That’s to be expected—because the family owns Luzianne Tea. Come June, you’re apt to find them at their comfortable waterside home on Martha’s Vineyard. “It’s a summer destination we happily trade for the Southern heat,” Boatner says.
Though the couple’s impressive main house sits on lush acreage, it’s the boathouse-turned-guesthouse along the shore that receives the most affection. “If it’s everybody’s favorite place now, it certainly didn’t look like this when we bought the place in 1976,” Boatner says with a laugh.
The small shed was moved to the beachside property in the 1920s by the Coffin family, who now live next door. “It had a tiny front porch and was still filled with rowboats, catboats, and all kinds of sailing junk,” Boatner says.
The Reilys renovated the utilitarian building and doubled the size of the porch. “Now it’s a comfortable dining, entertaining, and relaxing area that stretches across the entire width of the building,” Wendy says. “Because it’s screened, the porch is a wonderfully functional space we can use all summer and fall.” The outdoor room overlooks the bustling activity on Katama Bay and nearby Chappaquiddick Island.
Inside, a crisp blue-and-white color scheme and simple furnishings reflect the astounding view. The 600-square-foot cottage includes one bedroom with twin beds, a sitting area, a bath, and a tiny kitchenette separated from the rest of the space by louvered doors. A vaulted ceiling with exposed beams enhances the sense of space. French doors divide the sitting area and the porch, opening to create additional room for entertaining. A bank of double-hung windows in the bedroom provides guests with views through the porch and out to the bay.
Sand buckets, beach towels, and picnic supplies fill wooden cupboards built into one wall of the porch, and sea glass and shells are scattered on shelves. Thanks to friends who send presents after memorable visits, the interiors change from year to year. One such gift was the seashell print fabric that now frames windows and covers accent pillows.
Over time, the Reilys have expanded their property to encompass five buildings on 4-plus acres, including a brand-new two-bedroom guesthouse. With a constant ebb and flow of company passing through, the extra beds are greatly needed, and visitors are happy to enjoy them—but only if the Boathouse is already occupied.
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Seaworthy Style
Get onboard with crisp and clean nautical looks.
