Faraway Martha’s Vineyard Draws Inspiration From a Music Icon

A Martha's Vineyard property, originally built in the late 1990s by Shope Reno Wharton, has undergone a significant reimagining, transforming into a modern coastal retreat named Red Cliff. The project was a collaborative effort involving Hutker Architects, interior designer Paul Commito, Martha’s Vineyard Construction Co. (MVCC), and landscape architect Horiuchi Solien Inc. The renovation aimed to integrate modern and coastal design elements, deviating from the client's more traditional primary residence, while emphasizing the natural beauty and ocean views of its Chilmark location. The redesign prioritized an open floor plan, moving away from the property's initial division by paneled walls. The 5,700-square-foot house now features crisp white walls, serving as a gallery-like backdrop for the client’s growing modern art collection. White oak floors guide visitors through the interior, which blends natural materials and hues with contemporary touches. Strategic placement of rugs and furniture defines distinct yet interconnected spaces, preventing a disjointed feel. A notable piece is a bright blue sculptural bench by Casey McCafferty, crafted from a fallen Central Park tree, which subtly divides the dining and living areas. The interior design sought to create a warm and inviting atmosphere despite the large, modern space and cool color palette, with Paul Commito emphasizing coziness for guests. The living room showcases black trusses and an Allied Maker fixture on the ceiling, complemented by a palette of coral, green, blue, sandy taupe, and brown in natural fibers. Furnishings include Roman & Williams Guild sofas, B&B Italia armchairs, and custom-stained wood stumps from John Thayer Cabinetmakers. The kitchen, once a closed-off galley, was transformed into a central, open area that overlooks both the pool terrace and the Atlantic Ocean. Hutker partner Phil Regan highlighted this change, noting the kitchen's improved views and social integration within the great room. White oak accents continue into the kitchen, which is equipped with integrated Miele, Sub-Zero, and BlueStar appliances. The kitchen's central island, painted in Farrow & Ball Stiffkey Blue and topped with Caesarstone fresh concrete, is a focal point. Allied Maker pendants hang above, and Mark Albrecht Studio leather-woven stools offer front-row seating for the expansive ocean views. A large picture window behind the sinks, flanked by glossy, light blue-green Ann Sacks tiles, frames the cliffs, sandy beach, surfers, and gardens, seamlessly connecting the interior with the shimmering blue beyond. The primary suite provides a private sanctuary with a neutral-toned aesthetic, featuring a Materia chandelier and a shearling Audo lounge chair, nestled within native seagrasses. Its en suite bathroom includes a Blu Bathworks soaking tub with views of the pastoral landscape. The exterior spaces are equally designed to embrace the natural surroundings. Granite steps lead through native flora to various outdoor living areas, including a fire pit with Sutherland Adirondacks, an Olympic-length lap pool, a hot tub, and a lounge area, all strategically positioned to maximize ocean views. This comprehensive renovation successfully merged sophisticated modern design with the inherent beauty of Martha's Vineyard, creating a harmonious coastal dwelling. #Martha'sVineyard #HomeDesign #InteriorDesign #CoastalLiving #ModernArchitecture #LuxuryHomes #ArchitecturalRenovation #LandscapeDesign

This article explores restaurateur Keith McNally's Martha's Vineyard farm, detailing his approach to creating a home that feels authentic and lived-in rather than overly designed. McNally, known for his success in the New York City restaurant scene with establishments like The Odeon and Café Luxembourg, purchased Windy Gates Farm in Chilmark in 1991. The property spans four acres and serves as a summer retreat for McNally, his wife Alina, and their five children, providing a stark contrast to their urban life. Unlike many vacationers on Martha's Vineyard who engage in typical maritime activities, McNally dedicates his summers to working the land. His farm is home to various animals, including Berkshire, Tamworth, and Gloucester Old Spot pigs, goats, sheep, lambs, and free-range chickens and ducks. This focus on farming stems from McNally's desire to produce his own food, a need he developed after being constantly surrounded by food consumption in his restaurant career. He also enjoys cooking extensively for his family and occasional dinner parties, even venturing into making his own goat cheese. McNally's connection to Martha's Vineyard began unexpectedly in 1976. After arriving in New