Astier Preserves a Piece of East Hampton History

East Hampton has long proven its historic value with treasured monuments and properties that have earned their right to be preserved. Longtime local Jackie Astier demonstrates true beauty and adulation in her refurbished house that was once The Riding Club of East Hampton. “Casual and precise,” this property is a sacred gem to the community.

The property is a landmarked historic building dating back to 1752. Once owned by stage, screen and radio actor Frank Lovejoy, it earned Astier an award for restoration and preservation from the Village Preservation Society of East Hampton with applaud to her victory of keeping the house’s bones intact and highlighted. Modernizing every inch of the house to bring its soul into active fruition was the ultimate trajectory of the assignment.

Opening the space and making the ceilings cathedral style was a must for this house that is a “little big house,” as Astier refers to it. Structural stabilization was essential when refurbishing the property as was updating the electrical.

“It was a serious project,” she said. “We exposed the beams, and I wanted to celebrate the integrity of the age of the property. My design direction was a Scandinavian barn vibe, and I didn’t want to get too busy with patterns and wallpapers. I wanted it to feel like a part of the new and the old.”

Exposed beams throughout were elevated during the construction period to bring expanse while keeping the original details and desirable charm. Extending the height of these elements gives a further expanded breadth to the eye and is conventionally mastered for comfortable living.

While one is continuing the maintenance of a landmark historic structure, the element of surprise should never be underestimated. “We found a wall full of seaweed during the renovation process that was used as insulation way back when,” Astier said.

The original floors are still embedded in the house and were quite the undertaking to be rejuvenated. Appropriately, they were stripped out, leveled and whitewashed to give them a lifted and light appearance while keeping a quaint charisma.

A tribute to local artists is sprinkled throughout the house, supporting and caring for the diverse Hamptons community.

A large chandelier that was sourced in Paris has traveled with Astier around the world to different residences and is a grand and voluminous touch, one that seeks infinite praise. It hangs above a large farm table, the interaction between the two pieces balancing simplicity, intricacy and strength.

A large marble farm sink that Astier sourced was the first point of design for the kitchen, and the remaining construction relied on being a complementary and appropriate adhesive addition. Astier being an avid chef and someone who takes pride in entertaining, this is a sanctified room in the house that is put to frequent use.

The two main sitting rooms speak to each other from around the expansive fireplaces and sing praise to contrasting forms of design. Without competing for an attentive presence, a set of white Vladimir Kangen kidney sofas wrapped in Noblis French boucle textile elucidate their wise stance of historic value with a large secretary dividing them that brings unknown camouflage to the room with a hidden television within.

Pillows that originate from Turkey adorn the suede Bellini loveseats and give exposure to a diverse and educated arrangement.

“I could lose myself in adding layers and depth to design so easily, so it was a study in restraint to pull the reins back and stick to neutrals,” Astier said. “This house works for all seasons. It has a really warm feeling in the winter with the big fireplace roaring and cashmere throws, to being fresh and perfect for summer.”

White and illuminate, all the walls bare a clean canvas for the selected and assorted decor. Astier devotedly dedicated a lot of time and effort into revitalizing the property with great intention to segregate the bedrooms for privacy.

Original windows are consistent in each room and complement the restored lockers that were used when it was a riding club. Paying tribute to the history, noted touches of velvet riders helmets that dress the mantlepiece summon a correlation of past and present.

Walk-in showers are a spacious touch that give ease and enjoyment for guests, which Astier undoubtedly expects during the summer season.

“The main passion being a part of the enclaves we call the Hamptons is to not only respect those who came before us but to truly experience the full local flavors, which include the arts, the farm and their produce, the fishermen and their catches, the local cheeses, the beaches and sunset, the famous light found only here on the East End and most importantly how we mix them all together and share with family and friends,” Astier said.

Injecting a reawakened energy of life is evidently the discovered reality for this house. With a heightened voltage of tranquility and Scandinavian influence, Astier has saved a piece of Hamptons history.