A Seventies Seaside Cottage on Martha’s Vineyard Gets a Revamp
Photography by Max Kim Bee, courtesy of Ellen Hamilton
This homeowner wanted to keep both the character of this small abode on Martha's Vineyard, but what did need changing was the interior, which hadn't been updated since the house was built. “This house is so special because it’s so simple,” says designer Ellen Hamilton. “We let it keep its character and took the ‘under-improvement’ approach. In other words, it was bad seventies, and we turned it into good seventies.”
The kitchen received a complete overhaul with Carrara marble countertops, a white tile backsplash, and locally made Shaker-style cabinetry.
At one end of the living room, a drop-down sofa from the Danish Design Store converts into a single bed for extra guests.
The two living room sofas are from Croft House, balanced with a lamp and corner table from Ikea.
A small bathroom with shower serves the upstairs social spaces (the living room and kitchen).
The main bedroom, with a bed from West Elm.
A small office is accessible via sliding barn door off the entry hall.
A small, slate-tiled entryway vestibule has hooks for storage and a bench for tying shoes.
The outdoor shower is accessed off the front porch.