Pennacook: Small Footprint, Big Personality

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Our Pennacook Ave project was a complete teardown and rebuild in the historic district of Oak Bluffs. Due to historical preservation ordinances, the facade of this teardown had to remain exactly the same as that of the original structure - luckily the same did not apply to the interior of the home. Beyond the coral door, this whimsical home opens to creative freedom and endless possibilities.

Interior Design & Furniture: Vineyard Decorators

Architect: Sullivan Associates

General Contractor: Perdomos Construction

Given the home's smaller footprint, we worked closely with the team at Sullivan Associates to prioritize custom-milled storage solutions that keep essentials within reach while minimizing clutter, resulting in a smart and intentional interior layout.

A custom appliance garage provides a clean view and prevents accessories taking up valuable counter space.

The client's vision was to have a fun and playful cottage that felt like a complete departure from her primary residence. We leaned into the playful energy with bright color and patterns while keeping the design grounded with coastal rattan elements and warm natural woods. The final design feels bright and whimsical, maintaining a cottage feel while celebrating the coastal lifestyle.

One of the more special details in the home is the wallpaper in the dining nook. On a visit to Jubilee MV, on Circuit Avenue in Oak Bluffs, the homeowner immediately was drawn to the custom Martha's Vineyard wallpaper behind the counter featuring Oak Bluffs landmarks and illustrations of the rich impact of African American history on the Island. Oak Bluffs has a deep documentation of being a summer haven for Black families dating all the way back to the early 1900s. The wallpaper was also the perfect color match to the fun contrast trim color we'd selected.

Across from the main living space, the home office features a customized, built-in desk and a more neutral palette to create a serene space to focus.

The interior is a joyful exuberance of color, texture and pattern, dreamed up in a beachside candyland mind. We’re especially fond of the lifejacket wallpaper in the entryway—a charming design by Sara Fitz, whose work is deeply inspired by her ties to Nantucket and coastal New England. Perfectly capturing a coastal lifestyle, the tone of the lifejackets match back perfectly to a Schoolhouse light fixture. The small space makes a big impact on guests before they even step fully into the home.

Since the floor plan didn't change from the original design, we were able to spec and order tile before the construction even started. Though the home is designed for modern living, we selected vintage-inspired designs and themes throughout the redesign to maintain a cottage feel.

Continuing the turquoise theme, the mosaic tile and the light fixture add a pop to this powder room.

Classic subway tile gets a punchy update for this primary bathroom featuring a turquoise shower and coastal influences from the woven mirror and warm, custom, oak vanity.

A double twin bedroom is packed with functionality. The beds can be pushed together to make a king-sized bed. We used a simple linen bed skirt to disguise the wheels of the bed frame.

We were so excited to work with a client who was eager to lean in to such a fun aesthetic. This project is proof that a small footprint can still provide big personality.