In the heart of Martha’s Vineyard, a 19th-century former ship captain’s home has been transformed into a vibrant summer retreat by designer Amber Lewis. Tasked with blending her refined style with her client Bailey McCarthy’s exuberant flair, Lewis navigated the renovation of this historic property with both creativity and restraint. Emphasizing compromise and collaboration, the project not only honored the home’s nautical roots but also encapsulated a modern aesthetic tailored to its owners’ personalities.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Designer: Amber Lewis
Location: Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts
Client: Bailey McCarthy
Architect: Curtis & Windham Architects
Brand: Biscuit Home
The journey began with a challenge: integrating Bailey McCarthy’s vision that was both daring and colorful with Lewis’s more subdued approach. Initially met with the desire to saturate the house in bright yellow, Lewis found a middle ground by incorporating a range of colors in a manner that created harmony instead of chaos. The design narrative unfolded through strategic use of color and texture in various rooms, each space exhibiting a balance of sophistication and playfulness.
Central to the home’s redesign was the creation of a flowing, open-concept living area, inspired by a hotel lobby, that connected several distinct rooms. The living room, for instance, was transformed to feature versatile seating arrangements around dual fireplaces, adorned with lush textiles and lightweight, easily movable chairs. This adaptable layout fostered easy socializing and created a welcoming atmosphere, embodying the home’s new role as a communal summer house.
A standout feature of the renovation was the basement-level movie room, initially bedecked in luxury with a cashmere carpet and abundant fabric drapes. Despite an unexpected flood, which Lewis wryly attributed to the home’s historic captain, the room emerged as a testament to resilience and luxury. Its tented ceiling and glamorous style set the tone for other uniquely themed spaces, such as the hidden speakeasy lounge with its nautical-themed wainscoting and custom mural.
The kitchen and dining areas further reflected the subtle yet clever application of color and texture. With cabinetry painted in a calming light blue and adorned with natural elements like Calacatta marble and copper, the kitchen was steered away from bright hues to embrace timeless elegance. In the dining room, a botanical theme, achieved through de Gournay wallcoverings, allowed for a subdued yet vibrant palette that appealed to McCarthy’s colorful inclinations without overwhelming the space.
Finally, the outdoor areas, such as the circus-meets-sophisticated pool cabana, embodied the playful yet elegant vision of the renovations. Designed to seat a sizable gathering comfortably, the cabana was a culmination of the vibrant and luxurious design ethos guiding this extraordinary transformation. McCarthy’s longstanding collaboration with Curtis & Windham Architects on this pavilion was a fitting tribute to their partnership and the overall spirit of renewal embraced by the project. By uniting historical character with updated style, the home stands as a beacon of creative compromise and enduring friendship.
