THE DRAWING BOARD
The Mermaid's Perch
Interior Decorator Marilyn Nerney
Profile by Nina E. Ferry
This budget project, affectionately named “The Mermaid Perch,” began as a practical solution providing a year-round space where Marilyn and Dexter Nerney, could live during nine-month renovation of the main house.
After owning a summer and weekend home on East Chop since 1986, Marilyn and Dexter decided to sell their Garrison Colonial on the mainland and move here full-time in 2011. Their property, abutting Crystal Lake, has been in the family since the 1940s–-raising children and memories throughout the decades. Although the property itself held meaning, the house–never big enough for the whole family–needed an update.
Asan established Interior decorator in the Greater Boston area, Marilyn has worked for Decorating Den Interiors, a full service decorating and consulting company, for 23 years. Living on-Island full-time, she now wants to work out of her home with local clients. Having continued access to her offices in Milton and Walpole, Marilyn is able to do research and bring samples to the Vineyard, as well as access the design center in Boston. Thus, she can offer competitive pricing under the international buying power of Decorating Den, while staying current through the on-going education offered on a monthly basis.
Essentially, the re-decorating of their house and the building of a garage apartment were Marilyn’s way of turning their summer getaway into a home. She says, “I love designing for clients, but its great to finally design for myself.”
The biggest challenge behind the “Perch” was keeping it on a tight budget, saving most of their resources for their permanent living space. Since the property is Coastal, Marilyn wanted the “Perch” to have “the whimsical feel of a summer home. One that is light and airy–a space where you can be in bed drinking coffee and feel like your outside.”
To accomplish this inside-outside feel, Marilyn worked closely with her architect Sam Sherman, who did a wonderful job incorporating high ceilings, tall windows and two sets of French doors to give the space flow and movement. The windows, “cottage windows with a twist,” as Marilyn says, are unique because only the shorter top half is split into panes. She chose these because “you get an unobstructed view through the bottom pane.” Similarly, the second story deck maintains a water view—a request Marilyn wasn’t sure would be granted due to set backs and town zoning laws. Between the architect and the builders, John Leite and Dan Martell, Marilyn was left with a blank canvas to transform.
Always designing her projects around a centerpiece, she chose a gorgeous green granite slab–with tones of lilac and lavender for the island in the kitchen. Since the “Perch” is year-round “it needed to be grounded by something earthy and significant. That granite was my way of anchoring the space,” says Marilyn. The addition of a gas woodstove added to the “grounding” by making it a cozy place in the winter.
Although this immaculate space appears to be new and custom made, Marilyn was able to stick to her budget by using old and new furniture to complete the interior. She says, “it’s fun to mix old and new because it gives a feeling of warmth; a lived in feeling, as opposed to a showroom. Old pieces are given life when paired with new slipcovers, furniture, or window treatments.”
With most furniture inherited from their traditional home, the “Perch” embodies a transitional decorative style. The interior painting, nicely done by Joe Cleary, is a combination of neutral tones with white trim, furthering the illusion of a large space and allowing for a mixed pallet of accessories and furniture pieces.
The Peacock-feather-laced love seats in the sitting area are transitional pieces paired with a prominent coffee table. With a smile, she says, “you do make compromises. I know in my heart of hearts that this table is too big for this space. But my husband LOVES this table! He wanted a big table to play games on when the kids come and it works. Decorating is very personal and everyone living in a space needs to be comfortable.”
Marilyn, settled in her seaside home, is now looking to bring her expertise and contacts to the Vineyard, offering full-service decorating – Marilyn brings all rug, carpet, wallcovering and furniture samples and does paint color consulation for the client’s home. If you are looking to transform your home, no matter what your budget, please contact the details below.
After owning a summer and weekend home on East Chop since 1986, Marilyn and Dexter decided to sell their Garrison Colonial on the mainland and move here full-time in 2011. Their property, abutting Crystal Lake, has been in the family since the 1940s–-raising children and memories throughout the decades. Although the property itself held meaning, the house–never big enough for the whole family–needed an update.
Asan established Interior decorator in the Greater Boston area, Marilyn has worked for Decorating Den Interiors, a full service decorating and consulting company, for 23 years. Living on-Island full-time, she now wants to work out of her home with local clients. Having continued access to her offices in Milton and Walpole, Marilyn is able to do research and bring samples to the Vineyard, as well as access the design center in Boston. Thus, she can offer competitive pricing under the international buying power of Decorating Den, while staying current through the on-going education offered on a monthly basis.
Essentially, the re-decorating of their house and the building of a garage apartment were Marilyn’s way of turning their summer getaway into a home. She says, “I love designing for clients, but its great to finally design for myself.”
The biggest challenge behind the “Perch” was keeping it on a tight budget, saving most of their resources for their permanent living space. Since the property is Coastal, Marilyn wanted the “Perch” to have “the whimsical feel of a summer home. One that is light and airy–a space where you can be in bed drinking coffee and feel like your outside.”
To accomplish this inside-outside feel, Marilyn worked closely with her architect Sam Sherman, who did a wonderful job incorporating high ceilings, tall windows and two sets of French doors to give the space flow and movement. The windows, “cottage windows with a twist,” as Marilyn says, are unique because only the shorter top half is split into panes. She chose these because “you get an unobstructed view through the bottom pane.” Similarly, the second story deck maintains a water view—a request Marilyn wasn’t sure would be granted due to set backs and town zoning laws. Between the architect and the builders, John Leite and Dan Martell, Marilyn was left with a blank canvas to transform.
Always designing her projects around a centerpiece, she chose a gorgeous green granite slab–with tones of lilac and lavender for the island in the kitchen. Since the “Perch” is year-round “it needed to be grounded by something earthy and significant. That granite was my way of anchoring the space,” says Marilyn. The addition of a gas woodstove added to the “grounding” by making it a cozy place in the winter.
Although this immaculate space appears to be new and custom made, Marilyn was able to stick to her budget by using old and new furniture to complete the interior. She says, “it’s fun to mix old and new because it gives a feeling of warmth; a lived in feeling, as opposed to a showroom. Old pieces are given life when paired with new slipcovers, furniture, or window treatments.”
With most furniture inherited from their traditional home, the “Perch” embodies a transitional decorative style. The interior painting, nicely done by Joe Cleary, is a combination of neutral tones with white trim, furthering the illusion of a large space and allowing for a mixed pallet of accessories and furniture pieces.
The Peacock-feather-laced love seats in the sitting area are transitional pieces paired with a prominent coffee table. With a smile, she says, “you do make compromises. I know in my heart of hearts that this table is too big for this space. But my husband LOVES this table! He wanted a big table to play games on when the kids come and it works. Decorating is very personal and everyone living in a space needs to be comfortable.”
Marilyn, settled in her seaside home, is now looking to bring her expertise and contacts to the Vineyard, offering full-service decorating – Marilyn brings all rug, carpet, wallcovering and furniture samples and does paint color consulation for the client’s home. If you are looking to transform your home, no matter what your budget, please contact the details below.