Edgartown Road: A Preppy, Playful Cottage with a Secret Garden Soul

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Tucked along Edgartown Road sits one of those rare island homes that feels instantly familiar—warm, welcoming, and full of quiet charm. Purchased by clients with an intuitive eye for color, pattern, and local history, this cottage was already lovingly cared for when Vineyard Decorators stepped in. Our role was not to reinvent it, but to enhance what was already there, layering personality, joy, and a distinctly Vineyard sensibility throughout.

Interior Design, Furniture & Decor: Vineyard Decorators

Painting: Skipper Painting

Realtor: Dawn Bellenate of Sandpiper

From the start, the aesthetic was clear: preppy, fun, playful, and colorful, yet never overdesigned. A home that feels styled but approachable. Beautiful, but always kid-friendly. Blue and green—chosen by the clients—became the guiding thread, woven through every room in thoughtful, intentional ways.

The home itself had been meticulously renovated by the previous owner, a now-retired architect, and it showed. Rather than gut or overhaul, we focused on refreshing and refining—repairing and repainting throughout with Skipper Painting, and then letting color, pattern, and texture do the heavy lifting.

Wallpaper became a storytelling device, used sparingly but impactfully. In the dining room, soft blue watercolor hydrangeas nod to the iconic blooms that line Edgartown’s streets each summer. It’s a quiet reference, instantly recognizable to anyone who knows the island, and it brings a sense of place to everyday meals.

In the children’s room, playful blue watercolor lobsters dance across the walls—an unmistakably coastal motif—balanced by crisp blue trim and doors. A pop of green in the dresser adds contrast and energy, keeping the space lighthearted.

The guest bedroom introduces Schumacher block-print florals, perfectly echoed in the custom Roman shade fabric. These small moments of repetition—pattern meeting pattern, color answering color—are what elevate a cottage from charming to cohesive.

In the owner’s bedroom, a custom Lee Industries bed takes center stage, upholstered in a fabric the client fell in love with on their very first visit to Vineyard Decorators. Playful trim on the Roman shades adds just enough contrast, turning a simple stripe into something quietly special with a contrast trim.

Art throughout the home was largely sourced locally by the clients, whose appreciation for island artists and history adds yet another layer of authenticity. These pieces don’t just decorate the walls—they root the home in its place, its community, and its story.

Much of the furniture was sourced during Vineyard Decorators’ custom sale period—offered each October and February—allowing the clients to invest thoughtfully in pieces that feel timeless, not trendy. Upholstery and case goods were chosen to feel relaxed, durable, and inviting, reinforcing the idea that this is a home meant to be lived in, not tiptoed around.

Performance fabrics were layered throughout—like the Perennials bench cushion—chosen not just for their beauty, but for their practicality. Fade-resistant. Stain-resistant. Designed for real island living.

Outside, the home opens into what can only be described as a secret garden. Lush, enclosed, and deeply inviting, the exterior spaces were furnished with iconic teak pieces designed, manufactured, and imported by Island Imports—Vineyard Decorators’ parent company.

An existing arbor becomes a destination of its own with custom cushions, while dining and lounging areas feel ready for long summer afternoons and candlelit evenings. Best of all, every piece was in stock and available for immediate delivery on island—proof that you don’t have to wait to create something truly special.

Edgartown Road is a reminder that great design doesn’t need to shout. Sometimes, it smiles. It welcomes. It feels like summer the moment you step inside. And most importantly, it feels like home—preppy, playful, and perfectly at ease on Martha’s Vineyard.