Home tour: A colour coordinated holiday home in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts

Following the blueprint of the old structure, the new design of the home by Travis Ritchie from R&D Design represents a thoughtful adaptation of traditional New England architectural principles to meet contemporary needs and environmental demands.

Mika Durell, founder of interior design firm Able Moraine, explains: “Essentially a single-level structure with a basement, featuring vertical cedar siding and bronze metal components for the front doors and roof, the contemporary version of the architectural vernacular that has evolved over time in response to New England’s climate.”

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Moreover, the home’s modest size and efficient layout enable excellent interior airflow, cross breezes, and ample sunlight throughout the main level with the living and dining rooms, bedroom suites, as well as the kitchen area, and an office and library space on the small volume on the second floor.

The contemporary design also maximises views of the surrounding scenic landscape, including in the basement that houses the laundry room, entertainment lounge and gym, and Kay’s personal suite, accessible through a separate entrance from the side of the property adjacent to the plunge pool.

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When it comes to injecting character and eclecticism into the cosy-sized home, Durrell had only to look to the vibrant homeowner for inspiration.

“Oftentimes, the homes we design are super neutral and calm, as our clientele typically wants a very serene calm environment when they come to Martha’s Vineyard–however, Julia loves colour,” recalls Durrell of the homeowner who had experience working on similar interior design projects. 

“She was very daring, and willing to take risks, which was really fun to bring to the table as a designer,” the interior designer added. “She had very strong ideas of what she liked, and she made solid and confident decisions, which was also refreshing.”

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Playing on Julia’s affinity towards colour, texture and pattern, each room features a different colour palette with furnishing and colour-stained wood panels in similar colourways: blush for the primary bedroom and ensuite, green for the guest suite, and raspberry and orange in Kay’s bedroom.

“A single piece of fabric or wallpaper or paint chip would inspire the client, and we would organise the palettes and rooms accordingly,” adds Durrell, who also had to cater to Julia’s sudden creative whims.

“She texted us about these vintage dining chairs and fabric she found, which she already had Chairloom upholstered, and will be sending our way,” the interior designer remembers. “We have to learn to pivot with these independent moves Julia made, and complement her inspiring moments in execution and finality.”

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Emphasising the bold colours in each area of the home are natural stone materials: ranging from the landscaping around the plunge pool that evokes a Mediterranean ambience reminiscent of the Southern France charm; to the shimmering textured Zellige tiles upon the kitchen’s backsplash that recalls the inside of an oyster shell, which can be found on the beach below the house’s bluff, accessible from the edge of the lawn through a flight of steep wooden stairs.

“My favourite room in the house is the bathroom with the tub of Calacatta viola marble, plum mini hex floor tiles, rose stained vanity, and textural neutral wall tiles,” Durrell chimes in. “The colours are deep but not intrusive, wild but calming, and the materials are rich but well balanced–good design details achieved in this special one-of-a-kind space.”

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The definitive colour schemes in each room and main living spaces also provide a neutrality for the homeowners’ extensive art collection, “everything from abstract artworks to classic landscapes by local artists and those found while travelling,” says Durrell.

The collection includes the artwork in the living room evokes the landscape paintings of British artists like Turner or Constable, and the ones in the kitchen that exudes a charming Provencal aesthetic.

“Travel and worldliness are important to this family, so I am not surprised to find many different global styles sprinkled throughout the home,” the interior designer concludes.

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