This was no ordinary project for interior designer Jessie Schuster. Designing a home for her sister meant honoring history and weaving childhood memories into a design that needed to feel as emotionally resonant as it was beautiful.
The house itself – a shingle-style property dating from the early 1900s, complete with a guest and pool house – had fallen into quiet decline over the decades, with many of the original features covered up. The house is surrounded by lush gardens and mature trees and imbued with a relaxed coastal atmosphere that feels both refined and unpretentious. Jessie knew she wanted to preserve the architectural soul of the place and establish a dialogue between the home’s historic framework and a more modern way of living.
Exterior: The shingle-style property was built in the early 1900s. River seating, Manutti. Custom limestone coffee tables, Jessica Schuster Design. Pouffe, Paola Lenti
'Inspired by East Hampton's unique combination of coastal ease and sophistication, rather than impose a completely new identity, we stripped back layers of previous interventions and highlighted the beautiful bones, intricate millwork, and architectural details that already existed, allowing us to reconnect with the home’s history in a meaningful way,' says Jessie. 'From there, the goal was to soften some of the formality through furniture, art, and materials.'
Family Room: Texture and materiality are what give the schemes depth and character. Custom sofa, Jessica Schuster Design; in Losanges, Le Manach. Custom cushions in Tulipan, Tibor and Sherpas Melange, all Loro Piana. Vintage coffee table, Axel Vervoordt. Custom rug, Beauvais Carpets. Stool, vintage
Before any design decisions were made, Jessie and her sister spent time walking the property, reflecting on its history and revisiting memories of summers spent in Nantucket as children. Sensory touchstones – the scent of cedar, the sound of a screen door and barefoot summers – became the foundation for the home’s new identity.
The result is a restrained yet inviting color palette, with bolder moments emerging through the art. 'Art served as a guiding force throughout the project,' explains Jessie, who worked alongside Art Advisor Margot Bram. 'The collection includes works by Robert Rauschenberg, Robert Mangold, Arlene Shechet, Issy Wood and Peter Beard. Most of the artwork was sourced through a combination of trusted galleries, dealers, antique fairs and long-standing relationships with collectors and artisans. The mix of contemporary art, vintage furniture and handcrafted objects gives the home its layered, soulful quality.'
Kitchen: The pared-back palette enhances the home’s architectural features. Artwork by Donald Sultan. Woven stools, Design Frères. Cabinetry in Tallow, Farrow & Ball
The overall effect feels calm and cohesive, allowing the architecture and natural light to take center stage. 'Natural materials were essential to creating warmth and authenticity throughout the property,’ explains Jessie. 'We incorporated oak, wicker, stone, linen, wool, performance textiles and unlacquered finishes that will continue to develop character over time. They help ground the interiors and create a sense of permanence.'
Breakfast Nook: Bathed in natural light, this sunny spot combines buttery tones and woven French chairs to create a space that feels both relaxed and refined. Vintage pendant, Paavo Tynell. Custom table, Jessica Schuster Design
With a large, multigenerational family, Jessie’s sister wanted a retreat that could comfortably accommodate both everyday living and frequent large-scale entertaining, while feeling effortless to live in.
'Comfort, functionality and flexibility were essential,' says Jessie. 'One specific request was to avoid heavy patterning, which led us to explore depth through texture, color, art and materiality instead. The collaborative process allowed us to create something that felt deeply personal while remaining true to the home’s character.'
Primary Bedroom: A window seat is the perfect place to watch the world go by. Custom bed, Jessica Schuster Design; in fabric by Rose Tarlow. Rope bedside tables, Christian Astuguevieille. Pendant light by Poul Henningsen
The scale of the project meant coordinating renovations across the main house, guest house, pool house and gardens simultaneously, which required an enormous amount of collaboration and precision.
'Thankfully, working alongside builder John Hummel and landscape designer Perry Guillot made the process remarkably seamless,' says Jessie. 'Managing such a broad scope within a demanding timeline required constant coordination, but watching the various layers come together – from architecture and landscape to art and furnishings – was immensely rewarding. By the end, it felt less like a decorated house and more like a home that had naturally evolved over generations.'
Sunroom: Overlooking the pool and gardens, this space blurs the boundaries between indoors and outdoors and captures the relaxed spirit of East Hampton living. The French daybed is vintage. Tables, Roger Capron. Woven lounge chairs, Bielecky Brothers.
Despite its scale and architectural significance, there is nothing precious about this family home. Every space invites use, whether that’s gathering with family, hosting guests, reading in a quiet corner or spending time outdoors. It functions as a true retreat – beautiful, welcoming and deeply practical. The result is a home that feels calm, timeless and quietly sophisticated – a place where family life unfolds with ease against a backdrop of thoughtful design and enduring character.
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