Walking into photographer Philippe Cheng‘s airy house in the Hamptons that he shares with wife (and talented artist) Bastienne Schmidt and their two sons, immediately makes you feel welcome and that this is a family home. Double doors that are usually kept open in the warmer months lead right into a two story family and dining room. As you come in you also have a view straight through to the other side of the house with glass doors showing off the views of the serene setting surrounding their idyllic home.  As you turn to their private spaces though you are lead through a long hall filled with black and white photographs that tell their family story. All framed in bleached wood frames with white mats, these photos make a statement and bring forth memory after memory that inspires the family to share stories with their guests. Baby photos, photos of grandparents, parents, marriages, friends- they bring life and heart to the home. Joyful times like framed snaps from a photo booth of when Philippe and Bastienne first met, prompt the couple to excitedly recount their story. Having all these photos surround them every day seems to me quite romantic. Warm feelings fill the home from having these personal photos on display. Why hide them all in an album? Let them speak and tell your family story. Philippe photographed my family this past year and I have yet to hang them- but their wall was so inspirational I’m working on framing my own family history to be displayed in our hallway. So beautiful- thank you Philippe and Bastienne for sharing your home with us. (Please take a moment to view Philippe and Bastienne’s websites and work- you might also be inspired to purchase something for your own home from their collections of photography and artwork.)