Beach Chic
Next to Lambert's Cove, a gorgeous waterfront renovation is being offered turnkey
It is mid-summer of 2019 and Lori Jessup of Newtown, Pennsylvania has asked to revisit the beach house on Boghouse Way her family had rented for many years previously. “We heard it had been completely renovated,” says Lori, “and we wanted to see what it looked like.”
What greets Lori in this secluded nook of West Tisbury’s north shore is more than she could possibly have imagined. “Oh my goodness,” she exclaims as she walks around the interior of the just-completed renovation. “It’s stunning.”
Indeed, few can believe the transformation that has occurred at this beach house located waterfront on a beautiful stretch of sandy beach just north of Lambert’s Cove. “Beach chic” is a term that has been applied, but it barely does justice to the renovation the new owners have done.
“We saw the potential the first time we set foot on the property,” says Nina Farmer, who purchased 56 Boghouse Way in the fall of 2018 with her friend and business partner Oleanna Klein. And if there’s anyone who can see potential, it’s Nina, who owns the boutique Boston interior design firm, Nina Farmer Interiors. Says Nina: “We wanted the house to be as fabulous as the location.”
Both Nina and Oleanna visit the Island frequently with their families, and Nina is always willing to share her vision with anyone who is interested. “Most importantly, we wanted to create the ultimate beach house where people could relax with their families and enjoy a good old-fashioned vacation,” she says.
The interior layout of the home remains much the same – it has three bedrooms in the main part of the house, a separate bedroom suite, and a detached studio. However, the exterior has completely changed. The siding is now reclaimed cypress and the roof is long-lasting Alaskan cedar. The house has a rustic, understated appearance that is totally in keeping with the north shore vibe.
Inside, the overall ambience is achieved through a combination of many separate details. One of the first things a visitor notices is the kitchen and bathroom surfaces, which are made of Moroccan Tadelakt, the oldest plaster surface known to man. The almost buttery appearance belies its durability. After being hand-troweled for several coats, the finish is sealed with black soap, making the surface water-tight. The Tadelakt application was done by a specialist from New York.
The motif of the exterior is continued inside with the custom cabinet doors and beams hewn from the same reclaimed cypress. The floor is painted a light cream which makes the house light and bright, and, says Nina - the mother of two - “makes it harder to see any sand dragged in on little feet.”
This wasn’t just a cosmetic renovation. In addition to the roof and siding being replaced, all the windows and doors are new, energy-efficient Marvin products. There is also a brand-new deck, new HVAC system, and completely new kitchen and bathrooms. The renovation was done by Stedman Construction.
One of the differences between this renovation and many others is that the house is being sold completely turnkey down to the linens and pots and pans. The only exception is the artwork, curated from local artists such as Traeger di Pietro and Jennifer Christy, which is available separately for purchase should a buyer want it.
Visitors are inevitably struck by the furniture and furnishings, which Nina describes as “a combination of new and vintage furniture to create a relaxed beach chic aesthetic.” And so she mixes pieces such as a 1950s carved chair from Ethiopia with new lacquered nightstands from The Lacquer Company in England. The twin beds were custom made based on the design of a vintage rattan French daybed.
Nina took a trip with Architectural Digest to Morocco while working on the house and brought back numerous design details. Some of these include the paint detail in the twin bedroom, the crown molding detail in the queen bedroom, the floor tile in the guest wing, and multiple decorative accessories featured throughout the house.
Pieces from other far-flung parts of the planet have also made their way to this location. The open shelves in the kitchen feature black clay La Chamba cookware from Colombia. Each piece is hand crafted from local clay and burnished by hand. It is strong enough to be used on the stovetop, oven and microwave.
Of course, much of the appeal of this unique property is the fact it is waterfront with a private beach. A shady path from the new 300 square foot hardwood deck leads to an overlook with spectacular views of Vineyard Sound and the Elizabeth Islands. In the distance, sailboats pass by and fishermen can be seen plying the calm waters. Stunning sunsets can be experienced from the seating area.
A discrete staircase leads down to the private sandy beach belonging to 56 Boghouse Way. Significantly, the adjoining beach belongs to Sheriffs Meadow and beyond that is Lambert’s Cove, which many call their favorite beach on Martha’s Vineyard. And so the reality is that anyone who owns this property has half a mile of beach they can rightfully traverse. Says Nina: “You don’t even need a beach pass to Lambert’s Cove – it’s right out the back door.”
As Lori leaves the house she used to rent when it was a very, very different place, she shakes her head in wonderment. “Now that’s what I call a renovation,” she says. “Now I just have to convince my husband we need to buy it.”
