Water Mill - Thousands will undoubtedly flock to David's Lane in Water Mill to view the design creations of some of the most talented interior designers and decorators in the world at the Ninth Annual Hampton Designer Showhouse which opened with a gala preview on Saturday, July 25, as this year there is an amazing mix of internationally recognized designers as well as a coterie of rising stars - some new to Hamptons audiences.

A flower filled gazebo by Dutch Petals.

An important fundraiser for the Southampton Hospital, the event has become one of the highlights of the social season thanks to the herculean efforts of The Hampton Designer Showhouse dynamic team of Marketing Chairman Tony Manning and the administration of Mary Lynch whose background as Director of Special Events at Southampton Hospital make her uniquely qualified to oversee the complex details of such a grand Showhouse.

This year Traditional Home Magazine is the Presenting Sponsor and is also celebrating its 20th year of bringing elegant design to the homes of millions. Co-Chairs for the event are Mildred C. Brinn, Mario Buatta and Jamie Drake. The event also honors the late Cathy di Montezemolo, a member of the Southampton Board of Directors and a vital part of the Hampton Design Showhouse for many years.

This year the Hampton Designer Showhouse is housed in an 11,000 square feet home built by custom home builder Joe Farrell, founder of Farrell Building Company, one of the area's most prestigious builders of extraordinary homes on the East End, in conjunction with architects McDonough and Conroy.

Colleen and Luke Ferran arrive to tour the showcase.

The sprawling home and pool house are situated on 1.5 acres with sweeping farm field views that seem to have popped out of a Van Gogh painting. As with all Farrell homes there is great attention to detail from the coffered ceilings of the entrance foyer to the state of the art technology employed to conserve energy and reduce maintenance costs.

The stunning foyer was executed by Greg Lanza of New York who artfully mixes classical traditional and modern furniture. Off the foyer, is the spacious dining room designed by Marshall Watson of New York and East Hampton, who is familiar to many for his design columns in the Southampton Press and his extensive work on the East End. Watson mixed it up as well with vintage and antique furniture. A masculine exotic Kumbuck table was surrounded by Spanish turned chair. Each of the chairs was topped with a personalized line slip – a neat twist on place cards!

At the suggestion of realtor Marc Raboy of the Corcoran Group and his husband fitness expert and fitness author Jon Giswold we searched out Brad Ford's contemporary twist on Grandma's old screened porch. Brad, who has been featured in a number of local and national publications, is truly one of the new breed of great interior designers this year. Raboy praised him saying, "His work is clean and comforting, and he creates a light and whimsical atmosphere within an airy setting." One had to agree with him on entering the still sundrenched room with Parsons-style porch swings hanging on chains from the ceiling in front of a cozy fireplace. No surprise he was selected by New York Magazine as one of the "10 New Designers to Watch."

Designer Jana Bullock in her wooded guest room.

On to the kitchen and breakfast room, one can see the practiced hand of Denise Rinfret in her elegant and refined style. The author of such design guides as "Decorating on a Dime" and "Breaking the Rules," she combined a little bit of both ideas in decorating the room - accenting it with gorgeous antiques from Ann Madonia on Jobs Lane, English Country Antiques and Mecox Gardens.

On the lower level of the enormous house there is a veritable warren of dens, billiard rooms and guest bedrooms, each with a very distinct design perspective. Carrier and Company Interiors' Jesse Carrier and Mara Miller created a casual but stylish room that would be a magnet for friends and family. An antique billiards table dominates the room with colorful Kilim covered chairs to plop in and all wrapped in a warming red grass wall covering.

Down the hall is a woodland fantasy guest/sitting room in which texture and natural materials are the keynotes. The Russian born designer Jana Bullock whose work spans Europe, Russia and the United States created an environment almost storybook in nature with a softly flowing waterfall outside the window, willow lounge chairs and a bed made entirely of various types of recycled woods to a crazy quilt effect that was not jarring but quite soothing. Piles of colorful pillows from H. Groome atop the bed and chairs added to the comfy factor. Floors were covered with wood "rugs" in a similar fashion.

Designers Jesse Carrier and Mara Miller in the billiard room.

Walking up the beautifully sculpted staircase lined with "family photos" by famed photographer Lucille Khornak, guests had a lovely view of the entranceway. On the second floor were the master bedrooms and sitting rooms - all with splendid views of the barley field behind the property. Jeff Lincoln laid out an elegant multi-purpose space that could function as an extra bedroom, office or sitting room. Billy Baldwin's classic daybed was just waiting for someone to kick off their slippers for an afternoon read in the relaxing environment filled with an eclectic array of new and antique pieces.

Southampton's Franco Biscardi and Brian Brady of Brady Design created a mater bedroom that is rich and elegant with accents like an ebony day bed that was evocative of old Hollywood glamour lit by an exquisite Murano glass chandelier.

Show house first-timers Benjamin Bradley and David Thiergartner brought a tailored traditionalism to the Junior Master Suite with muted Stark carpets and fine art gracing the walls worthy of any fine home in the estate section.

For the Junior Guest Suite Wayne Nathan and Carol Egan of Nathan Egan Interiors of New York drew inspiration from Montauk with a beach house feel to the furniture and textiles. A Nakashima bed and a mid-century modern Brazilian chair are complemented by the use of African textiles throughout.

The massive Joe Farrell house for the Hampton Design Showhouse.

Across the lawn of the property stands a lovely gazebo that local floral suppliers Dutch Petals had transformed into a colorful floral escape. But it was the pool house – the size of many starter homes – that caught everyone's admiration. Jan Stein turned to her husband Marty and said, "Forget the big house. I'd be very happy with this." Her words were echoed by many who strolled through the two-story house complete with artist's studio overlooking the broad fields.

Allow yourself more than a quick visit as this is truly one of the best showcases for contemporary and traditional design in the country.

The Showhouse hours will be Monday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Children under six, infants, strollers and pets are not allowed in the Showhouse. Admission to the Ninth Annual Hampton Designer Showhouse is $30 and includes the Showhouse Journal, a complete guide to the rooms, design resources and contact information.