a Martha’s Vineyard beach house, a classic Manhattan apartment, and a Miami Beach apartment.

Person in black dress standing by a fountain in a sunlit park with colorful foliage in the background.
Ellen Hamilton Photo: Courtesy of Ellen Hamilton

Beachside getaway essentials: “Light and comfort. I want to avoid any design gestures that are too obvious or familiar while still signaling ‘beach’ and ‘water.’ It’s about creating a house where everyone can feel relaxed no matter how glamorous or luxurious the house may be.”

Modern living room with wooden walls, abstract art, cozy seating, and large window providing natural light.
A home designed by Ellen Hamilton. Photo: Max Kim Bee

Favorite Hamptons design shops: “Comerford Collection has all the appointments to make any house feel like a home, with great pillows, trays, and tabletop. I also love Gustavo Oliveri—I think every beach house needs a little European chic and there is a bit of tongue-in-cheek chic in their collections.”

Cozy living room with blue sofa, modern chairs, and large windows overlooking a scenic view. Warm sunlight fills the space.
Ellen Hamilton’s cottage in Chillmark on Martha’s Vineyard. Photo: Max Kim Bee

Favorite East End restaurants: “I love to cook so I always head straight to the farm stands. Round Swamp Farm inspires me to cook and entertain. When I do go out, it’s Tutto il Giorno in Sag Harbor. Everything Donna and Gabby Karan do is so well done, and great Italian food proves to be no exception.”

Modern living room with a grand piano, fireplace, daybed, and large windows overlooking a scenic landscape.
Ellen Hamilton designed the Graham Oak Spring Farm. Photo: Max Kim Bee

Favorite Hamptons art venues: “The Quogue Gallery is charming, and they have an innovative exhibition program. Elena Frampton’s studio is so beautiful and forward-looking. It is a real design treat, located in an old garage. That says Hamptons to me!”

Rustic interior with stone floor, wooden beams, bench, archway view to kitchen, large plant arrangement and wall art.
In a home designed by Ellen Hamilton, a graceful arch with sliding steel casement doors opens onto the kitchen. To the left is Tara Donovan’s Drawing Pins, and to the right is Jean-Michel Othoniel’s Mandorie D’Or Blanc. Photo: WILLIAM WALDRON

The Galerie House of Art and Design will kick off with a VIP event on August 5, with public viewings taking place from August 7 through September 6. Click here to view the full list of participating designers.