Hamptons royalty Kelli Delaney Kot and husband Dr Mark Kot are famous in the region for their beautiful 1880 Water Mill farmhouse, Maple Shade.
When you think about a summer in the Hamptons, images of luxurious homes overlooking the ocean, beautiful garden parties and fabulous people come to mind. As the founder and editor in chief of KDHamptons: The Luxury Lifestyle Diary of the Hamptons, Kelli Delaney Kot is truly the “queen of the Hamptons”. She is renowned for her garden parties, beautiful Instagram images and enviable lifestyle.
Entertaining is Kelli’s calling card and she left NYC behind to move to the Hamptons 11 years ago when she married her husband, Dr Mark Kot, who owns a medical practice there. Located on the east end of Long Island, only one-and-a-half hours from Manhattan, or a mere 40-minute helicopter ride, if you’re so inclined.
The Hamptons is often referred to as the American Riviera, but this isn’t a sleepy little beach community. It is a dream destination with an interesting combination of people — writers, artists, top chefs, surfers, farmers, Hollywood actors and finance moguls. The landscape is equally unique, with rolling farms just minutes from breathtaking ocean beaches.
Kelli’s home decor is an inviting mix of antiques and curated collections, pieces acquired from far-flung destinations, Belgian linens and white oak furniture. “I love a blue and white palette and have lots of chinoiserie throughout our home” Kelli explains. It is breezy and sophisticated at the same time. The combination of crisp blue and white always feels effortlessly fresh and versatile, as it complements both traditional and modern home decor.
At Kelli’s famed events, you are likely to find a farm- to-table mouth-watering menu with signature cocktails, fabulous flowers, lavish tabletop decor and a great guest list. All of these should flow seamlessly together to create an unforgettable night. “I prefer to host more intimate, casual dinner parties where I can spoil my guests with decadent details, and they can relax and mingle,” says Kelli. “I never have formal, fussy events.”
Hamptonites want to have fun! Nobody wants to be stuck next to someone they don’t vibe with. Keep it casual and let guests sit where and with whom they choose. Kelli’s tablescapes always have a theme, either in terms of colour, pattern or trend. “I love to plot a fun party trick — last summer, I hosted a baby goat yoga party in my rose garden, which friends are still giggling about.“
One of the many rewards of being a Hamptons home gardener is that Kelli basically has her own floristry in her backyard. “Our property is hugged by rows of blue, white and pink hydrangea — 120 to be exact — and my parterre garden is full of peonies, roses, lupine and lilies, which can all stand alone in arrangements or complement each other in a mixed bouquet,” she says. Kelli rarely uses glass vases for arrangements and instead opts for porcelain ginger jars or vintage china that she has collected from Hamptons antique stores and estate sales. “When I first moved to the Hamptons, I dove into researching garden design, flowers and plants to see which suited my style.” It takes years to cultivate a gorgeous garden so manage your expectations if you are a budding gardener.
Kelli recently co-hosted the 2022 HOT LIST Party with LUX LIFESTYLE magazine founder and editor in chief, Colleen Guilfoile Richmond. HOT LIST award winners and guests came together to celebrate as they meandered through her flowering gardens toasting sparkling wine from Franciacorta and chilled rosé by Hamptons Water. “I love to write new features about interesting people, places, products and home design/garden trends in my columns for Hamptons Real Estate Showcase and for gorgeous, glossy magazine LUX LIFESTYLE for which I am editor at large.” Kelli’s Instagram is famous for showcasing her beautiful home and decor and is a must-follow for all who love the Hamptons style.