York from London with aspirations of filmmaking, he spontaneously altered his travel plans from Nantucket to Martha's Vineyard, drawn by the island's diverse ferry passengers. He spent that summer exploring the island by bicycle, often sleeping on the beach or in youth hostels, establishing an early, informal connection to the place. When it came to renovating Windy Gates Farm, McNally applied the same meticulous, anthropological approach he used for his restaurant designs, which were renowned for their authentic, almost theatrical ambiance. He enlisted craftsmen and electricians from his restaurant projects, alongside local talent, to ensure the cedar-shingled farmhouse appeared timeless and untouched. This renovation process was particularly therapeutic for McNally, who was undergoing a divorce at the time. His primary goal was to avoid a 'designed or polished' look, a task he noted required significant effort. The renovation involved customized adjustments, such as cutting doorframes to fit antique flea-market doors, rather than the reverse. Many of the floors and some furniture pieces were crafted from reclaimed, aged pine. The interior design reflects a rustic, simple aesthetic, with minimal decoration focusing on essentials. Art is scarce, limited to a few paintings by his late father-in-law, Albert Johnson, vintage sconces from the Brimfield market, and an Audubon Society poster. Signature McNally design elements are present, including wainscoting, wide-plank floors, tea-stained walls, and an L-shaped banquette in the kitchen, perfect for family gatherings. Furniture, including farm tables, French bistro chairs, rattan sofas, and rope beds, were sourced from local and French flea markets. A children's room features a berth-like wooden bed with a ship's helm wheel as a headboard, referencing the island's maritime heritage. The farm's self-sufficiency is a cornerstone of the McNallys' summer life. They enjoy their own bacon and ham from the pigs, and cultivate apples, peaches, plums, cherries, and a variety of berries from their orchards and gardens. The extensive vegetable garden yields fresh asparagus, Sun Gold tomatoes, cucumbers, okra, peppers, fennel, and haricots verts, contributing to a completely self-contained lifestyle where going out for food is rarely necessary. This lifestyle provides an ideal escape from the demands of city life, emphasizing a connection to nature and sustainable living. #Martha'sVineyard #FarmLife #HomeRenovation #InteriorDesign #RusticDecor #RestaurateurHome #SustainableLiving #SummerRetreat #ArchitecturalDetail

The article offers a home tour of the Kitsilano residence belonging to Danielle and Wade Papin, the founders of the internationally recognized jewelry brand Pyrrha. Having established Pyrrha three decades ago, a brand celebrated for its talisman-design pendants and a celebrity following that includes Ryan Gosling and Lady Gaga, the couple maintains strong roots in Vancouver, where their custom studio-showroom is located in a repurposed heritage house in Mount Pleasant. They have resided in their circa-1940s Kitsilano home since 2005, having previously rented in the same neighborhood. This enduring connection to their home reflects their consistent aesthetic, which blends old and new elements. Their interior design approach mirrors the philosophy behind Pyrrha's jewelry, characterized by a juxtaposition of vintage and contemporary elements. For instance, the kitchen features modern walnut flooring, while the living room retains its original floorboards. Sleek marble countertops are harmoniously integrated with vintage radiators, which the couple chose to keep despite a contractor's recommendation to replace them. A sophisticated sound system is a central feature, used for playing a collection of 1970s post-punk records, indicating their appreciation for music. The home showcases a mix of high-design pieces, such as Bocci lights and Herman Miller chairs, alongside numerous items acquired from estate sales, vintage shops, and garage sales, emphasizing their preference for unique finds over curated collections. Music is a significant aspect of their lives, as evidenced by a substantial record collection housed in the dining area, encompassing rock classics, jazz, and New Wave genres. The article highlights specific art pieces and decor: a bird sculpture by Vancouver artist George Vergette, one of three in their possession, and a piece by Winnipeg artist Marcel Dzama, known for his distinctive and often unsettling caricatures, which hangs above a radiator. The living room includes a sofa, found at an SPCA thrift store, which was reupholstered in black vinyl, a testament to their resourcefulness and design choices. The home also features a