Julie Hillman, the celebrated interior designer, didn’t start her journey with a dream of becoming one. In 1996, while on maternity leave from her fashion career, she and her husband were house-hunting in the Hamptons—unsuccessfully. Frustrated, their realtor gave them a blunt suggestion: “You should buy a piece of land and build a house. You’re wasting my time.” That suggestion ultimately led Hillman to an entirely new profession.
They eventually found land in the quiet, wooded northwest of East Hampton. The plot offered privacy and peace, far from the party scenes and ocean views commonly associated with the area. Hillman embraced the location’s calm and decided the home’s design would reflect that serenity.
Laying the Foundation for a Design Philosophy
Hillman took a meticulous approach to the project. She mulled over “every window, every door,” she said. Though she didn’t know it then, the process was the beginning of her next career, merging her eye for design with her passion for collecting. By 2002, Hillman had launched her firm in New York City and began working with clients in New York, Aspen, Palm Beach, and the Hamptons.
Her East Hampton home became the blueprint for her now-distinctive aesthetic. It is an artful mix of contemporary design, flea market finds, and refined minimalism. Hillman often works in shades of white, experiments with proportion, and adds character through unique objects. All her projects share a sense of timelessness, a principle that traces back to that first house.
Designing With Purpose and Personality
Hillman sources every element herself, even if it means waiting. At one point, the house lacked a sofa because she hadn’t yet found the right one. The first items she purchased weren’t furniture but sculptures from Thailand for her dining room niches.
Hillman also handpicked three dramatic fireplaces in Paris and Brussels, around which she custom-built hearths.
Her dedication extended to the most minor details. She once left a workout class to secure a white metal chandelier spotted at a yard sale. Some pieces were so large that she had to bring them in through the windows. For Hillman, the hunt was integral to the process.
Light, Color, and a Living Space That Evolves
The house’s design revolves around light, specifically the unique glow that fills the Hamptons.
“It’s why Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning were in the Hamptons. The light is spectacular, and it’s different from anywhere I’ve ever been,” Hillman explained.
She opted for dark floors and Benjamin Moore’s Cloud White walls, which now showcase vibrant modern art.
Hillman’s home also showcases imperfections. The ebony-stained pine floors, chosen for budget reasons, are soft and dented, yet guests assume they’re antique. The pool, placed far from the house to avoid wintertime views of a cover, is designed to resemble a pond.
“If you forget a towel, it’s not exactly right off the kitchen,” she said.
Where It All Began and Still Belongs
Over nearly three decades, little has changed structurally. “My son just got married, and now he shares his room with his wife,” Hillman noted. “It was pulling teeth to remove his hockey sticks and baby monkey chandelier.”
The only major change came during the pandemic when Hillman converted the old playroom into a home theater, which nearly caused a family uproar.
Now, Hillman is considering bathroom renovations. Even after 30 years, her first project satisfies its original “clients.”
She said, “I want to create beautiful dream homes for clients centered on who they are and how they live.”
