Layla Zulfa
In the competitive landscape of New England luxury real estate, Martha’s Vineyard remains a bastion of traditional aesthetics and seasonal prestige. For many homeowners in Edgartown, the default design language often leans toward the nautical: navy stripes, brass fixtures, and a polished maritime flair reminiscent of neighboring Nantucket. However, a recent project by Boston-based designer Nina Farmer for a Harvard professor and his family has challenged this convention, opting instead for a "certain kind of ethos" that prioritizes rustic authenticity over coastal clichés. The 4,900-square-foot compound, located in the heart of Edgartown but designed with the "up-island" vernacular in mind, represents a significant shift in how modern vacation homes are being conceived on the island.
The transformation of the property, situated near the scenic Eel Pond Lane, marks the culmination of a multi-year journey for the homeowners. After six years of renting in the area, the family sought a permanent residence that could serve as both a multi-generational retreat and a functional space for remote academic work. The resulting design is a study in "intentional patina," utilizing reclaimed materials, local artistry, and a color palette derived from the island’s inland landscapes rather than its shoreline.
The Evolution of a Martha’s Vineyard Retreat: A Chronology
The development of the Eel Pond Lane property followed a deliberate timeline, allowing the residents to understand the environmental and social rhythms of the island before committing to a permanent design.
- The Rental Period (2016–2022): The family spent six consecutive summers renting within a specific Edgartown pocket. This period allowed them to identify their needs: proximity to Main Street for convenience, but enough seclusion to maintain privacy.
- Property Acquisition (Late 2022): The family discovered a compound consisting of a main residence and a guest house tucked behind a canopy of mature trees. While the exterior boasted classic weathered siding and a wraparound porch, the interior was described by Farmer as "bland" and lacking the island’s characteristic warmth.
- The Observational Season (Summer 2023): Upon purchasing the home, the family made the strategic decision to live in the space "as-is" for one full season. This phase was critical for determining that no structural walls needed to be moved, though it confirmed the necessity of a total aesthetic overhaul.
- The Post-Season Renovation (Autumn 2023 – Spring 2024): As the summer crowds departed, Farmer’s team cleared the house of its previous furnishings and began a comprehensive redesign. This included the installation of reclaimed oak ceilings, custom cabinetry, and the sourcing of global antiques.
- Project Completion (Summer 2024): The family moved back into the completed home, transitioning from a generic vacation house to a bespoke family compound.
Shifting the Design Vernacular: From Edgartown to Up-Island
Martha’s Vineyard is culturally and geographically divided between "Down-Island" towns like Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, and Vineyard Haven, and the "Up-Island" regions of West Tisbury, Chilmark, and Aquinnah. Edgartown is traditionally characterized by its stately white whaling captain houses and manicured gardens. In contrast, Up-Island life is defined by rolling hills, stone fences, and a more rugged, agricultural atmosphere.
Nina Farmer’s design philosophy for this project was to bring that Up-Island spirit to the center of Edgartown. "I wanted the way you’re experiencing the island outside the house to be the same inside the house," Farmer stated during the project reveal. This was achieved by moving away from the "newness" that often defines modern renovations and instead focusing on materials that suggest a history of generational use.
Key to this strategy was the use of reclaimed oak for the ceilings, sourced from regional barns. This choice immediately grounded the high-ceilinged rooms, providing a sense of age and structural gravity. The flooring and entryways utilized bluestone, mimicking the exterior stonework and blurring the line between the indoor and outdoor environments.
Materiality and Supporting Data in High-End Design
The project highlights a growing trend in the luxury market for "quiet luxury" and sustainable sourcing. According to market analysis of the Cape and Islands region, properties that incorporate high-end, custom-designed interiors using reclaimed or local materials see a higher long-term valuation compared to those with standard luxury finishes.
In the kitchen, Farmer moved away from the ubiquitous white-and-marble palette. Instead, she utilized Benjamin Moore’s "Mediterranean Olive" for the cabinetry, paired with a backsplash from Bantam Tileworks. This choice reflected the island’s lush summer greenery. The project also utilized high-end textiles from European and American houses, including Pierre Frey, Zak + Fox, and Lulie Wallace, ensuring that every surface provided tactile depth.
The living room serves as the home’s centerpiece, featuring a mix of a Zak + Fox-upholstered BDDW sofa and a Pierre Frey-covered Nickey Kehoe sofa. Texture was further enhanced through an Atelier Vime wicker pendant and 1930s Swedish stools sourced from 1stDibs. This eclectic mix of mid-century Scandinavian design and traditional French textiles creates a layered look that suggests a collection gathered over decades rather than a single shopping trip.
The Guest House: Balancing Hospitality and Remote Work
A significant component of the 4,900-square-foot compound is the two-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bath guest house. In the post-pandemic era, the functionality of vacation homes has evolved. For a Harvard professor, the guest house needed to serve a dual purpose: a "private retreat" for seasonal visitors and a quiet, professional environment for remote work.
Farmer treated the guest house as a "junior version" of the main residence, maintaining a consistent color story but on a different scale. It features a full kitchen, a living space, and an office. The inclusion of vintage McGuire bamboo and rattan barstools and Nickey Kehoe pendants ensures that the guest quarters do not feel like an afterthought, but rather a cohesive extension of the family’s lifestyle.
The connectivity between the two buildings is facilitated by a winding stone path, reinforcing the "compound" feel that is highly coveted in the Martha’s Vineyard real estate market.
Broader Impact and Real Estate Implications
The Eel Pond Lane project reflects broader shifts in the Martha’s Vineyard real estate market. Edgartown remains one of the most expensive zip codes in the United States. According to the Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank Commission and local brokerage reports, the median sale price for homes in Edgartown has seen a steady increase, with premium "compounds" near the water and Main Street commanding the highest prices.
However, as the market reaches new heights, buyers are increasingly looking for "soulful" properties. The standard "spec home" model—new construction with generic luxury finishes—is seeing competition from meticulously renovated historic properties or new builds that successfully mimic historic charm. Farmer’s work on this property serves as a blueprint for how to add value to a modern home by stripping away the "generic" and replacing it with "vernacular" design.
Furthermore, the project supports the local creative economy. By featuring artwork by local painter Jennifer Christy and utilizing regional craftspeople for the woodwork and tiling, the renovation reinvests in the island’s community. This "local-first" approach is becoming a hallmark of high-end New England design, where provenance is as important as aesthetics.
Conclusion: A New Standard for Island Living
The completion of the Eel Pond Lane compound marks a personal and professional milestone for both the designer and the homeowners. For the family, the move-in was described as a "sigh of relief," representing the end of a long search for a home that felt like it truly belonged to Martha’s Vineyard.
Nina Farmer’s rejection of standard nautical tropes in favor of a rustic, texture-heavy "Up-Island" aesthetic in the heart of Edgartown suggests a maturing of vacation home design. It acknowledges that a house can be luxurious without being fussy, and new without feeling "new." As Martha’s Vineyard continues to evolve as a premier global destination, the emphasis on authenticity, reclaimed materials, and a deep sense of place will likely define the next era of New England architecture.
In the words of Farmer, the goal was to create a space where the "ethos" of the island—the slow mornings at the farmer’s market, the buttery lobster rolls at the beach, and the history of the Agricultural Fair—could be felt within the four walls of the home. By all accounts, this Edgartown compound has successfully captured that elusive spirit.
