Hamptons Hideaway
From a distinctive setting to carefully chosen pieces, our homes say a lot about who we are. The Welcome Home series is our chance to ask inspiring people how they created a space they love.
Tucked close to the water in East Hampton, Caroline Z. Hurley's home is filled with windows, natural light, and a view from nearly every room. A painter and textile designer, Caroline lives here with her husband and their two kids. "The whole house fills with a pink glow, and it feels like magic."
The house began as a retreat designed for guests to slow down, surrounded by her fabrics and close to the water. When the Eaton Fire changed the family's plans, it became their permanent home.
Here, Caroline talks about creative life by the ocean, the daily rituals that ground her, and what it means to finally live somewhere that feels exactly right.
Tell us about your textile business.
In 2012 I inadvertently started a textile business in my painting studio. I started block printing in a corner of my studio and it took over my world. I sold to everyone I knew, which turned into selling at trade shows, and then my business took a turn after a fateful collaboration with Schumacher. Now I exclusively sell and make fabric by the yard, of all varieties including block prints, screen prints, and wovens. Alongside the business, I've always painted, and now with the help of Schumacher I can focus exclusively on designs and paintings without getting into the weeds with production, distribution, and marketing. That's been a true gift, especially with two small kids in tow.
Tell us the story behind the Hamptons home.
My original goal was to get a property that would act as a rental for folks to experience the CZH brand. I've always loved the idea of home and the grounded feeling it gives me, so the goal was to create a retreat for people to ground into themselves with the help of an environment in nature that promotes connection to self and creativity. Then, in a strange twist of fate, our original plan to move to LA was shattered when our home burned down in the Eaton Fire. So instead of moving west, we decided to use East Hampton as our full residence. As we figure out our next steps as a family, it's been a tremendous relief to have a space that helps me feel my calmest, best self. I have been more authentically creative and content since moving into the home full time.
What's your favourite thing about your home?
Because it's close to the water and tucked away so that no one can really see it, you feel safe and connected to nature. I feel I can experience the outdoors inside. It’s filled with windows and light, and every room has a nice view. The sunsets on the water are really spectacular.
Where do you find creative inspiration these days?
I love walking on the beach near our home and soaking in the colours and the fresh ocean air. The paintings I'm working on currently are very much about the outdoors.
