What is the best way to launch a new home voyeur site?  Go on vacation!  Okay, I’m not so stellar in the timing department, but when it comes to picking a place with some gorgeous, “green with envy” inducing homes I picked a winner!

I’m on the last day of a two-week respite on the island of Martha’s Vineyard off the coast of Massachusetts, where the east coast elite have their “Sum-mah homes”.  I had grand plans to hit a few open houses, but when given the choice of that or the beach – the family chose to hit the waves.  Who brought them anyway? Instead here are few shots of the fantastic architecture I came across on a daily basis. I did do a bit of shopping, and found some interesting shops.  Check out some of my finds here.

While many of the homes on the island are summer havens, there are a fair amount of folks who live here year round. Operating on “island time” is a way of life and finding time to enjoy the great weather is key.  Private docks, enclosed patios and windows galore are all hallmarks of well appointed homes.  The picture above is of the newly renovated Corbin – Norton house.  Owned by the founder of Norton Utilities (I knew there would be a Silicon Valley connection to this island!) who lives there 10 weeks out of the year. As we walked by, the patio was all set up for a nice outdoor dinner, complete with a teak rectangular table for 10 set with large hurricane lamps and candles.  (Ah, the good life indeed!)

We also did alot of walking through downtown Edgartown, where ocean front homes range from $1.1 million for modest 10,0000 lots to over $4.5 million with a private beach and dock. It is was truly quintessential New England, with the hydrangeas planted in front of every home and white picket fences are the norm.

One of my favorite features of any home is the backyard.  To me, a summer home is only as good as the space it has for entertaining and enjoying the sun.
This morning as we kayaked on the Serngekontacket Pond, I ran across my ultimate backyard.   It had a little bit of private shore with calm waters, plenty of lawn chairs, a deck for hosting dinners and parties on the second floor and a living room/kitchen that had a view of it all – seems perfect!   I started to imagine the fantastic parties I would have with the music wafting through my outdoor speaker system and the mojitos flowing freely.  I was ready to park my kayak and move on in.  Instead, I headed back to the hotel to start the arduous task of packing for home.