- Surfboards lined up along the garage of a Newport, Rhode Island, estate, welcome the arrival of summer and the time to take it easy. Photo by Oberto Gili.
The American home is the American Dream, a reflection of our heritage – from our pioneer roots to the classic charm of our colonial past. As we became affluent we adopted an appreciation for leisure and “the good life”, building and designing vacation retreats to escape to for rest and relaxation. For many these vacation homes epitomize the American Dream – our belief in life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, and that hard work pays off. Looking ahead to the most American of holidays I honor this American spirit, realized in the welcoming retreats we create for ourselves, family and friends. Wishing you all a very happy and safe Fourth of July!
A portrait of the Kennedy family at their compound in Hyannis Port, 1935. Seated from left are: Patricia Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, Rose Kennedy, John F Kennedy, Joseph P Kennedy Sr. with Edward Kennedy on his lap; standing from left are: Joseph P Kennedy Jr., Kathleen Kennedy, Rosemary Kennedy, Eunice Kennedy, and Jean Kennedy.
John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline being interviewed by LIFE Magazine, 1953. Photo by Hy Peskin.
John F. Kennedy, Jacqueline Kennedy, and Edward Kennedy play football on the lawn, 1953. Photo by Ron Galella.
A shingle-style home on Martha’s Vineyard by From Ferguson & Shamamian.
Easy-going American traditional style in a shingle-style house in Newport, Rhode Island, designed by architect Ronald F. DiMauro. Photo by Oberto Gili.
Scott Currie’s weekend house in Southampton. Photo by Roger Davies.
An outdoor room in the Hamptons designed by Jeffrey Bilhuber. Photo by William Abranowicz.
Chessy Rayner’s summer house photographed by Karen Radkai.
Keith McNally’s farmhouse in Martha’s Vineyard. Photo by Simon Upton.
Bruce Weber and Nan Bush’s Longwood camp on Spitfire Lake in the Adirondacks.
Kate Moss enjoys a quiet moment with friends at Camp Longwood’s mountainside pool cabin, a favorite escape of both guests and hosts.
The main cabin’s living area at Camp Longwood. Photo by Bruce Weber.
Dream, one of the golden retriever residents of Camp Longwood, pilots a Penn Yan boat. Photo by Bruce Weber.
RL Ranch in Colorado. Photography by Björn Wallander.
RL Ranch in Colorado. Photography by Björn Wallander.
Architect Paul Gray’s Nantucket beach house, circa 1979. Photo by Charles S. White.
Melvin Dwork’s vacation home, 1987. Architectural Digest.
Kaaren Parker Gray’s carriage house in New England. Photo by Jacques Dirand.
Stephen Sills and James Huniford for Nan Swid in the Southampton.
The Ralph Lauren’s Montauk retreat. Photo by Pieter Estersohn.
Miles Redd’s easy, breezy retreat on Fire Island. From The Big Book of Chic.
Meg Ryan’s home on Martha’s Vineyard designed by Marsha Russell. Photo by William Waldron.
The Dutchess County home of Calvin Klein Home executive Amy Mellen. Photo by William Waldron.
Darryl Carter’s Virginia farmhouse. Photo by Simon Upton.
James Huniford’s weekend retreat. Photo by Pieter Estersohn.
The Sag Harbor home of Steven Gambrel.
Ralph Pucci’s Hampton’s home, decorated by Vicente Wolf. Photo by William Waldron.
Ralph Pucci’s deck overlooking the coast of the Hamptons. Photo by William Waldron.
A closed-in porch designed by Timothy Haynes and Kevin Roberts for a Hamptons beach house. Photo by Simon Upton.
