Kate recently completed some much-needed updates to her pre-war cottage in Martha’s Vineyard, a getaway that has been in her family since the 1950s. Her renovation journey took her and her husband Ted from their home in Rhode Island… to the camp in Martha’s Vineyard… to a very serious sidetrip to Baltimore, where Ted underwent cancer treatment… and with positive results, back to the Vineyard to finish the job. Read on for Kate’s heartwarming story — and her heartwarming cottage kitchen and interior.
Kate writes:
Dear Pam,
Let me begin by thanking you for providing me the best of happy distractions during a very difficult year – and for sharing so many useful resources while I endeavored to add some mid-century charm to the tiny Martha’s Vineyard cottage I inherited (originally my grandparents’ summer getaway purchased by them in 1950).
Every home has its stories, and this one is no exception. I still have to uncover where my cottage was first built, and whether the original kitchen, bath and bedroom were assembled from a kit. Family lore has it, though, that the cottage was part of the Methodist Campground in Oak Bluffs, MA, before it was moved to its current site on Crystal Lake, East Chop, Martha’s Vineyard. The main part of the house, the aforementioned kitchen, bath and tiny bedroom, are held together with wing nuts – no kidding! All lined up neatly.
As we removed old shingles and tore out wallboard in the bedroom, we kept our eyes pealed for numbers or labels on the exposed studs that would point us to a kit, but found nothing.
My husband had already discovered Formica’s Boomerang pattern and used it for his counters when he remodeled his Vineyard kitchen. I absolutely loved the coral shade and knew I would use it in my cottage as well.
But I also wanted retro flooring and appliances. And that is how I found your wonderful site! You answered my need when it came to the kitchen floor (perfect hexagonal Japanese variegated green tiles from American Universal Tile):
- Appliances — Northstar 1951 mint green fridge…
Faucet — Dishmaster, of course!…
- Fabric — Full Swing Textiles barkcloth to recover the seat of my hand-carved Mission rocker…
- And the Dash & Albert bedroom rug…
Your Etsy recommendations provided me with vintage linens, and some of your eBay finds found their way into my kitchen.
But I’m jumping ahead of myself here! Back up to 2008 – August – when my father died and the cottage was now going to be my responsibility. It had been rented by the same couple for at least 15 summers, with no renovations since the early 80’s. The floor was the same green linoleum with steel frame that had been there when my grandfather bought it.
The renters stayed there for one more summer, then decided they wanted to retire on the Island and bought their own house. Yikes! My turn to bring back some charm and get the cottage rentable.
There were some major structural problems, rotting wood, etc., that had to be addressed. We found a great carpenter who could help with that. Countertops and cabinets my husband would oversee. I would be the painter and decorator (the fun part!). We got started in the fall of 2009. When we weren’t spending our weekends working feverishly on the Vineyard, I’d be home in Narragansett, RI, reading everything you posted and hunting the consignment shops. I was hooked on mid-century (heck, I AM mid-century!), and your guidance was everything I needed to forge full speed ahead. We wanted it all done by the spring of ’10.
Then in February, the wind went out of our sails. My dear husband was diagnosed with base of tongue cancer, stage 4, and our lives came to a screeching halt. We headed down to Johns Hopkins, in Baltimore, where they have the #1 head/neck cancer center in the world. We decided that we would move to Baltimore during his course of treatment, which began with three induction chemotherapies, with 16 days between each round.We were able to return for about a week between each of these, during which we would go to the Vineyard to resume working on the cottage. We had already removed the kitchen counters to serve as templates for a fabricator in Rhode Island. He had our Formica Boomerang countertops done by March, literally days before they were forced out of business permanently because of the historic Rhode Island floods (and, as we’ve come to learn, months before Formica discontinued that color). We carefully strapped them on the top of our van and drove them to the Vineyard, keeping our fingers crossed that they would fit.
Well, fit they did, and that weekend in March, my husband got them fixed permanently in place, with stainless steel trim and stainless sink to boot. That was the last weekend he would be able to work on the cottage until his cancer treatments were complete. We now had six months in Baltimore to endure, during their hottest summer on record…
Not one to dwell on life’s gloomy side, I looked for more pleasant preoccupations when my role as caregiver wasn’t in play. Combing your site whetted my appetite for all things 50’s, and our apartment was in the Mt. Washington neighborhood of Baltimore – not far from Johns Waters’ stomping grounds of Hampden. Ahhhhhhhh – what wonderful consignment shops lined The Avenue (36th St) there. Just a few miles from the apartment, plenty of parking, and the fabulous Hon Café, with the two story pink flamingo in front, for a cup of tea when my sleuthing was done. I was in 50’s heaven!
Fast forward through the tough stuff – my dear husband and I weathered something no couple should ever have to go through, and have emerged to the other side to enjoy each day back home in Narragansett, Rhode Island. Our return trip from Baltimore was in a van packed with our belongings and the 50’s treasures I bagged for my cottage (that’s a metal kitchen cabinet with green cracked ice Formica top!).
