An Inside Look at Beauty and Wellness Guru Dr. Roshini Raj's Bridgehampton Abode

By Elisabeth Brigham By Elisabeth Brigham | August 28, 2024 | Home & Real Estate, Home & Real Estate Feature, Home & Real Estate,

The estate features Asian-inspired Zen grounds, complete with vibrant gardens, ponds, waterfalls and a replica of a 15th century Buddhist temple.

Beauty and wellness guru Dr. Roshini Raj gives us an inside look at her serene sanctuary in Bridgehampton.

When it comes to tackling new ventures, renowned beauty and wellness guru Dr. Roshini Raj takes everything in stride. After publishing her second book, Gut Renovation: Unlock the Age-Defying Power of the Microbiome to Remodel Your Health From the Inside Out (William Morrow), founding her super supplement brand, YayDay, and having her probiotic skincare company, Tula, acquired by P&G, she set her sights on a more personal project: finding the ultimate Hamptons home with enough space and feng shui for relaxing weekends away with family and friends.

“One of the great things about the Hamptons is that you can find incredible art and furniture from all over the world in the estate sales, auctions and consignment stores like Collette,” Dr. Roshini Raj says. “Scouring the world virtually and IRL looking for gorgeous treasures was such a fun process for me. Almost every item in the house has an interesting story behind it.” Opposite page, from top: Raj; expansive windows illuminate the living space, while wooden beams complement the natural aesthetic.

“There is a saying in Morocco that you don’t choose a house, the house chooses you. That was definitely the case here,” says Raj. “From the moment I entered the gates, I fell under some sort of spell. I was greeted by a bronze Indian statue nestled between large rocks in the driveway, and I realized this was unlike any house I had ever seen. The Asian-inspired gardens were vast and spectacular, dotted with mostly Buddhist statues, which made me feel immediately at peace. As the daughter of Sri Lankan immigrants, I was raised as a Buddhist, and though I am not particularly religious, I believe in the philosophy of Buddhism and the practice of meditation as key parts of my wellness journey. The incredible assortment of trees, flowers, bamboo, koi ponds, as well as an actual Buddhist temple, convinced me that this was a house in which my family would feel transported to another world—our own Zen oasis.”

The inside space is just as inspiring, boasting vaulted ceilings, natural design elements (think wooden beams and stone walls), a moon gate and, of course, expansive living spaces. “My first thought was, ‘Yes, I can really breathe here.’ Some of the architecture (the veranda, for example) reminded me of my grandmother’s house in Sri Lanka, where I used to spend my summers, which added to the appeal. Though it has a large footprint, the flow makes it feel cohesive.” The floor plan effortlessly moves from room to room, and Raj admits that when lying in the primary bedroom, if all doors are open, she can see through four rooms all the way to the other side of the house.

PORTRAIT BY KRYSTENA PATTON LLC PHOTOGRAPHED BY LIZ GLASGOW

With the bones set, Raj dove into the design space, curating a personality-packed abode reflective of her life experiences, travels and ethos. “I wanted to create a house that made you feel like you were relaxing at an exotic tropical resort.” She admits, “I also liked the flexibility of not having to answer to anyone when it came to design choices.” The result? A smorgasbord of globally inspired furnishings, vibrant statement pieces and playful patterns galore. Raj performed the ultimate balancing act, fusing together a clean, minimalistic aesthetic with maximalist design details in an unexpected way that, well, just works. You’ll spy extravagant antelope-print carpet in the “jungalow” safari-themed sunroom (which pays homage to her favorite vacation), Indian-inspired wallpaper in the powder rooms and three vintage portraits of royal Indian women purchased in Marrakech sprinkled throughout the home.

PHOTOGRAPHED BY LIZ GLASGOW

Outside, Raj’s home transcends regional boundaries with temples, lush gardens and endless pathways woven throughout. “The grounds needed a lot of work,” she shares. “There were major repairs needed to most of the outdoor structures— dining pagoda, Japanese teahouse, Chinese temple—and pool. I also found the Asian theme in both the exterior and interior to be a little too overwhelming (those gate pagodas had to go!), so some major culling and curating needed to happen.” Cue owner of Whitney’s Landscaping, Jason LaGarenne. “I had a huge project ahead of me, but I saw the potential to create something completely spectacular that was unlike anything I had seen. Whitney’s Landscaping, who originally worked on the house, helped me declutter the garden and make it less busy and more peaceful. The meandering paths through the gardens are usually visitors’ favorite part of the property, and the Whitney team helps keep them pristine and somewhat tamed.”

“I am enjoying the property immensely with my family and fiancé,” Raj says. “I recently co-founded YayDay—a super-digestive supplement focusing on gut health and the gut-mind connection—so I am very interested in exploring ways to calm the mind and optimize mental and physical health. That’s why I created a Zen sanctuary, and I look forward to spending many relaxing and healthy summers here with friends and loved ones.”

In the end, Raj and her team created a healthy haven full of hidden gems and innovative twists. “I transformed the temple into a meditation and yoga space, and between that, the long walks we take in the gardens, and the sauna and whirlpool in the primary bathroom, I feel like I am living in a wellness retreat.”