Nestled on the shores of Nantucket Island stands a maritime treasure from 1851 that blends historical charm with modern design sensibilities.
This seaside home has weathered nearly two centuries of coastal living while evolving into a showcase of thoughtful restoration and designer touches. Let’s explore the stunning spaces where New England heritage meets contemporary coastal elegance.
1. Historic 1851 Construction
Standing resilient since the whaling era, this Nantucket gem wears its age like a badge of honor. The weathered cedar shingles have silvered beautifully with time, creating that unmistakable patina only decades of salt air can produce.
Original post-and-beam construction reveals craftsmanship from a bygone era when homes were built to withstand generations of nor’easters and family gatherings alike.
2. Dutch Front Door
What a welcome! The split Dutch door greets visitors with its bright white hue, standing out against the home’s weathered exterior like a precious piece.
Practical yet charming, the top half opens independently to capture ocean breezes while keeping sandy feet at bay. Antique brass hardware adds an authentic finishing touch to this quintessential coastal entry statement.
3. Wide-Plank Pine Flooring
Beneath your feet lies two centuries of island stories, told through honey-colored pine planks that span impressively wide—a luxury of old-growth timber no longer available today. Each board bears unique character marks: knots, nail holes, and gentle undulations from generations of footsteps.
Rather than hiding these imperfections, the designer has highlighted them with a subtle satin finish that preserves every historical detail.
4. Vaulted Living Room with Exposed Beams
Soaring overhead, hand-hewn beams create a cathedral-like atmosphere in what was once a modest fisherman’s parlor. The designer brilliantly whitewashed these structural elements rather than concealing them, preserving their rugged texture while brightening the space.
Morning light streams through east-facing windows, dancing across neutral furnishings that don’t compete with the architectural drama above. This room breathes with historical significance yet feels thoroughly modern.
5. Chef’s Kitchen That Marries Old & New
Around the massive butcher block island, history and innovation shake hands. Vintage-inspired brass pendants illuminate state-of-the-art appliances discreetly integrated behind custom cabinetry painted the color of morning fog.
Open shelving displays both functional kitchenware and maritime treasures—a captain’s cup here, an antique scale there. The farmhouse sink, deep enough to bathe a small child, offers panoramic views of the garden beyond.
6. Sunny Breakfast Nook
Mornings feel magical in this east-facing corner where sunlight pools across a built-in banquette upholstered in crisp linen. A weathered oak table bears coffee rings and watercolor marks—evidence of leisurely weekend brunches and impromptu art sessions.
Above hangs a simple rope pendant, nodding to Nantucket’s seafaring roots without being kitschy. This intimate spot manages to feel both snug and expansive, with windows framing garden views on two sides.
7. Layered Coastal Textiles
Forget predictable nautical stripes! Instead, the designer has orchestrated a sophisticated textile symphony throughout the home. Handwoven jute rugs anchor spaces while vintage kilims add unexpected color bursts.
Linen slipcovers in shades of oyster and driftwood drape relaxed furniture, inviting sandy feet and afternoon naps. Cashmere throws and mohair pillows introduce irresistible texture, their muted palette drawn directly from the landscape visible through each window.
8. Open Shelving with Personality
Who needs cabinets when shelves tell better stories? Reclaimed boat wood planks float against shiplap walls, displaying collections that blur the line between functional and decorative.
Hand-thrown pottery mingles with antique glass fishing floats. Copper cookware develops patina alongside vintage Nantucket baskets. Nothing matches perfectly, yet everything harmonizes in that impossible-to-fake way that speaks of objects collected over decades rather than purchased for a design scheme.
9. Relaxed Primary Suite
Tucked beneath the eaves, the primary bedroom embodies restrained luxury without an ounce of pretension. A cloud-like bed dressed in rumpled Belgian linen faces floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the ever-changing seascape.
Beside vintage nightstands, wall-mounted brass reading lamps eliminate clutter. The ensuite bathroom continues the airy aesthetic with a freestanding soaking tub positioned to catch sunset views—the ultimate indulgence after a day of beachcombing.
10. Charming Guest Quarters
Visiting friends might never leave these whimsical rooms, each with its own distinct personality yet unified by the home’s serene palette. One features playful botanical wallpaper; another showcases a collection of antique maritime maps.
Twin iron beds in the third guest room evoke nostalgic summer camp vibes, elevated by luxurious linens and handmade quilts. Small but thoughtful touches—water carafes, local guidebooks, and beach towels rolled in baskets—make guests feel thoroughly considered.
11. Bathrooms That Blend Vintage & Sleek
Gleaming white subway tile meets centuries-old floorboards in bathrooms that respect history while embracing modern comfort. Original clawfoot tubs have been lovingly restored and repositioned beneath windows for garden-view soaking.
Unlacquered brass fixtures will patina beautifully over time, their warm glow contrasting with cool marble countertops. Clever storage solutions—a reclaimed ladder for towels, antique apothecary cabinets for toiletries—add character while keeping essentials within easy reach.
12. Deck & Outdoor Dining
Summer evenings unfold on the weathered cedar deck that seems to float between house and garden. A massive farm table, crafted from reclaimed boat wood, stands ready for seafood feasts under string lights that sway gently in the salt breeze.
Mismatched chairs collected over years surround it, each with a story to tell. Nearby, a vintage zinc tub filled with ice awaits champagne bottles—a hint that gatherings here tend to stretch long into star-filled nights.
13. Landscaped Courtyard
Hidden from street view, this intimate courtyard feels like discovering a secret garden. Native hydrangeas in varying shades of blue and purple bloom abundantly against weathered cedar fencing, while hardy rosa rugosa contributes both fragrance and beach-rose hips for fall decoration.
Crushed shell pathways crunch pleasingly underfoot, leading to a simple firepit surrounded by Adirondack chairs. Even in this protected space, plantings respect the harsh coastal environment—nothing fussy that couldn’t withstand salt spray.
14. Curated Coastal Palette
Colors throughout the home whisper rather than shout, drawn directly from the island landscape. Walls washed in the palest gray-blue evoke misty mornings, while linen upholstery recalls windswept dunes.
Occasional pops of deeper blue—the exact shade of Nantucket harbor at midday—appear in pillows and artwork. Natural materials provide texture: jute, driftwood, weathered leather, and sea-polished stones. The effect is soothing yet never boring, like the ocean itself.
15. Living Rooms That Feel Loved
Unlike sterile showplaces, these living spaces bear beautiful evidence of actual living. Dog-eared books fill shelves, alongside found beach treasures and family photographs in mismatched frames.