Peter Marino cuts a memorable figure at Manhattan social events, where his omnipresent leather pants, leather cap, and bare arms are more Tom of Finland than Tom Wolfe. In the Hamptons, where he and his family have kept a weekend house since the mid-1990s, Marino lets his softer side out to play—even if the uniform remains the same.
He spends his afternoons tending to his garden, playing tennis, and visiting the local animal shelter. The architect, who has maintained a vibrant practice since the ’70s and specializes in super-sleek and art-filled boutiques for luxury brands like Tiffany & Co. and Chanel, is the guest editor of CULTURED’s second 2024 Hamptons issue. Here, he shares his favorite East End haunts.
I can’t not mention stopping at Chanel’s boutique on Newtown Lane or Louis Vuitton on Main Street in East Hampton.
Tennis East, a shop on 73 Main Street in Southampton. This is where I buy my rackets and get them restrung. Exercise is an important part of my routine; every weekend includes tennis.
The Milk Pail at 1346 Montauk Highway in Water Mill is a farm stand with a nice variety of local products. We like to buy fresh apple cider here in the fall, along with donuts and pies. A great place to go apple picking.
Herrick Hardware is at 41 Main Street in Southampton. Locally owned, it has anything you could be looking for—and we can always find what we need. The staff is friendly and helpful.
Marders, a plant nursery on Snake Hollow Road in Bridgehampton. I usually make a trip to Marders on Saturday mornings. Charlie Marder has been running this institution since the 1970s and knows so much. They have all sorts of flowering fruit trees and a garden shop, too.
For kids, Stevenson’s Toys & Games at 69 Jobs Lane in Southampton. This toy store is family-owned and has a large arts and crafts section. I used to take my daughter Isabelle here when she was little. Afterward, stop for ice cream at The Fudge Company down the street.
I’m very inspired by classical music and often treat my projects as a composer would approach the creation of a piece of music. Bridgehampton Chamber Music Festival hosts a delightful summer series of concerts around the East End. Listening to a piano quartet play Beethoven and Mozart on a warm summer night is heaven.
Nicholas Kilner at 197 Madison Street in Sag Harbor. I like to stop at this 20th-century Italian design gallery in case I see something for one of my clients. A desk from Kilner’s ended up in Tiffany Landmark, the Fifth Avenue flagship store I designed for the brand that opened last spring.
Peter Marino Art Foundation Bookstore at 11 Jobs Lane in Southampton. We sell my miniature bronze boxes, made in a forge in France, as well as a selection of art and photography books and unique objects that could make very cool hostess gifts or wedding presents.
ARF Thrift and Treasure Shop at 17 Poxabogue Lane in Sagaponack sells new and gently used furniture, home decor, and clothing to support the rescue of cats and dogs at the local ARF Adoption Center. I’m a longtime supporter of ARF and my daughter is on their board. Last summer, we spontaneously adopted two cats named Peter and Wendy, who are brother and sister. We have to call him “Peter-cat” for obvious reasons!
