Hamptons Real Estate Showcase: March 2022
Written by Heather Buchanan
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The Spa Moves In-House
While a luxurious primary bathroom has been a key selling point for Hamptons homes, the pandemic has created even more demand to bring the spa experience in-house. Alicia Murphy of Alicia Murphy Design who founded her Amagansett-based firm in 2014 states, “With everything going on in the world clients want something calming. The biggest change that I’ve noticed is that people are creating their own ecosystem within the home. People are adding these upgrades to their house which is fun to design.” These elements can range from steam showers to infrared saunas to chromotherapy tubs. While it might not reach the million-dollar mark, the architectural freestanding tub is the jewel in the Hamptons luxury bathroom crown. Murphy’s favorite is the Waterworks Clothilde freestanding oval copper tub. “It’s next level,” Murphy says. But for those not up for the $57,000 price tag, Murphy was able to create a similar custom look for her clients using a firm in Tennessee.
The high-end shower is not to be forgotten with Murphy’s choice of a Dornbracht Rain Sky M overhead rain-shower which sits flush in the ceiling for $15,000 with separate spray areas for head spray, body spray and rain curtain with precise temperature regulation and atmospheric light. With supply chain issues designers face new challenges. Murphy notes, “It’s not just one but four or five selections for design elements with the client. It’s much more complicated for designers because you are reselecting in rooms that are finely tuned.” Her key to success in this environment? “Stay positive and be able to pivot.”
