Where the home is…

The old saying “location, location, location” means more than just finding the right neighborhood. For our Architecture team location is also about insuring that a house harmonizes with its’ site. For this new construction project Peter Breese designed a house that emphasised the site’s beautiful pond and ocean view.This resulted in a unique floor plan that nestles into the landscape.  As a way to showcase the long graceful lines of the house we designed a custom Dining Room server that featured the floor plan. We commissioned artisan Marty Harris of  Marty Harris Furniture, who used a balance of time-honored techniques and modern innovation to build it. The piece features six custom drawers that open with a spring mechanism activated by pushing in the drawer front. The design of the house is cut into the walnut shelf. It is accented by a Brooks Custom zinc back panel, complete with integrated down lighting and dovetailed drawers. The server is a beautiful reminder that for this Vineyard summer house location took on a whole new meaning. 

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A model life…

When someone decides to build a house, they often have a vision of the home they’ve been dreaming of. The job of Architects and Designers is to take that idea and make it tangible. One aspect of our design process is wooden scale models as part of an integrated presentation package. The construction of a physical model allows our clients to engage in the design process, bringing their projects to life in multiple dimensions.It also helps the client, architect and builders to physically understand the design of the house and how it interacts with the site. It is an effective and beautiful way to tell the story of the design long before the construction process begins.

When someone decides to build a house, they often have a vision of the home they’ve been dreaming of. The job of Architects and Designers is to take that idea and make it tangible. One aspect of our design process is wooden scale models as part of an integrated presentation package. The construction of a physical model allows our clients to engage in the design process, bringing their projects to life in multiple dimensions.It also helps the client, architect and builders to physically understand the design of the house and how it interacts with the site. It is an effective and beautiful way to tell the story of the design long before the construction process begins.

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A material world…

There are so many great finishes in the design world to choose from that it makes selecting them one of the most exciting aspects of being a Designer today. We’re constantly sourcing new and interesting materials to incorporate into our designs.

In a recent project we used the Nimbus wall covering by Weitzner. Made from South American fig tree bark, this handmade paper brings an attractive natural elegance to any space. It was the perfect subtle wall finish for the master bedroom feature wall in this summer house. Without drawing attention away from the custom walnut built in, the wall covering gives visual interest and texture with its organic pattern. To add contrast we used the Benjamin Moore  paint color Hazy Skies. The natural characteristics of this wall covering help to enhance the warm, relaxing environment we created for this special retreat. 

We wanted to add fun pieces of the island’s past to our client’s newly built home and while searching through a box of vintage Martha’s Vineyard postcards we stumbled upon some really great ones. They interested us not only for their images of bygone days but also for the notes written across them. What was most fascinating were the very personal messages that people would write on the front of these cards. It didn’t seem to bother the senders that anyone holding the card could read the note written there. Until 1907 private postcard companies were not allowed to have “divided-back” postcards and so people were forced to send messages on and around the images on the front. Most had typical vacation messages but a few stood out from the rest. We couldn’t resist and bought our three favorites. 

We wish we knew more about the people who wrote these cards but history has left us only our imaginations!

 Bluffs at Innisfail, Martha’s Vineyard, MA Copright 1905

“I want to know what ma told you heard about me, she won’t tell me.” Signed Louise

Postmarked 1911

 Oak Bluff, Martha’s Vineyard, MA

“This is the way to keep cool.” Signed Jones

Postmarked 1905 

Church at St. Paul & Rectory, Warren, MA

“Ma, there is a dance given by the BDMQ church Thursday night and I got a bid to go. So will you please spare me twenty five cents. Wish you a happy new year, will expect the money.” At the top of the card: “You know I will have to go to get over the effects of Tuesday night. That woman struck me funny.” Signed LM 

Postmarked: 1906

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We’re Styling……

Styling a photo shoot can make the difference between thumbing through a magazine or stopping and reading the article. Kristen and Breeze from our team spent three weeks gathering beautiful pieces from all over the island and their studio for the shoot. They had the opportunity to work with the talented photographer Brian Vanden Brink and the result of that collaboration is the stunning photography you see in the current issue of New England Home Magazine. Breese Architects and ISMV were featured in this issue for our recent project here on the island.We focused on all of the details from the dishes in the cupboards to the art on the walls featuring local artists. Pulling all of those elements together in combination with Brian’s passion and patience for working with natural light paid off, providing the perfect showcase for this amazing house.

Here is just a sampling of some of the beautiful  Brian Vanden Brink images from the shoot, to see all of the images, head to New England Home Magazine and click the current issue button “Dramatic License” is the name of the article!

Cover Model

With stunning architecture and interiors by Breese Architects and Interiors Studio Martha’s Vineyard, the design for this amazing summer home was bound to get noticed. We are proud and honored to have made the cover of New England Home’s September/October 2011 issue! It’s on newstands now, pick up a copy to see the beautiful photography by Brian Vandenbrink and read all about how the partnering of our companies made a unqiue Vineyard retreat for a great family! As soon as the issue goes online we’ll let you know!

 

Coming around again…

During a Brimfield treasure hunt, we stumbled upon two antique French riddling racks. We fell in love with the slightly distressed wood and small cubby holes. We brought them back to the Studio and have used them as a way to display some of our favorite fabrics.

 Originally they were created as a way to remove sediment from champagne during the second fermentation of the sparkling wine. Each bottle is placed neck down into one of the cubbies. Everyday they are taken out, lightly shaken and turned by a Remuer who has has been specially trained.

  Because it isn’t cost effective anymore to have someone manually turn the bottles everyday, only the finest champagnes are still made using this age old tradition. Maybe that’s why it tastes so good!

In our studio, drapping fabric is a unique way to display some of our favorite textiles.

 

Today riddling racks can be used as wonderful ways to store a personal wine collection or, even as containers for edible gardens. Here are a couple of our favorite uses.

Using a riddeling rack as a wallcovering is a great way to add visual interest.

 Use to create an edible wall! A beautiful way to maximize space in a small garden.  

Make it custom…

We love creating custom pieces for our clients. Recently we had the opportunity to create a one of a kind dining table using an amazing vintage United Airlines sign as inspiration. Purchased from the Brimfield Antique show, the sign hung in our showroom until a client showed interest in it. We began thinking of ways to incorporate the piece into their home. The sign’s rich patina color palette is the true aesthetic appeal. Framing it with a blackened bronze finish helped to enhance this aspect. With the help of Hudson Furniture, based in New York, we were able to create a distinctly unique piece. Designing furniture for our clients allows us to not only collaborate with other artists but also to show our design capabilities.

 

To see more images from this project visit us at Breese Architects and Interiors Studio Martha’s Vineyard

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Well hello there…

“It is only at the first encounter that a face makes it’s full impression on us.” Arthur Schopenhauer

People always believe that first impressions are everything. The same can be said  for houses. The architecture is what is first seen and it is the entryway that can provide great insight into understanding the way a family lives. It can be quiet and unassuming, bold and dramatic or let nature welcome you in. No matter what style, the entry should refelect and speak to the rest of the home and the family that lives there.  

Here are some entryways we’ve helped to create:

Vineyard Haven Yacht Club

Summer time and the living is easy…

The Studio is really busy and we’re getting more and more excited about the approach of our season. We’re always looking for new inspiration to infuse our latest projects with energy and style. For a few of our best picks we only needed to look as far as our own studio…..while others we found in some of our favorite places. The pops of color and relaxed feeling of these pieces make them a perfect fit for everyone’s summer.