Author(s): Amanda Benchley, Tamara Weiss

House & Home

While the Hamptons has stolen all the attention as the chic summer spot, a secret society of tastemakers and creatives have chosen the lower-key island of Martha’s Vineyard to hone their crafts and make their homes. The low-key, picturesque island just six miles off the coast of Cape Cod has a long history as a geographical muse for artists and writers: Lillian Hellman and William Styron wrote while overlooking the Vineyard Haven harbor, and Thomas Hart Benton painted the winding roads of what is known as “Up-island” more than 100 years ago.Vineyard Folk reveals how a new generation continues to build on these creative legacies, resulting in homes as unique and diverse as their creators. Directly informed by their personalities and the varied island landscapes, the result is a mix of weathered, sea-side ambience, cutting-edge design, and New England tradition. From modern glass houses overlooking the red cliffs of Aquinnah and jewel-box fishing cottages in Menemsha to rambling farmhouses behind Chilmark’s hand-built stone walls, the candy-colored Victorians of Oak Bluff’s historical African American community, and stately 19th-century whaling Captain mansions in Edgartown, all the homes have stories to tell and inspiration to share.