Coastal Inspirations from Nantucket

Sconset Lighthouse

This summer my family headed north for cooler temps and New England charm to the historic island of Nantucket.  A favorite getaway of my NYC-based sister and her husband, Nantucket provided our family of six the perfect escape from the oppressive Southern heat at the end of July.

From long bike rides and afternoon sails to perusing the fresh produce at Bartlett's Farm and enjoying a sun downer at The Straight Warf, we spent seven glorious days of R&R in a cottage on the beach in Wauwinet.  With my style compass set for my new home's decor:  Coastal Cottage meets Classic French Country with a touch of Parisian Chic (Emily Henderson of HGTV's style diagnostic would surely peg Jeff as "Coastal Cottage" and me as "French Country"), I found a lot of inspiration while on the island.

Summer Bluff cottage in Sconset

Nantucket is a treasure trove of classic New England coastal style from the antique and furnishings shops downtown to the private homes in my favorite neighborhood of Sconset.  Here are a few pictures from my decorating scrapbook which will surely have you dreaming of a Labor Day vacation--Nantucket style.

I would love a wrap around porch like this someday

I loved this classic cane chair in a white wash--
very Coastal style meets French design

luxurious cashmere throws to bundle up on cool Nantucket nights

what says "coastal" more than a coral based lamp?

I like this tufted "apartment sofa" with coral motif pillows

Jeff and I were both in love with these fish prints created in a style called
gyotaku which is Japanese art of imprinting fish

This is the shape and grommet edging of a headboard I'd
like for our master bed once we upgrade to a king

Fun yellow statement chair for a family room or kids room

The sunset on our last night from Waiwinet, the perfect ending
to a wonderful week on the island

I hope everyone has a great holiday weekend with friends and family.  Savor the last days of summer, I know we will be doing just that.  Bon weekend! 

Raisin' Cane

Decor Pad

A few months ago, I bought a set of French cane chairs on sale at The Kellogg Collection. Here are a few pictures of them (with and without the cotton slipcover that come with them; a really nice addition).  I fell in love with the little leopard print pillows and couldn't resist getting those too.

Authentic cane is a type of wicker that is woven and has been in existence since the 17th century.  It's earliest forms are traced back to Louis XIII of France where the invention of cane backed chairs (or in some instances the seats) still employed intricate carved wooden detailing, but made the furniture much lighter in weight. The chairs could be kept against a wall and pulled up to a table for grand banquet dinners. This is my intention for my new cane chairs which will serve as occasionals against the wall of my dining room and can be pulled up to the table, or moved into the living room, when additional seating is needed.   It's probably no surprise I like the white washed, French country style.

These Annette cane chairs make great occasionals to be pulled up to a dining room table

Cane chairs can be painted any color your heart desires and come in various weaves and shapes.  Ones that are more open in the back provide a lighter, airy balance to a heavy desk or table. A tighter weave is a more formal design, like my French occasional chairs.

Cane settee by Thorton Designs

cane chair with arms for a more relaxed, airy work space
Decor Pad

I love this robin blue desk chair balanced against a heavier desk
(image source unknown)

love the all white cane chairs constrasted against the dark flooring
Elle Decor

white geometric cane chairs lighten a dining room space
Decor Pad

dark cane chairs with a bold yellow upohlstery
Decor Pad

Winging It

Chelsea wing chair
(casadiseno.wordpress.com)

I have never owned a wing chair, but I'm on the hunt for one for our first house.  There is something so elegant and regal about them.  Estate sales are one of the best places to start looking, but if that doesn't yield something I like, I might go true DIY.  I'll find a shape I like at a yard sale or on Craig's list, saving the money on the chair, and put it toward reapohlstering with a fabric of my choosing.  Elle Decor did a great piece on wing chairs in their December 2010 issue.  I'm thinking for my house I'll either do one statement wing chair, with a high back in a bold pattern and sleek shape, or a set of more traditional ones framing the fireplace.  Below are some other wing chairs for inspiration.  I'm hoping that soon enough we will have one (or two) on display in our living room.

I'm really drawn to art deco style black and white motifs;
these are a more modern take on a wing chair with a lower back
(2.bp.blogspot)

pale yellow and leather...i bet it feels like "buttah"
(apartmenttherapy.com)

The grey stone, the turquoise chairs, the pop yellow pillows...so fun
(thefrenchchair.com)

I usually don't like pink, but this set is so French and happy,
I would break my color rule for these
(John Kernick Photo)

a bolder fabric works for a more modern shape
(images.vandm.biz)



classic white wing chair with a zebra rug
(david jiminez and jose picayo photography)