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This implied a need for casualness and flexibility but, she observes, "I wanted the house to have a very structured, sculptural feel."

For inspiration, Mimi and Di Cicco Vinci looked to the West Coast, specifically to the works of Richard Neutra, Rudolph Schindler and other modernists. Certain signature elements of the California modern style—a cantilevered roof, lots of glass, rectilinear forms—do make an appearance, and the quartzite of the façade was specially cut to the proportions of that period (1950-60s). However, Di Cicco Vinci says, "We didn't want to be slavish to it." So the architect tweaked the model in interesting ways. Cedar cladding, a staple material out west, went on horizontally rather than vertically, emphasizing the "long and lean" profile Mimi wanted. The ceiling in the main living area is also higher than you'd expect.

Even the use of glass was adapted to the peculiarities of the location: Hamptons hurricane and energy-efficient building codes limit the amount of glass that can be used on new constructions and the shallow setback from the occasionally noisy road makes glass an impractical choice for privacy. The architects responded to both restrictions by reserving glass primarily for the back of the house, thus effectively walling off sounds from the street and opening the residence to the backyard (through 14-foot-wide storefront glass-and-steel doors), where most activity usually happens.

Thoughtfulness of materials is the main theme inside. Mimi wanted monochromatic spaces that evoke the seaside locale. For the kitchen's inner wall, Di Cicco Vinci suggested a silver travertine marble with a figuration, according to Mimi, that "was so much like the ocean, with those pale blues, beiges and grays." Plywood was slightly bleached to look like driftwood and used on three kitchen islands. Kitchen storage is restricted to the islands and the wall. "I didn't want to have any visible above-counter wall cabinets," says Di Cicco Vinci. Mimi adds, "I'm very clutter-free: all clean surfaces and everything behind closed doors. There may be a mess, but you won't see it."