Originally built in 1873, the three-story, nearly 5,800-square-foot home needed an aesthetic and structural remodel. The Victorian residence in Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts received many mismatched renovations as it changed owners throughout the years.
Only interior designers Vineyard Decorators, were initially brought into the project. However when the homeowners discussed how unlivable the space felt to their lifestyle, Martha’s Vineyard Engineering & Design were brought in for architecture and engineering and D. Best Construction handled the renovation construction.
“This project was probably the most unique of its kind because I would equate it to being a surgical renovation,” said Doug Best, owner of D. Best Construction. “It was a restructuring of the interior of the house without affecting the exterior from the inside out.”
The exterior of the home is protected as apart of the William Street Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places. Changes to the exterior without permission of the local Historic District Commission.
“The engineering was very challenging,” said Casey Decker, principal engineer and owner, of Martha’s Vineyard Engineering & Design. “How do you hold up a three-story building, remove all interior bearing walls, replace them with steel beams and columns, and deal with an old rubble foundation?” Despite this challenge, the renovation team opened the kitchen and dining room while reinforcing the structural integrity of the house with hidden steel beams.
With the structural component of the renovation solved, the interior design flourished. Vineyard Decorators merged the classic style of the home with a contemporary warmness.
“There was a lot about the house they loved and didn’t want to change, so there was so much to work with,” said interior designer Paulina Capen. “That was the assignment: to work with. They didn’t want it to feel…overly designed,”
They transformed an existing corner bedroom into a gray-blue office that overlooks Vineyard Haven Harbor. This touch made the house more tailored to their lifestyle. Additionally, throughout the home existing or original materials were reused to honor the home’s original charm. The remodeling team was crafty by reusing doors and door knobs, integrating bathroom fixtures and reupholstering furniture. The oak and etched glass front doors remained untouched.
This remodel is a blend of contemporary and classic achieved by the collaboration of engineering, construction and interior design.
Photo Credit: Armhed Louis Jean
