A Beautiful Martha’s Vineyard Retreat Designed for Two Families to Share

On Martha’s Vineyard sits a shingled coastal retreat with an unusually thoughtful purpose. Two brothers and their young families wanted a place they could genuinely share, one that felt breezy, serene, and easy to settle into. They turned to designer Pam Miyamoto of Gathered Interiors to bring that vision to life, working alongside Island Architects and Stedman Construction to create interiors that felt connected without being identical. Pam responded with a calm, coastal palette, soft textures, and a layout shaped around the natural rhythms of family life. What took shape is a home that feels grounded and inviting, whether it’s full of family or quietly easing into a summer morning.

Design: Gathered Interiors | Photography: Cristina Zolotaia | Styling: Elsa Riboldi

A Shared Vision, Two Distinct Families

Pam approached the project with a clear intention: to create interiors that feel unified without asking either family to compromise their personality. “The design challenge was creating a home that felt cohesive and warm while honoring the individuality of each family,” she shared. Instead of chasing perfect symmetry, she leaned into subtle variations. Small shifts in palette, artwork, and textiles that give each wing its own quiet identity while keeping the whole home grounded in the same coastal rhythm.

Landscape: Vineyard Exteriors

A Layout That Balances Closeness and Calm

The floor plan handles the two-family dynamic with an ease that feels almost intuitive. A long, light-filled central spine holds the kitchen, dining area, and living room, anchoring the home with a shared space meant for gathering.

From there, two private wings branch off—each with its own bedrooms and baths—giving both families room to follow their own routines without losing the sense of being together. Large windows frame views of the courtyard, pool, and guest house, so even quiet moments feel connected to the rest of the home. “Each family has its own wing, allowing them to enjoy privacy and quiet moments—whether that’s curling up with a book or simply relaxing—without ever feeling disconnected from the heart of the home,” says Pam.

Materials Rooted in Coastal Quiet

A material palette inspired by the island’s landscape ties the spaces together. “The materials throughout the home are mostly reclaimed woods, textural linens, woven accents, and a calm, coastal-inspired palette reflect the Vineyard’s natural beauty.” In the kitchen, Benjamin Moore’s Creamy White cabinetry and brass fixtures meet soft oak on the island and floors. The living room’s built-ins echo that tone, while the office takes a moodier turn with charcoal paneling and warm woods. Powdery blues show up in the pantry and mudroom, and the bedrooms layer natural textures with soft linens and woven lighting for a grounded, restful feel.

A Retreat Designed for Real Life

For all its refinement, this home was built around how families actually live. “It’s the perfect place to gather, entertain, and unwind together, while still having the space to slow down and recharge.” The bunk room gives kids their own nook to disappear into, the mudroom’s brick floors and baskets catch the post-beach chaos, and the poolside setup makes the indoors and outdoors feel connected. It’s the kind of home that’s happiest when it’s being lived in.

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