framed contact sheet from David Bowie’s 'Heroes' album shoot, signed by the photographer, displayed above their home bar. This bar is a dedicated space for mixology, stocked with their preferred spirits and glassware, and designed with a fold-out countertop for serving. The couple enjoys crafting classic cocktails like paper planes and negronis, deliberately opting out of the non-alcoholic trend. Wade Papin’s audiophile setup, a PrimaLuna Dialogue system with glowing tubes, reflects his pursuit of analog sound, though the accompanying amplifiers frequently require repair, humorously compared to owning a Jaguar. In the hearth area, a television is framed by a vintage fireplace mantel, which is merely a facade without a chimney. This space serves as a family entertainment hub where they watch movies with their daughter, Hazel, exemplifying a relaxed and personal atmosphere. The overall impression of the Papins' home is one of thoughtful eclecticism, deeply personal selections, and a comfortable blend of cherished items with modern living, reflecting their distinct artistic and lifestyle sensibilities. #HomeDecor #KitsilanoHome #PyrrhaFounders #InteriorDesign #VintageDecor #ArtCollection #MusicLovers #EclecticStyle

The article showcases the Martha's Vineyard home of Seth Meyers and Alexi Ashe, designed by Ashe Leandro, an interior design and architectural firm. This property is one of eight featured in the firm's new book, "Ashe Leandro: Architecture + Interiors." The design of the home, completed in 2022, was largely a carte blanche project for the designers, Ariel Ashe and Reinaldo Leandro, given their prior collaborations with the couple. The house is situated in Chilmark on Martha's Vineyard, adjacent to Ashe's parents' summer home. The exterior of the barn-like structure features bright cedar planks, chosen for a modern aesthetic over traditional cedar shingles, which are expected to weather to a grey tone characteristic of Martha's Vineyard. The home's frame utilizes reclaimed timber, intentionally left exposed inside to provide an aged patina that belies the new construction. Outside, artfully placed boulders, original to the property, and a traditional New England stone wall complement the natural surroundings, reflecting the area's farmland aesthetic. Due to Chilmark's strict building codes limiting size and footprint, the designers created an open-concept main floor with a double-height living room. A prominent limestone, wood-burning fireplace serves as the central anchor, extending to the barn-style beams above. A moody grey limewash treatment on the overmantle adds a touch of sophistication. The flooring transitions from grey stone tiles to French oak floorboards, leading to the kitchen. The kitchen is centrally located and designed to blend seamlessly with the living space, appearing more like a wall of built-ins than a conventional kitchen, complete with a camouflaged refrigerator and sink. The black cabinetry is a nod to the family's Manhattan home, also designed by Ashe Leandro, which reportedly popularized black kitchens. The home emphasizes communal dining, offering multiple dining areas: a smaller breakfast nook with antique Gustavian chairs and a Carlo Scarpa light fixture, and a larger dining area with Scarpa dining chairs and picture windows offering an outdoor dining sensation with views of the oak grove. For actual outdoor dining, a covered porch and a secondary outdoor space with a fireplace by sculptor Eben Armer, crafted from local boulders, are available. Upstairs, arched doorways lead to bedrooms with subtle nautical themes. The boys' room features a porthole-esque window providing a view of their grandparents' home, and an upcycled porthole serves as their bathroom mirror. Vibrant red bunk beds add color against a backdrop of earth and wood tones, furnished with antique pieces. The overall design embraces aged designs typical of Martha's Vineyard but with a sparse, oversized furniture arrangement that fills the space without clutter. Notable interior elements include an unfinished 17th-century Portuguese silk tapestry in the primary bedroom and a repurposed hulking burled wood secretary desk serving as a bar, stocked with Alexi's collection of silver-plated Gucci Stirrup Cups with Elk Head. Small, impactful touches are found throughout, including a sconce from a Parisian flea market in the powder room and miniature oyster paintings. The designers and family agree that the home truly comes alive when filled with people, particularly during mealtimes and gatherings, fostering a vibrant, family-centric atmosphere. #Martha'sVineyardHome #AsheLeandro #InteriorDesign #ArchitecturalFirm #SethMeyers #AlexiAshe #LuxuryHomes #ModernFarmhouse #ReclaimedMaterials