Storied Charm

A richly imagined history cues the design of a new shingle-style cottage brimming with period detail on Martha’s Vineyard

Patrick Ahearn takes a novel approach to designing houses. “I like to write the story of a house before we even start its design,” the Boston-based architect says. So when clients–empty nesters approaching retirement – asked him to build a weekend getaway on Martha’s Vineyard, Ahearn plotted the tale of a “romantic country cottage in the woods that someone fell upon and lovingly restored. With a barn.”

West Chop Cottage was featured in Beautiful Homes, Summer 2009 issue.

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