An Interview with Daniela, Founder of Hamptons Club and Hamptons Club Studio

Q: Daniela, where did the inspiration for Hamptons Club Studio begin?

It began with the ocean back in the 90's!

I have always been drawn to coastal living, the beaches, sailboats, weathered New England homes and that effortless elegance you find by the sea. Whether in the Hamptons, Nantucket, or along the New England coastline, there is a feeling of freedom and calm that has inspired everything I have created.

Q: Has the ocean always influenced your career?

Absolutely. Before founding Hamptons Club, I spent eight years as an officer aboard five star cruise ships, traveling the world and living at sea. Those experiences shaped my appreciation for coastal beauty, lifestyle and design. After leaving London, my husband Pete, our young daughter and I spent several wonderful years living on the beaches of Cornwall, where our connection to the sea became an even greater part of our daily lives. In 2009, we relocated to Austria to establish our Hamptons Club business.

That passion ultimately led to our Hamptons Club stores in Salzburg, where we introduced a unique American East Coast lifestyle experience to Austria. It wasn't just retail; it was about creating a world people could step into. The atmosphere was classic yet welcoming, elegant yet comfortable. It wasn't simply shopping, it was a lifestyle.

Q: You worked closely with Ralph Lauren. How did that influence your vision?

For over a decade, I had the privilege of bringing the brand into our stores and I was able to help launch Ralph Lauren Home for retail in Europe.

The biggest lesson I learned was that great design is about storytelling. Ralph Lauren creates entire worlds through design and that philosophy continues to inspire everything we do today.

"We were also incredibly fortunate to build a fantastic team who shared our vision and stood loyally by our side over the years. Their dedication, warmth and commitment helped create the special experience that made Hamptons Club so much more than a store, it became a community."

Q: Hamptons Club Studio has evolved far beyond retail. Tell us about that journey.

Over the years, our work expanded into residential and commercial interior design projects, creating homes, hospitality and retail spaces inspired by timeless coastal elegance. You can find some of our completed projects here.

We were also proud to serve as the official outfitter for the European Polo Championships and numerous prestigious polo events across Europe. The world of polo shares many of the values we love: heritage, craftsmanship, style and a relaxed yet refined way of living.

Eventually, my passion for interiors, art and coastal design naturally evolved into Hamptons Club Studio, where I could create artwork and collections that bring that feeling into people's homes.

Q: What do you hope people feel when they bring your artwork into their homes?

A sense of calm and escape.

Life moves quickly and our homes should be places where we can slow down, breathe and reconnect with what brings us joy. If my work can create even a small part of that feeling, then I have achieved my goal.

Q: After all these years, what continues to inspire you?

The same thing that inspired me from the very beginning: the timeless coastal lifestyle.

The ocean, the sense of freedom and the beauty of living well never lose their magic. They continue to guide every project, every artwork and every collection we create at Hamptons Club Studio.

Thank you for being part of our story.

With love,
Daniela x