A 1970s East Hampton bungalow gets a fresh and functional upgrade—without ever losing its history and charm.
In the kitchen, Thomas Hayes Studio bar stools mingle with the custom stone countertops and island, while Farrow & Ball’s Pigeon paint grounds the space.
THE CLIENT
On the East End, inspiration is everywhere. From rolling sand dunes and endless horizons to the Hamptons’ signature shingle homes and iconic hedged walls, the playful yet polished surroundings inevitably influence how we live. Take, for example, the recently completed East Hampton home by Ryann Swan Design (ryannswandesign.com) owner and principal designer Ryann Swan Hackett—who is well-versed in carefully curating breathable spaces with down-to-earth aesthetics. She was called upon by the clients to refresh a historic 1970s abode, while preserving its original ethos. “Both the husband and wife are busy professionals and have two young children,” shares Hackett. “They needed someone they could trust to manage the design and renovation in a manner that kept the dynamic of the family top of mind while still executing a thoughtful and chic design.”
The den has a relaxed yet sophisticated feel, featuring navy built-ins and custom herringbone flooring with a brass inlay.
THE PRIORITY
When asked about the focus of this 18-month project, words like organic, layered and playful float around. “The ultimate goal was to create a family-friendly, functional space that still felt fresh and inspired,” she explains. “The house is situated on lush landscaping and beautiful surrounding property, so we wanted to stay true to its nod to organic shapes, patterns and textures throughout the home.” Leaning into the property’s original charm—while infusing modern elements and details—Hackett set out on her quest to create an approachable home for the family of four.
“I included Casey McCafferty’s sculptural coffee table in our initial concept deck, and was so excited to see it executed in the final design,” says Ryann Swan Hackett. “His work is stunning and pairs so nicely with our concept for the home.”
THE CHALLENGE
“The 1970s-era bungalow sits on an amazing street and is a stunning piece of property in East Hampton,” Hackett shares. The problem? Modernizing the historical home while staying true to its roots. “Instead of tearing down and rebuilding the residence, they wanted to keep the casual bungalow feel of the property. It was our task to maintain the feeling of intimacy in the home while stripping out some of the tragic design decisions that had been made through the years.”
“Rather than adding a dining table in the corner of the kitchen, we crafted the space to be a lounge environment instead of another dining room (as the dining is adjacent to the kitchen as is),” Hackett explains. “A nod to the couple’s youth at various NYC night venues, the concept was to have a space where friends could lounge and enjoy a cocktail and relax while the hosts were prepping dinner.”
THE DETAILS
“It’s quite rare to find a piece of property like this in East Hampton,” says Hackett of the 3,500-square-foot home—complete with four beds and 4 ½ baths, we might add. “The garden is magnificent, and we used it to set the tone for the interiors. We incorporated natural elements throughout the design and pulled nods to the exterior through material patterns, textures and tones.” In the kitchen, Farrow & Ball’s Pigeon (think pale green with gray undertones) adorns the cabinets, while stone countertops and a custom island complement the room. “The stone has a beautiful, almost-purple veining that offsets the green, and with the brass and nickel accents, it just came together beautifully.” Moving to the mudroom, you’ll spy navy blue vertical shiplap panels that pay homage to the home’s seaside location, and in the living room, small, delicate details showcase the manse’s environmental aesthetic. “The custom fireplace that I designed has to be a favorite moment of mine,” she gushes. “The wife and I fell in love with the Calacatta turquoise stone, and it was a treat to have such a stunning stone featured in the family’s main gathering space.”
THE OUTDOORS
Heading out back, the lawn sets the scene for summer soirees and lazy mornings lounging on the patio. “For the outdoor space, we wanted to create a communal area that could be used for family time and entertaining.” She continues, “We opted for a covered alfresco setup with a formal dining table that fosters all of the above. The indoor-meets- outdoor spaces are intended to seamlessly connect, so we created seating groups that can flow back and forth when the sliding doors are open on warm summer nights.”
Surrounded by enviable landscape and architectural design, this home is tucked away from the hustle and bustle of East Hampton. Outside, the family dines alfresco under the covered patio, featuring a Restoration Hardware table and Four Hands chairs.
THE OUTCOME
Leaving no stone unturned, Hackett’s signature touch is thoughtfully woven throughout the space—creating a harmonious blend of history and character from the original property with modern and functional pieces fine-tuned for the family of four. Its outdoor influence and personality-packed moments add layers of warmth and comfort to the home, transforming the space into a charming abode that simultaneously keeps its grounding and leaves room to grow.
DESIGN DETAILS
TYPE
Single-family home
LOCATION
East Hampton
INTERIOR DESIGN
Ryann Swan Design
ryannswandesign.com
RESOURCES
RH
Hallway console table and outdoor dining table
rh.com
Visual Comfort
Kitchen island pendants, living room
wall sconces, mudroom flush mount
and outdoor sconces
Thomas Hayes Studio
Kitchen bar stools
Labrica
Kitchen lounge tables
Atelier de Troupe
Kitchen lounge flush-mount
chandelier
Homenature
Den sectional sofa
Casey McCafferty
Living room coffee table
Lulu and Georgia
Living room rug
Farrow & Ball
Paint throughout