And after a month of recuperation, Ted’s strength slowly began to return. We managed to get to the Vineyard several times this fall, so we could begin putting the finishing touches on my cottage and see what my trusty carpenter had been working on.
I am now finished with the inside of the cottage, a little over a year from starting, and have outside painting to do when the spring arrives. It will indeed be rentable by June, only one summer behind schedule.
I turned to you for most of my sources and inspiration, and for a lighthearted diversion from the most difficult time of our lives. Thank you, Pam!
For more pictures of the renovation, you can take a look here [sorry, link broke - pam]
All the best from a true follower and fan!
Kate Meleney
Wow, Kate. Thank you SO MUCH for sharing your story. The cottage is lovely — what a beautiful place, for beautiful people. 
I really think you have a Hodgson Camp House on your hands. I did post previously on the full-sized Hodgson Houses.… but they also made camp houses and cottages — which bolted together. And, they were made in Massachusetts. Has to be. I have two catalogs. Watch for my post on these — just for you — later this week!
Update: It turns out Kate is some kind of rock star in the bead-world. She didn’t mention THAT to me. Check out her website — KateFowle.com, to see more of her beautiful creations.
Oh, my, that is a great story. So happy hubby Ted is recovered as well as that glorious cottage. My only question: how can you now turn it over to renters? I hope you find some who truly appreciate what you have done and love and cherish all your work and fun finds.
Absolutely Charming! And, inspiring!
Is it possible the cottage could be one of theses?
http://www.styleathome.com/decorating-and-design/outdoor-living/a-beautiful-beach-cottage/a/194
OMG–What a great job with color, texture, and whimsy! I luuuuuuuuvvvvvvvvvvv that chrome&vinyl daisy chair! It’s so gratifying to see treasures displayed with style and care! Makes me happy to reduce my thrifting addiction, knowing others carry the mantle so expertly.
Maybe you should give a contact number or web site so retro renovators can consider renting the place!
And best wishes to hubby as he recovers and shares in the success!
Notes (caption) in Photo #1 give the link to the rental! (Not checking out the photos & captions in detail before commenting leads one to reply to one’s own comment–oy!)
I would live there full time!
Everything looks fabulous, Kate! Beautiful decor–anyone can see how much time and loving care you spent on renovating!
Kate,
A happy, sad, wonderful journey.
I am very glad that you were able to continue these projects throughout this ordeal. Having this renovation “on the side” was a great release, I am sure. Being a caregiver- especially to someone you love- is the most rewarding and difficult task we can do in this life. This house will continue to serve as a “timeline” for you and I wish you years of happy times and fond memories.
LOVE it! What a treasure – and you’re the perfect couple for it. Enjoy!
I love Kate Fowle! She is one of the most innovative beadmakers around, and how lovely to hear that Ted is back on track. And how strange to read about it on Retro Ren!
Yay!
Wow. This might be one of my favorite things on this blog ever. I love the green hex tile-so cute! Great job.
Hey Kate!
What about the stove? Did you just paint the door or add a new one? I love the two-tone white & green, but it looks all white in one photo. What vintage & dimensions is it?
Maybe Pam knows…
Also love the matching Waxed Paper holder?? hanging on the wall perpendicular to the stove wall.
Obviously I can’t get enough of this story!
Hi Susan,
The captions on my Flicker stream give the full story to some of the goodies in the house. One of my dear friends suggested I have the front of the 20″ Summit gas stove painted to match the fridge when I couldn’t find one in mint green in that miniature size (except an AGA for some whopping amount!). The auto shop that refurbished my 1965 Malibu (not pictured in any of this) was happy to oblige and sleuthed out the perfect green for it. I’ve written to Summit with the hope that I could land a stainless steel handle, but no answer yet.
Kate,
If your handle if metal you can have it chromed yourself. Your auto body place can probably give you a recomendation if you don’t already know of a metals plating shop in your area. I had the metal doors chromed on my new white bottom drawer freezer to match my 1942 white oven and it turned out awesome.
Great job with all the details.
Thank you so much for sharing your story! I admire how you were able to balance such an extensive project with a medical crisis (and congrats on having such positive results on both ends!) I hope your husband has continued good health. On the house side, I love that the decor looks like it should- developed over time…not too glossy or matchy-matchy, but like a home that has been lovingly decorated over time. What an inspiration!
Thank you so much for sharing your story, Kate. I’m so glad Ted is doing well and am totally enamored with your cottage! You seem to have thought of everything! Every little detail was well thought out and tended to. It is truly gorgeous. Like a previous poster commented, how can you rent it out now?
Thank you for all of the details and photos. It was like Christmas this morning viewing every photo. My favorite part of this blog is viewing other readers re-dos. The counter tops are fantastic. The bathroom looks so fresh. The small bedroom so invited and homey. Great job!
