The ADE Cover Story: Why This Home and Why Martha's Vineyard
The cover of a book is the first thing people see, and I wanted mine to reflect not just the content of the book but the deeper meaning behind it. When deciding on a book cover, especially one as deeply personal as mine, I wanted to create something that resonated not just with my story, but also with the history and craftsmanship that have shaped my family’s connection to Martha’s Vineyard (originally known as Noepe and home to the Wampanoag people). Choosing the Martha’s Vineyard home, revamped by interior designer Nina Farmer, for the cover was not just a design choice; it was a way to quietly honor the legacy of this island refuge that has held tangible significance for me and my family for generations.
Martha’s Vineyard occupies a permanent place in our family lore, and it has been a significant rendezvous point for my family story for decades. The Inkwell, the island's de facto historic beach enclave for Black families, was the first ocean I visited when I was just seven months old. My family’s history on the Vineyard dates back to the 1960s, when my grandparents and mom moved to Boston from Georgia when my mom was three. Even after my mother moved to Europe in the 60s, Martha’s Vineyard remained the gathering place for our family every summer. Since then, the Vineyard has been our year-round place to get together as a family, away from the hustle of our busy DC lives, where we actually live pretty close to each other. My late grandmother (Omi, above smiling in the green shirt), and my Uncle Alton were laid to rest here, their ashes returned to the island's ocean.
My Uncle Alton lived on the island full-time and played a significant role in shaping the Vineyard’s architectural landscape. He ran a general contracting business, called "Alton At Your Service", and worked on some of the island’s most iconic Gingerbread houses, like the Cinderella Cottage. These charming, colorful cottages are what many tourists venture to Martha’s Vineyard to see every summer, and my older brothers, who worked with him every summer, also contributed to preserving these historical structures. This family legacy of craftsmanship and connection to the island’s architectural history is a key reason behind my choice to have a Martha’s Vineyard home grace the cover of my book.
I initially discovered the home that would become the cover of my book while daydreaming renovation ideas for my family’s home on Martha’s Vineyard (image below of my mom behind the home in the 90s). I came across Nina’s home on Pinterest in 2020, and it immediately caught my attention. The exposed beams and vaulted ceilings, characteristic of Vineyard Modern architecture, reminded me of our home, though hers was in a far more refined state design-wise. But what really stood out to me was how Nina had incorporated African decor into her home in a way that was bold, unapologetic, and front and center.
Nina’s home (below: Nina's exterior) struck a perfect balance between honoring the established aesthetics of Martha’s Vineyard—organic materials, a connection to the sea, and a sense of understated elegance—and introducing a global perspective that is not often seen in the island’s interior design. This combination of traditional Vineyard style with African influences on the inside felt like a global interpretation of the Martha’s Vineyard I grew up knowing. It was fresh, vibrant, and deeply connected to the world while still being rooted in the island’s unique culture and history.
The choice to feature this particular home on the cover was a deliberate one. It represents not just a personal connection to the island, but also a broader narrative about the importance of honoring tradition while embracing new perspectives. The exposed beams, vaulted ceilings, and carefully curated decor all tell a story of craftsmanship, attention to detail, and a deep respect for the materials and history that define Martha’s Vineyard.
Nina's Martha’s Vineyard home on the cover represents more than just a beautiful space; it represents a connection to my family’s history, the island’s unique culture, and how these are part of a larger dialog on the importance of preserving craftsman in all corners of the globe.
Purchase The African Decor Edit: Collecting and Decorating with Heritage Objects today.