We are thrilled to have one of our recent interior design projects featured in Country Living magazine! This whole-home renovation on Martha’s Vineyard was a true labor of love. Collaborating closely with the owners, we helped refresh a cherished home that has been in the family for three generations.
“The home was built by my partner, local builder Rick Anderson, for his former mother-in-law, and it has now been passed down to his daughter,” says Marina Case, principal designer at The Red Shutters. “With a young, growing family, she wanted to refresh the space to make it more relaxed and functional, while also incorporating meaningful elements to honor her grandmother. As you can imagine, two generations don’t always share the same vision—especially when one of them is the original builder! My role as the designer was to navigate those differences and ensure the final result satisfied everyone.”
Originally inspired by the Vincent House c: 1676, which was recently restored by the Vineyard Preservation Trust, this home has been updated to suit a young family of five with two dogs. Rick preserved its historical charm while adding a spacious primary suite. Through careful design, we honored the home’s rich history and seamlessly blended it with a casual, coastal vibe—the welcoming style that defines the island’s character.
A Calming Color Scheme
The colors for this project were carefully chosen to complement the home’s location and laid-back atmosphere. We incorporated soft blues and greens throughout the space, evoking the peaceful hues of the nearby ocean and lush landscapes of Martha’s Vineyard, along with some tans and pops of coral. These calming tones set the stage for a welcoming, serene environment that embraces the coastal lifestyle. We paired these colors with natural materials like wood and linen to enhance the casual yet elevated feel of the space.
A Timeless Kitchen with Family-Friendly Design
The kitchen in this Martha’s Vineyard home balances style and practicality. We sourced custom cabinetry from Crown Point Cabinetry in Vermont. Known for high-quality craftsmanship and custom design, this New England company offers a wide range of styles and finishes which allows us to tailor the kitchen’s design to the client’s vision with cabinets that will withstand the daily wear and tear. The clients wanted to keep the atmosphere light and airy, so we painted the cabinets in Escape Gray by Sherwin Williams and incorporated glass-fronts to showcase their significant collections. We love this as a neutral color for the kitchen.
For the countertops, we selected durable white quartz, ideal for handling the everyday demands of family life. The classic white subway tile backsplash has timeless appeal, while bronze lighting and hardware add warmth. Stainless steel appliances offer a sleek contrast to the more traditional elements of the design, helping to balance the space. The clients also found a charming table and chairs at a local estate sale, which add character and personality.
A coordinating island serves as the centerpiece of the kitchen, offering both ample workspace and a gathering spot for the family, while the brick oven fireplace – one of the few original features remaining after the renovation and built by Rick – serves as a beautiful nod to the home’s history. We added to the historic charm with blue-toned floor cloths from Williamsburg that pop nicely against the warm wood floors and green cabinetry.
A Dining Room Rich in Family History and Personal Touches
The dining room is a beautiful reflection of the family’s history and personal style. The table, a cherished heirloom from the homeowner’s grandmother, anchors the space. We helped the homeowners select stain colors for the chairs, which they painstakingly restored themselves. To complete the look, we added a hutch that brings both functionality and character to the room, along with a wrought iron chandelier. The combination of family heirlooms and carefully chosen additions creates a dining room that feels nostalgic yet fresh.
A Cozy and Inviting Space for Family Time
Warm and inviting is the vibe of the family room. A vibrant rug anchors the space as the neutral upholstered furniture helps maintain a calming atmosphere. In true The Red Shutters’ style, we added pops of whimsical color by painting the back of the bookcase in a coral hue and incorporating a bright blue lamp. These additions create striking contrast, tying the room’s colors together and complementing the homeowners’ personality.
We carefully designed the furniture floor plan of this room to be family-friendly, providing spaces for conversation, TV watching, curling up in front of a relaxing fire, or fun-packed game nights around the grandmother’s game table that we painted a cheerful green. The result is a family room that’s designed to be enjoyed by everyone.
Calming Blues in Every Bathroom
All the bathrooms in this home were completely renovated. While the feel of each is different, we carried one element throughout: a shade of blue.
The master bathroom is a true tranquil retreat with a luxurious soaking tub, towel warmer, and double vanity. The white walls, counter, and tub evoke a light and airy feel, while the blue cabinetry and natural baskets add a cozy warmth – with the classic hexagon tile floor serving as the ideal backdrop for each feature in the room.
It’s all about the bold color in the powder room. The striking teal vanity (Benjamin Moore Williamsburg Paint Color Collection in Mayo Teal) and coordinating wallpaper from Thibaut bring fun, texture, and depth to the small space.
In the children’s bathroom, we opted for a light blue vanity (Benjamin Moore Williamsburg Paint Color Collection in Galt Blue) and classic black-and-white tile patterns. With a focus on simplicity and budget-conscious choices, the design maintains an elegant, yet playful feel – which we love for this young family.
Bedrooms That Exude Comfort and Charm
For the bedrooms, we created cozy retreats with every detail carefully chosen to enhance comfort and style. Soft linens in calming blues, accented with nature-inspired touches like flowers and birds, reflect the homeowners’ laid-back vibe and invite you to unwind after a long day. All of the bedding was thoughtfully sourced from Williamsburg.
The result is a tranquil home that feels connected to its surroundings and history while still offering comfort and style for modern living. Read more about my work on Martha’s Vineyard, click here.
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