Hi Kate,
Truly a wonderful story. So glad your husband had such wonderful care from the doctors AND from you. Your summer home looks gorgeous and should give you years of enjoyment. You and your husband did such a wonderful job with the help of a very handy man from the looks of it. Thanks for all the detailed pictures.
John aka AtomicHipster
I have one of the dispensers for the wall, mine holds aluminum foil, wax paper, and paper towels.
I love the teapot…who made it?
What a fabulous job to maintain the historical character of the cottage!
The electric one? That is a GE – couldn’t resist it when it was languishing there on eBay. It works!
It is just gorgeous…I will search for one now that I have a brand name, thanks so much! Blessings on you and your husband!
Oh I just realized there is more than one teapot…I meant the one with the yellow handle. Thanks again!
This is a truly inspiring story, from the delightful renovation project to the happy medical conclusion. Thank you, Kate, (and Ted) for sharing it with us! I particularly love the kitchen floor tile – just one outstanding choice in a superb group of design decisions.
I wish you both years of enjoyment in owning, and hopefully vacationing in, your beautifully redone cottage!
Look great. That teapot is amazing. Who makes it?
She said it was a GE.
That’s awesome, I drove a ’60 Rambler American (like the one pictured) as my daily driver in 1998 – ’99 after my regular car was totalled! That Rambler never let me down…
It’s a dependable car, that’s for sure! And of course, there’s a Rambler Club out there. There were even pink Rambler station wagons from that era. One of my pipe dreams!!
Kate:
You imagined it and you made it happen!!! Think of all the delight that will be experienced in that little gem of a vacation cottage. Way to go!
I adore your kitchen, completely. And, am glad that DH is doing well.
Sweet Lord-a-mercy, that is my dream kitchen! And to think that you did all that with a major crisis in your life! You are an inspiration, Kate–in renovating, in jewelry-making, and in living an amazing life.
Thank you so much, Jackie – Sometimes I felt guilty immersing myself in such a fun escape, but it was better than paying for therapy (and heck, I’d rather spend those $’s on kitsch that makes me smile!). And smiling is what it’s all about, after all. Good endorphins in that kitchen!
What a wonderful story and outcome for both the cottage, and especially, your husband. Thanks so much for sharing your story. I loved looking at all the kitchenware (I remember using the handheld crank mixer) and the way you brought everything together. thanks again.
Totally inspiring. I know you will both enjoy many happy years to come there!
Kate the cottage is great! I want to come and rent it! Hard to leave my neck of the woods in the summer, but I’m putting MV on my wish list for summer (2012). Patti
Patti – if you come to the Island, I’ll be there in my husband’s abode to be your personal tour guide!
Back again to ask about the carpet under your Mission rocker – it’s a sage green or soft gray textured low pile. Can you tell me the name, color and manufacturer by any chance? Thank you!
Oh Jane, Easy peasy! I bought it at Home Depot and it was a Stainmaster. We’ll see if it lives up to its promises when we have renters putting it through its paces.
Unlike Lowe’s, they will bind carpet that would otherwise be wall-to-wall. If you need to know the exact pattern, I would be happy to look it up for you.
Thank you, Kate! And good to know they will bind the edges. If you have the time to look it up, I’d love the specifics – many thanks in advance!
I’m almost embarrassed to say my heart was racing while looking at all the pictures – they wouldn’t come fast enough, yet flew by while I was still taking in the details. We are in the process of rebuilding a cottage on the River that was completely gutted by back-to-back floods a few years ago. I got a ’49 Sear gas range from mom and that started the plan…. ’48 Shelvador fridge, Youngstown kitchen cabinet with sink, chrome dinette table…. and boxes and boxes of ‘stuff’ that I can’t wait to start decorating with. Just need to get some walls, plumbing, and floors in. Thank you for all the wonderful ideas. This is going in my favorites so I can go back to it often. When it’s all done I will proudly post my before and afters. Blessings on you and yours.
good luck with everything, jennifer — and yes, take lots of photos and let me know when you’re ready for prime time!
I love your photos and story. How inspiring. My house was built in the early 1940′s. I have been looking for the metal around the counter like you have for my kitchen reno but have not been able to find it. Is yours original or new? Where did you find it?
Mariane, I have a very recent post on metal edgings — a “round up” showcasing all the known options. You can see it in the category Kitchens / Countertops.
Thanks for your inspiring story and the answer to what to do with my coral countertops!
Love it!! You put some wonderful details into the job! I have Aqua Boomerang counters but was SO torn between that and the coral colored pattern. The coral is such a great floor and looks great in your house. Love it with the floors.
Say hello to my friend Dawn if you ever shop at Bunch of Grapes bookstore in MV! (-:
Esme
Will do, Esme – one of my favorite spots on the Vineyard! I’m heading out there next week!
Kate