Escape to Amagansett: Inside the World of Acclaimed Il Buco Restaurateur, Donna Lennard

Summer days are best spent near the water—so we’re heading to East Hampton to step inside the home of Donna Lennard, the acclaimed restaurateur, curator and visionary behind Il Buco. What began as a local antique shop on Bond Street has since evolved into a beloved New York institution that Gourmet magazine once called “one of the best and most exciting restaurants in America.” For decades, Donna has been crafting spaces that feel soulful and lived-in, where thoughtful design, delicious meals and a deep sense of community come together effortlessly. 

That shared appreciation for craftsmanship and intentional living makes Coyuchi’s summer collaboration with Donna and Il Buco Vita—her in-café home shop in Amagansett—such a natural fit. Through June 22, visitors can explore a curated collection of Coyuchi favorites in-store, each piece echoing the space’s warmth, texture and luxurious simplicity.

To celebrate the partnership, we explored Donna’s own Springs retreat and sat down with her to talk about design, sustainability and the Coyuchi pieces that bring relaxation and comfort to her everyday life.

Above: Robles Handstitched Organic Quilt, Women's Isla Organic Cotton Cami Short Set

Thank you for welcoming us into your home. Please tell us a bit about yourself and how you spend your time.

Donna Lennard: I have a super busy life running four restaurants and our homewares store il Buco Vita. Amidst all the crazy, I manage to spend at least 5 days a week out east at my home in Springs. I try to start the day with a meditation, yoga, a cold plunge in the bay, and a sauna session. Then I am off to the stables to gallop my Dutch Warmblood, Stallone, through the fields. There is always a quick stop at the beach to check out the ocean before I return home to begin my work day with a deluge of calls, zooms, etc., and an occasional meeting with my sisters to work on our foundation. By the end of the day I check in with the Amagansett team at Vita and often have an early dinner at al Mare since I’ve likely skipped lunch, unless I have social engagements with friends.

Above Left: Women's Isla Organic Cotton Robe  Above right: Mediterranean Organic Towels, Dawn Stripe Organic Beach Towel

Could you paint us a picture of a typical day, and how your surroundings influence its rhythm?

I am thoroughly inspired and affected by the energy of the East End. Waking up with the sunrise over the bay, which is a different landscape depending on weather, wind, and time of year is a joy. The beach is truly a peaceful place for me. I bought a small 1960s cottage almost 10 years ago [on Gerard Drive in Springs]. While living there during the pandemic with my son, Joaquin, and Keiko, my beloved Bengal cat, I began slowly designing and constructing my home, which has been an incredibly satisfying project. Now, with the landscaping finishing up in the coming weeks and the CO in hand, I feel like I have finally arrived!

 

When embarking on the creation of a space, what ignites your imagination? 

I want to create a space in harmony with nature and therefore look for textures, colors, and materials that speak to that. I like to have a neutral background like my off-white plastered walls or reclaimed wood floors and beams. Then, I layer color within. The goal is to find the right accent colors to help bring joy and light into a space, and these pops can often be pulled from antique tiles, artwork, or textiles.

Above: Mediterranean Organic Towels, Adriatic Organic Towels

Is there a particular muse or a guiding philosophy that informs your design narrative? 

If there is a muse, I have not met her yet. I honestly work from my gut and what inspires me. 

Every object holds a story. Would you be willing to share the provenance or significance of a few cherished pieces within your home – perhaps an artwork, a textile, or a found object? 

There are several pieces from my dad’s home that hold special significance: two antique Kilim rugs, a William Tucker sculpture, and an anonymous sculpture of Olga Korbut poised on a balance beam that overlooks the bay. I also hold dear a large self-portrait of Chuck Close, which I received in barter with him for his 70th birthday party at il Buco while he was still living and working across the street on Bond. I am also incredibly fond of my Jill Platner sculpture hanging in my dining room, a constant reminder of one of my dearest friends.

Among the tactile luxuries of Coyuchi, is there a specific piece that has woven its way into your daily rituals, becoming an indispensable element of your comfort and rest? What draws you to it? 

My self-care ritual after a shower or sauna is incomplete without the pure comfort of my Organic Waffle Robe or a treasured Organic Mediterranean Towel. I also adore the natural luxury of my organic Relaxed Linen Sheets – they are crisp, incredibly soft, and create the perfect temperature for a wonderful rest.

Above: Organic Waffle Robe, Mediterranean Organic Towels, Adriatic Organic Towels

The art of living well often encompasses more than just aesthetics. How do the seemingly distinct worlds of design, the culinary arts, and the joy of entertaining intertwine and enrich your daily life and the spaces you create? 

First comes the space, which is the envelope or shell that allows everything to happen within. I look to design a space that feels comfortable, warm and inviting. When friends and loved ones come into my home for a meal in an environment created for them, that makes me truly happy, and the stresses of my busy life fade away.   

Sustainability is increasingly at the forefront of mindful living. How does this ethos manifest in your design choices and the way you curate your home? Are there specific practices or materials you consciously embrace? 

I always look for recycled and reclaimed materials. I love combining antiques and old pieces with the new, keeping the building and materials as sustainable as possible, respecting the landscape and nature. Some of the sustainable aspects include geothermal heating, solar panels, and natural water filtration.

Your home often serves as a gathering place. How does the concept of community influence the design and flow of your spaces, and what atmosphere do you strive to cultivate for those who enter?

Keep the space open with elements of warmth and comfort and create coziness within the open space by using textures and fabrics that make you want to relax and stay a while. People close to me who come to the house for the first time often remark that the space is uniquely “me,” and the idea of sharing yourself with the people you care about in that particular way is very fulfilling.  

Above: Toro Canyon Organic Runner, Sonoma Textured Organic Napkins, Conserve Organic Produce Bags, Mojave Organic Kitchen Towels, Conserve Organic Bowl Covers

Looking beyond the purely visual, how do you consider the intangible aspects – the feeling, the energy – when shaping your living environment and the way different spaces within your home are utilized? 

Each room is created through my own visceral idea of what I envision the space should feel like and how naturally the space reflects the beauty and simplicity of the environment.

Above: Adriatic Organic Towels

In a world that often demands constant motion, how have you consciously designed your home to be a place for rest and rejuvenation? Are there specific elements that contribute to this sense of calm? 

Nature, light, and taking advantage of the beautiful views of the bay are the main elements that I integrate when creating each room to bring a sense of calm and rejuvenation. For example, I recently built a sauna in my front yard with a huge picture window that overlooks the bay. My mornings spent there allow me to ground myself and connect with nature’s beauty.

Shop Donna's favorite Coyuchi pieces

Photos by Johnny Miller