'Tour Décor' to Benefit Breast Cancer Research

Hamptons “Tour Décor” for Breast Cancer: A Tour of Exceptional Homes and Gardens in the Hamptons was created by Wainscott resident Samantha Daniels in honor of her mother, Donna Daniels, who passed away from the disease. The tour, which takes place on Saturday, August 20, will includes stops at some of the most notable and exquisite homes in Water Mill, Bridgehampton, Sagaponack and East Hampton.

Daniels, a professional matchmaker and author, says, “I think that, because we’re in the Hamptons for enjoyment, we sometimes forget about the problems that still exists, that people are still dying from breast cancer. This event will bring both things together—enjoyment and awareness for a good cause.”

She explains that there will be a Rubrum Lily, Donna’s favorite, in a vase at each home on the tour. “People will go and see all these beautiful things, and hopefully it will help them realize what’s important in life.”

Highlights of the tour will include an elegantly designed estate featuring an underground grotto, as well as a country castle with an imported barn from the 19th century. “The whole day will be a highlight. I’m a professional matchmaker, and what I did here is the same thing I do when I’m matching people. All of the places are unique in their own way and touch on all the different things that people enjoy about homes and gardens, but they all compliment each other,” explains Daniels. For VIPs there will also be a bonus house that’s a 50-acre compound with a petting zoo, in-ground trampoline, basketball court and its own lake. “We’ll be going to one of the nicest homes in the Hamptons. The second you drive in you’re in awe. We’ll be having cocktails and light bites. It’s an unbelievable piece of property.”

Proceeds from Tour Décor will benefit the Dubin Breast Center of the Tisch Cancer Institute at Mount Sinai Hospital. “I think this center is at the forefront of great care for breast cancer,” Daniels says. She’s particularly interested in research that helps clarify what it means to test positive or negative for a particular gene. “I like the idea of doing more research into the BRCA gene, because if you’re found positive or negative, it’s still not definitive as to whether or not you’re getting the disease.”

Daniels couldn’t think of a better place than the Hamptons to have her home and garden tour. “I’ve been coming to the Hamptons for more than 20 years, and I’m continually in awe of the beauty and the homes that are hidden here. This tour is a labor of love for me.” And everyone will have a chance to enjoy the fruits of that labor. “I love that the event appeals to all different kinds of people in the Hamptons. It’s for people who love seeing fabulous homes and gardens, people who are redecorating, older people, younger people, and I like that it’s a nice afternoon event.”

Attendees will receive a map of the homes and have five hours, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., to explore all the stops on the tour, staying for as long as they’d like at each home. VIP ticket holders will view the bonus home at 4 p.m.

“I think this tour is the perfect event to get out there and live, but at the same time keep in mind that it’s a good cause that we need to be focused on,” says Daniels.

Tour Décor for Breast Cancer takes place on Saturday, August 20, with a rain date for Sunday, August 21. For more information visit hamptonstourdecor.com.