What greets Lori in this secluded nook of West Tisbury’s north shore is more than she could possibly have imagined. “Oh my goodness,” she exclaims as she walks around the interior of the just-completed renovation. “It’s stunning.”
Indeed, few can believe the transformation that has occurred at this beach house located waterfront on a beautiful stretch of sandy beach just north of Lambert’s Cove. “Beach chic” is a term that has been applied, but it barely does justice to the renovation the new owners have done.
“We saw the potential the first time we set foot on the property,” says Nina Farmer, who purchased 56 Boghouse Way in the fall of 2018 with her friend and business partner Oleanna Klein. And if there’s anyone who can see potential, it’s Nina, who owns the boutique Boston interior design firm, Nina Farmer Interiors. Says Nina: “We wanted the house to be as fabulous as the location.”
Both Nina and Oleanna visit the Island frequently with their families, and Nina is always willing to share her vision with anyone who is interested. “Most importantly, we wanted to create the ultimate beach house where people could relax with their families and enjoy a good old-fashioned vacation,” she says.
The interior layout of the home remains much the same – it has three bedrooms in the main part of the house, a separate bedroom suite, and a detached studio. However, the exterior has completely changed. The siding is now reclaimed cypress and the roof is long-lasting Alaskan cedar. The house has a rustic, understated appearance that is totally in keeping with the north shore vibe.
Inside, the overall ambience is achieved through a combination of many separate details. One of the first things a visitor notices is the kitchen and bathroom surfaces, which are made of Moroccan Tadelakt, the oldest plaster surface known to man. The almost buttery appearance belies its durability. After being hand-troweled for several coats, the finish is sealed with black soap, making the surface water-tight. The Tadelakt application was done by a specialist from New York.
The motif of the exterior is continued inside with the custom cabinet doors and beams hewn from the same reclaimed cypress. The floor is painted a light cream which makes the house light and bright, and, says Nina - the mother of two - “makes it harder to see any sand dragged in on little feet.”
This wasn’t just a cosmetic renovation. In addition to the roof and siding being replaced, all the windows and doors are new, energy-efficient Marvin products. There is also a brand-new deck, new HVAC system, and completely new kitchen and bathrooms. The renovation was done by Stedman Construction.
One of the differences between this renovation and many others is that the house is being sold completely turnkey down to the linens and pots and pans. The only exception is the artwork, curated from local artists such as Traeger di Pietro and Jennifer Christy, which is available separately for purchase should a buyer want it.
Visitors are inevitably struck by the furniture and furnishings, which Nina describes as “a combination of new and vintage furniture to create a relaxed beach chic aesthetic.” And so she mixes pieces such as a 1950s carved chair from Ethiopia with new lacquered nightstands from The Lacquer Company in England. The twin beds were custom made based on the design of a vintage rattan French daybed.
Nina took a trip with Architectural Digest to Morocco while working on the house and brought back numerous design details. Some of these include the paint detail in the twin bedroom, the crown molding detail in the queen bedroom, the floor tile in the guest wing, and multiple decorative accessories featured throughout the house.
Pieces from other far-flung parts of the planet have also made their way to this location. The open shelves in the kitchen feature black clay La Chamba cookware from Colombia. Each piece is hand crafted from local clay and burnished by hand. It is strong enough to be used on the stovetop, oven and microwave.
Of course, much of the appeal of this unique property is the fact it is waterfront with a private beach. A shady path from the new 300 square foot hardwood deck leads to an overlook with spectacular views of Vineyard Sound and the Elizabeth Islands. In the distance, sailboats pass by and fishermen can be seen plying the calm waters. Stunning sunsets can be experienced from the seating area.
A discrete staircase leads down to the private sandy beach belonging to 56 Boghouse Way. Significantly, the adjoining beach belongs to Sheriffs Meadow and beyond that is Lambert’s Cove, which many call their favorite beach on Martha’s Vineyard. And so the reality is that anyone who owns this property has half a mile of beach they can rightfully traverse. Says Nina: “You don’t even need a beach pass to Lambert’s Cove – it’s right out the back door.”
As Lori leaves the house she used to rent when it was a very, very different place, she shakes her head in wonderment. “Now that’s what I call a renovation,” she says. “Now I just have to convince my husband we need to buy it.”
Exclusively listed by Mark Jenkins
Wallace & Co. Sotheby’s International Realty
(774) 263-3196 | mark@wallacemv.com
Wallace & Co. Sotheby’s International Realty
(774) 263-3196 | mark@wallacemv.com