Exploring Colleen DeCourcy’s Creative Retreat in the Hamptons

In March 2020, as Covid-19 infections surged, advertising executive Colleen DeCourcy found her SoHo apartment uninviting. The New Yorker and her daughter, now 31, were unable to travel to their home in Portland, Oregon due to escalating travel restrictions. Seeking a new refuge, they turned to Long Island. “We drove around a lot — estate agents were leaving the houses unlocked,” DeCourcy recalls. She quickly fell in love with a property located in the affluent area connecting Sag Harbor and East Hampton, where spacious lots are a rarity.

At 60 years old, DeCourcy had previously resided in a 1960s farmhouse on Shelter Island, which she described as “lovely, but very spare and modern.” A former chief creative officer at Wieden+Kennedy, the agency famously associated with Nike’s “Just Do It” campaign, she envisioned a more traditional aesthetic for this home and sought out designer Heidi Caillier for her vision.

The two connected through the Expert platform, where designers are matched with clients. What began as a discussion about the kitchen soon expanded into a vision for the entire home. DeCourcy’s brief was inspiring: “A magical house in the woods that was quirky, eccentric, creative, and colorful.”

It was a perfect collaboration—DeCourcy, a storyteller with a fondness for Hans Christian Andersen fairytales, and Caillier, known for her artistic maximalism. DeCourcy was taken aback upon learning that the land had previously undergone extensive alteration—top soil was removed to build the house. To restore the environment, the pair brought in 300 trees, including 30-foot Lebanese cedar, Asian pine, and ginkgo trees.

Landscape designer Charles Marder contributed to the project, ensuring that plant life seemed to have matured naturally over the years. DeCourcy describes Marder as a “real craftsman—he works with the Spielbergs.” The once-bright blue pool was transformed into a natural pond that DeCourcy and her family enjoy regularly.

Inside, the impressive 7,500 square-foot home initially seemed “well-made but unimaginative and drab.” DeCourcy prioritized infusing color into the space, achieving a chiaroscuro effect reminiscent of the Dutch masters. Rich hues of carmine, aubergine, and olive create a warm and inviting atmosphere, complemented by mixed fabrics that effortlessly blend together.

DeCourcy enjoys spending her leisure time in the library, filled with dark brown shelves and a curated collection of books. This cozy space invites simple joys like listening to jazz and reading. Since leaving her position at Snapchat earlier this year, she has spent countless hours enjoying the library’s inviting ambiance, accentuated by a floral-patterned Howe sofa and plaid armchairs from Jamb.

While she believes that true creativity flourishes when designers are given free rein, DeCourcy actively participated in the design process. Her own SoHo apartment showcases her sophisticated taste, filled with French furniture from notable designers.

DeCourcy’s affinity for BDDW, a brand known for bespoke handcrafted pieces, is evident throughout her home, with standout furniture including sofas, chairs, and intricately designed Delft-style tiles in the kitchen.

Her desire for a teal deVol kitchen, which she first encountered years ago while living in the UK, is now fulfilled in her Hamptons hideaway.

DeCourcy treasures her collection of small, meaningful artifacts that tell stories and capture her imagination. These pieces include artworks “held together with bits of tape and glue,” embodying her creative spirit.

Art extends beyond conventional frames. In the dining area, a mural depicting local wildlife enhances the atmosphere, while the master bedroom features a unique ceramic installation by artist Bradley Sabin that blends botanical and fantastical themes.

Looking ahead, DeCourcy plans to renovate the basement, which will include a cinema room, bar, wine cellar, and additional living space. Excited about the progress made so far, she articulates her vision: “What I really wanted was a place for my imagination to run, somewhere that stimulated me visually.”