“I have been spending weekends in the Hamptons since I graduated from college when I would come out to my Aunt and Uncle’s home in the Amagansett Dunes,” shares Annie Venier, founder of pilates studio, Le Petit Studio NYC | East and Le Petit Studio Bis Paris France. “Those were family summers filled with little cousins, diving lessons and fishing on my Uncle’s boat. My birthday is in June and I have celebrated almost every birthday in the Hamptons since I was about 18! This summer, I’m staying in Sag Harbor and setting up my Pilates pop-up in Wainscott.”

KDHamptons: You have had a long love affair with the Hamptons, how did it begin?
Annie Venier: In my early twenties I had an Aussie boyfriend. We could never get enough sun surf or friends. He would drag me out of bed at the crack of dawn to check out the surf at Ditch Plains and White Sands. Needless to say I became an expert at the sunrise naps on the beach! In 2001, I started coming to the Hamptons full time for summers. I was running my own Pilates studio in Paris. Since my clients enjoyed the standard three month long French holiday away, I was able to take advantage of the time off and head to the states to guest teach. This gave me the opportunity to catch up with friends, practice my English, and stay indulge in the beauty of the Hamptons.

For me, the appeal of the Hamptons is without a doubt the nature. The sky, the stars, and the surf. That’s where it’s at. I’m a nature lover and outdoor sports enthusiast. The Hamptons offer endless opeeotunities for outdoor activities, some of best nature on the east coast and the most breathtaking beaches. I’ll take a bike and a bikini over the subway and turtleneck any day!

KDHamptons: Please describe your pilates practice?
Annie Venier

: I have been teaching for over 10 years and running my own business for 7 plus years (I had my own studio in Paris, where I lived for 8 years). I teach private, custom tailored fitness sessions. I use the Pilates method to help people transform their bodies. I have one or the most rewarding jobs on the planet. My goal as a teacher is to help my clients transform their bodies. I work with : men, women, supermodels, super moms, super athletes. The key to getting great results is beginning with an assessment of their body, lifestyle, and goals. This includes evaluating their posture, muscular imbalances, and movement. Some clients are looking for physical results (lengthening, toning, and sculpting) and others are looking to improve athletic performance. By customizing each session for each client, I am able to ensure that they get the most effective workout to provide the results and (ultimately the body) they want.

KDHamptons: What are you looking forward to most this summer?
Annie Venier

: My Hamptons Pilates pop-up! There is nothing I enjoy more than introducing people to Pilates for the first time and seeing how quickly they fall in love with it. Or getting people fit just when they thought they didn’t want to bare it for the beach! I’m really looking forward to meeting my new East-ender clients. I’m also excited to see and train my existing NYC clientele out east, often through private in-home sessions.

KDHamptons: Describe your perfect Hamptons day?
Annie Venier

: Oh…that’s so tough! I would definitely start the day off with a little relaxing at home – maybe head out to the hammock with a coffee to enjoy the morning sky – or curl up on the couch and read some news or a book. Then it would be bikini, cutoffs, and BEACH!
I catch up with friends during the day and that often means a trip to Montauk. I’d head to Ditch Plains, Gurney’s Beach or Gin Beach. I will definitely swim at the beach – body surf if its rough and practice my mile long swim if its calm!

Gurney’s offers a zen-ed out Ibiza type vibe, on one of the most spectacular stretches of the Montauk beach. If I want total peace and quiet I bike to Egypt Beach.  Food happens at some point. I have a soft spot for The Clam Bar and its delicious classic lobster roll.  I try to stay at the beach for sundown. This is a magical hour. If I haven’t biked yet, I have a serious decision to make: bike ride through hither hills or go straight to cocktail hour? I love both so much. The Crow’s Nest and Sunset Beach are my favorites for an unbeatable view and a drink. Crows Nest is romantic and Sunset Beach has ping pong and a fire pit.

For dinner, my first choice would be to cookout at home/do a dinner party with friends…although often we’ll head to Moby’s for Crow’s Nest or hit Surf Lodge for a concert. For a Thursday night girls night I prefer to be in town – Tutto il Giorno and Baron’s Cove in Sag Harbor are good spots for catching up. In winter, I love a drink at the Maidstone Inn after dinner and then bed early.

KDHamptons: Please describe your Hamptons home and decorating style?
Annie Venier

: Easy, breezy, and beachy! It should look, feel and smell like SUMMER. Even in the city, I prefer a chilled out relaxed Bohemian style. I prefer simple color pallete and minimal design with a variety of textures and accents – linen is great in summer, light wood, shells, rope. I also have a soft spot for wind chimes, tree houses, hammocks and outdoor showers.  Especially in fall nothing beats an outdoors shower.  No house is complete without fresh cut flowers  – this is a Hamptons must! My favorite Hamptons shops for the home are Calypso Home and Homenature.