Onna House
East Hampton, New York
Designed in 1962 by Paul Lester Wiener, Onna House was originally commissioned by art collectors Ethel and Robert Scull. The current owner discovered the modernist home on social media through a real estate agent dedicated to saving midcentury properties. Drawn to its crisp details, which reminded her of her childhood home, she purchased the house and enlisted Christine Harper, from Harper Design+Build, to transform its four-bedroom layout into a gallery showcasing women artists.
The kitchen was fully reimagined and expanded to support catering needs during gallery lectures and openings. Formerly enclosed, the layout was opened up by incorporating an adjacent storage room, transforming the space into a free-flowing hub for gathering. A generous central island now anchors the kitchen, serving as both a functional workspace and a focal point where guests naturally congregate to enjoy snacks and curated gourmet offerings.
Since opening in May 2022, Onna House has provided a unique cultural experience, blending art, nature, and design to highlight and champion the work of women artists.
Onna House serves as both a gallery and a gathering space, fostering engagement and collaboration while celebrating under-recognized artists.
The renovation preserves the home's clean lines, original aluminum sliding doors, and seamless indoor-outdoor flow. A large courtyard anchors the open-plan living room, with former private quarters converted into exhibition spaces. Now open to the public, the house invites visitors to experience both art and architecture in a serene, midcentury setting.
Its transformation brings attention to the preservation of modernist architecture, particularly as other significant midcentury homes on Long Island have been lost.
