Susan Cappa's Serene East Hampton Home

Susan Cappa has enhanced her East Hampton abode with a classic and serene elegance that stays true to the rustic roots of the house. In a tempting and refreshing central location, Cappa has balanced a life enjoying the town’s amenities and taking time to check out and unwind. Cappa dove into the history of her residence and the sentimental aspects that make her house a home.

Tristan Dyer: Talk to me about the history of the property and what structural advancements you made.

Susan Cappa: The house was a fisherman’s home from around 1880-1890, updated in the ’70s. I ultimately gut renovated the home — changing the entrance, adding access to a basement inside and outside, opening up ceilings with the intention to keep the old charm with a more modern feel. Overall, I didn’t change much of the original footprint except removed lots of doors — something old homes had — to give it air. I played into the original vibe of the home. A previous owner had moved barn doors from a chicken coop placed on the outside, which I made into the main entrance, so the cottage has a bit of that farmhouse aesthetic.

TD: Having such a grounded career in fashion, tell me a little about your journey in the industry.

SC: I’ve spent most of my career on the media side of fashion with at various times consulting in branding and marketing and working with every major luxury brand and broader fashion brands. The industry changes so much it has been a “journey” to evolve along with those changes.

TD: What do you consider your design style to be and where do you gain influence?

SC: My grandmother had a great sense of style, and I think of her a lot when I place things in my home. I purchase pieces and artwork that I love, that’s the main focus, and I like to mix up styles (i.e. old with new) — that’s something my grandmother did so well.

TD: Hone in on some of your treasured art, artifacts and furniture and tell me about their history.

SC: Almost all the artwork is by artists I personally know or have met, so that creates a different feeling as I look at the work. My favorite furniture piece is the customized work station in the kitchen. Dean Isidro, a photographer friend who helped me with my home (he found most of the pieces that are “old”), had it made for me. I knew I didn’t want an “island” and we both jumped at this French worktable on 1stDibs; and I was ready to buy it until we realized the shipping costs were significant (and more than the piece itself). Dean ultimately had it made for me, copying that piece we both loved.

TD: With textures and colors making such an apparent stamp in a space, what wallpapers and paint colors did you choose to apply in the residence and why?

SC: Paint colors are overly simple and might be something I redo at some point. Wallpapers are the most feminine thing in my home — I think that is also something from my grandmother.

TD: With the kitchen being a central focus, is it something you value and utilize?

SC: Everyone always hangs in a kitchen, right? There was a crawl space above the kitchen ceiling. I kept the entrance to it so you can peep through on the stairs. With that and changing what was the entranceway into an area for dining, this room became the grand space in the house. I’m not a chef, but anyone, including me, is inspired to cook in this kitchen. The dining table is my work place, and as the room spills into the den, it makes this the most used part of the home.

TD: Is entertaining a part of your routine in this house or is it purely a place to unwind?

SC: Given my work current schedule, it’s been more the latter — a place to breathe. But that was different during COVID — I had lots of guests and dinner parties — and it will change again soon as work dies down.

TD: What do you believe completes a room in a home and what do you think are important accents to a space?

SC: I like a room that has the eye move around from object to object; some think it’s too many things, but it’s all carefully placed. All of that coming together creates a feeling that’s very personal.

TD: What do you love most about your home and what makes it special to you?

SC: The light was the first thing I saw in the original home, and I was careful and grateful not to lose that in the renovation.

TD: Living centrally in East Hampton Town, how do you utilize your free time and the local amenities?

SC: To be able to walk to town and nearby restaurants changes the pace of living here — especially to avoid the summer traffic. The location is a huge plus to my home.