In the Edgartown Village Historic District on Martha’s Vineyard, this antique residence which at one point served as an inn was completely reimagined for modern day living. The challenge was to update the overall program while preserving the property’s iconic island character.
To respect the structure’s vintage, the scale of renovations and additions were of critical importance. With less than 2,500 square feet of living space on two levels, the finished product needed to read as appropriate for the village, but also had to contain 4 en suite bedrooms and family spaces per the clients’ request.
Many historic elements seen throughout the village were kept during the renovation to celebrate the past. Maintaining the white clapboard front facade would allow the main house to lead, while traditional cedar shingles on the sides, porch, and stepped-down garage addition blend other pieces of the program with neighboring homes. Layered exterior features like window boxes, copper coach lighting, a brick footpath and drive and the traditional Edgartown fence indicate the structure’s authenticity. Together as one composition they tug at the heartstrings of passersby and are reminiscent of another time.
Patrick Ahearn is a master of classic coastal vernacular. Wide-open doorways, window boxes with cascading flowers, and perfectly scaled rooms that have a welcoming feel - that's what Patrick's architecture is all about.
Carla Rummo, CMO, Serena & Lily
On the interior, a sensitive renovation leaves guests wondering what was original and what was added anew. The first floor was carefully modified to create a more open foyer, and a more substantial kitchen was designed in place of an outdated half-open galley. While completely modern in functionality, the new kitchen’s exposed reclaimed beams indicate the home’s history. Throughout the house, beadboard decorates the walls, elevating the overall architectural presentation and providing a point of historical reference. Reclaimed floors stained deep brown embrace the past and provide a grounding layer upon which to add Serena + Lily furnishings and decor. Bedrooms on both the first and second floor were meticulously designed to achieve the requested en-suites the clients desired.
One of the most important goals was to establish an indoor/outdoor connection that hadn’t previously existed. Now with true indoor/outdoor flow, this veritable program for outdoor living all but increases the square footage on site, especially during summer months. Sets of French doors were added to the living room and primary bedroom and accordion-folding doors were inserted in the cabana space. With doors wide open, these rooms all enjoy direct access to the new pool and areas for al fresco dining and conversation. Access points were also added to the front hall and side entry where none had existed before.
Dramatic impact was made in the connection between the main house and garage via an exceptionally subtle connection. The preexisting garage structure was converted into a dual-function cabana/bedroom, and a new, carefully scaled garage was added to the front. Now joined to the main house via an interior hallway and exterior covered porch, homeowners can move through the entire residence without being exposed to the elements. Great care was taken to establish this connection between wings while maintaining the historic scale of the structure. As a result, the finished product reads as a timeless composition that could have stood forever.
