When Richard Mumby and designer Todd Hellmuth were searching for properties in East Hampton, they weren't just looking at square footage and location stats. They wanted something with character and soul. What they discovered was an exceptional 1928 Normandy-style estate that had remained largely untouched by modern renovations, preserving its quiet grandeur and architectural integrity.
The seven-bedroom home was designed by architect L. Bancel LaFarge, a founding member of the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission and devoted Francophile. The property showcases all the classic features of the period, including a distinctive stone facade, traditional terracotta roof tiles, and elegant French doors that open onto multiple terraces. "There was just such a sense of integrity," Hellmuth explains. "It hadn't been stripped away over the years."
The estate once formed part of a much larger property, but as parcels were sold off over the decades, the remaining acre-and-a-half retained its gracious proportions and expansive open lawns. Landscape designer Kimberly von Koontz, who collaborated with Hellmuth on the project, was responsible for honoring that original spirit. "It already had the bones of something grand," she notes. "We wanted to bring back that sense of timeless approach, but with subtle, sensitive updates."
Hellmuth, who previously worked at Studio Sofield and Thierry Despont before establishing his own practice, had a clear vision for the restoration. Rather than recreating an old French house, he aimed for something that felt "refined, updated—a cleaner version of tradition." The design leans into European country references while avoiding pastiche, emphasizing natural textures like jute, linen, wool, and waxed plaster finishes that feel elegant but unpretentious.
The renovation involved extensive artisanal work throughout the home. The team spent seven months sanding walls before decorative painters applied subtle plaster and wax finishes. One small powder room features a hand-sculpted plaster relief that took three months to complete, inspired by an Art Deco panel Hellmuth once saw in Paris. "The craftsman sketched the whole nature scene by hand—antelopes, birds, foliage," he recalls.
Another standout feature is the dining room fireplace, which showcases seashells that Mumby collected during beach walks. Hellmuth commissioned an artist to arrange each shell by hand into a rhythmic pattern, creating a subtle nod to the coastal setting that avoids typical beach house cliches. The games room features a 1970s Pierluigi Molinari table for Pozzi Milano, part of the carefully curated mix of vintage and contemporary pieces.
Mumby and Hellmuth sourced most of the furnishings during two trips to Paris, combining vintage finds with custom pieces. "My vision was for it to feel generational," Mumby explains. "The furniture spans the late 1940s through the 1970s, and the contemporary art provides a deliberate counterpoint to the restored interiors." As a dedicated host, Mumby worked with Hellmuth to give each of the multiple guest rooms its own distinct personality.
While Hellmuth focused on the interior restoration, von Koontz extended the home's story into the surrounding landscape. The existing pool required significant updates, as its old cement coping didn't complement the house's character. Her team replaced it with hand-cut reclaimed brick fashioned into a custom lattice pattern that echoes the home's terracotta roof. She also sourced reclaimed sidewalks in vintage bluestone to create terraces that harmonize with the architecture.
The attention to detail extended to every element of the landscape design. "Even the curvature of the brick edges was custom-cut on site," von Koontz notes, adding with a laugh, "Neighbors weren't thrilled about the noise." The gardens unfold as a series of outdoor rooms, featuring terraces for morning coffee, shaded dining areas, and a pool deck that glows beautifully in the late afternoon light.
The completed project represents a seamless blend of historic architecture, handmade craftsmanship, and modern comfort. The home feels both historic and utterly current, offering a refined retreat where guests can relax after a day at the beach without sacrificing elegance. As von Koontz summarizes the successful restoration, "Everything feels correct."
