The Downeys first got to know Nahem two summers ago when they stayed at the idyllic country home in Amagansett that the designer and his partner, Jeffrey Fields, share. Susan remembers, “We fell in love with the place’s aesthetic right away. “Entering a designer’s home is like cooking in a chef’s own kitchen,” said one author. You truly come to understand who they are.
The couple called Nahem and Fields to set up a meeting since they were so taken by the decor. “We went to lunch, and by the end of the meal, we knew we loved these guys,” Robert claims. The knowledge that Joe, Jeff, and Robert all have the same birthday was one of the many lucky signs of a successful friendship. Spooky.
Nahem was unable to spend much time celebrating his successful pairing. Thankfully, Nahem and his crew were able to return to the house and start the remodeling in earnest after the holiday season was over. The arrangement of the living room, which is located right past the octagonal entry foyer at the base of the windmill, was one of the major adjustments.
The living room was sunk several feet to anchor the transitional space and give it a stronger feeling of place. The wraparound fireplace wall was created by ceramic artist Peter Lane. Working with Joe is enjoyable in part because Robert can share his enthusiasm for connecting with these extraordinarily gifted artists.
Redesigning the pool area to fit the Downeys’ concept of simple, carefree outdoor pleasure was another significant aspect of the remodeling. In contrast to the previous plan, which had the guesthouse serve as both a swimming cabana and a dining area, Nahem and Alveary.
Architecture created a freestanding poolside pavilion that included a dining area centered on a mosaic-topped table, an outdoor living area and bar, and a television that was nearly as big as the multiplex’s screens. Susan says, “We now spend the entire day there, hanging out with the kids and our friends. It also drove me crazy that the old pool was left in the midst of the grass. I detested stepping onto soggy grass. Joe was kind enough to build me a real deck.
Regarding the house’s interiors, the Downeys and their designer came to an amicable agreement on the mix: Pedigreed pieces and unassuming off-the-rack basics, cheerful hues and calming neutrals, oddball touches and covert luxuries are all popular fashion trends. It’s an odd collection that speaks to the actor’s sardonic nature, his wife’s worries for convenience and effectiveness, and Nahem’s skill in designing perfectly practical dwellings with a hint of otherworldly magic.