WELCOME TO THE
The Bamboo House was built in 1966 by architect Horace Gifford for my grandfather, Paul McGregor, legendary hairdresser to the stars. ‘Poppie’ as I called him retired to the Fire Island Pines where he spent his days making art, eventually transforming the house itself into a bamboo masterpiece.
This spring I quit my corporate job to revamp the house with my best friends from design school. Each project honors my grandfather’s creative spirit and carries his legacy forward. Come on in.
<3 August
The Redesign
We each put our lives on pause to move into the Bamboo House for a two month residency. We went room by room creating art, furniture and decor to bring my grandfather’s eclectic style back into the space. At moments it felt like we were collaborating directly with him. Most of my grandfather’s work was created from found objects around the island. In this same spirit, we didn’t buy anything new—sourcing everything second hand, upcycling what was already in the house and even finding items around the island. Our motto was ‘The house is the canvas’ with no material or idea being off limits.
Storybook couch with painted stories, family lore, and inside jokes
Hand painted headboard made of mini canvas pillows
Appliqué embroidery headboard inspired by a Paul McGregor piece
Hand stitched headboard & custom lampshades with beach glass found on the island
Custom built-in with denim cushions made with jeans from friends & loved ones
Built-in with custom leopard print pattern inspired by an old Paul McGregor logo, silk chandelier & abstract painting
LIFE AT THE BAMBOO HOUSE
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LIFE AT THE BAMBOO HOUSE ~
Meet the Bamboo Team
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August West
Creative Director
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Lærke Lilleund
Textile Designer
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Grace Brese
Product & Accesory Designer
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Hana Hart
Graphic Designer
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Fiona Gorman
Filmmaker & Photographer
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Blayne Planit
Fine Artist
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“The Horace Gifford Beach House Rescued by Art-School Friends”
— Wendy Goodman for NY Mag’s Curbed Magazine
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"Would You Paint Your Couch? How Six Friends Transformed a RH Sofa"
— Kelly Allen for House Beautiful
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How to Use the “One Weird Thing Rule” to Make Any Room Feel More Interesting
— Trends on The Interior Collective
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"Bringing the bohemian Fire Island house back to life–one piece of bespoke art at a time."
— Framebridge Artist Spotlight
