Nantucket by Design 2018

With a flurry of lectures, parties, and a multitude of events large and small, last week marked the much anticipated Nantucket by Design 2018. In its third year, the Nantucket Historical Association’s major fundraiser celebrated the island’s unique influence on American design with attendees flocking to the Grey Lady from near and far.

Nantucket by Design welcome cocktail partyThe week launched Wednesday evening with a welcome cocktail party, this year sponsored by Northwestern Mutual, along with Centre Pointe and Oomph, at the lovely island home of design chair Phoebe Tudor.

Nantucket by design cocktail party

With the cooperation of lovely weather, we kicked off the week in festive style.

Nantucket porch plants 1

Thursday, a champagne reception and Design Luncheon at the White Elephant welcomed House Beautiful editor-in-chief Sophie Donelson and designer David Kleinberg

David Kleinberg and Sophie Donelson at Nantucket by Designfor a fun and informative Q & A, followed by a book signing. The always ebullient Sophie clearly had no fun at all – despite a grueling all day journey battling the elements to get on island and in borrowed clothes as her luggage never made the convoluted trip.

Sophie Donelson at Nantucket by Design

All these events cannot take place without the generosity of sponsors (2018 overall sponsors House Beautiful and The Salonniere) and the luncheon was thanks to friend Kathleen Hay Designs, Kathleen below with Sophie, along with Nantucket Lightshop, The Tile Room and The Water Closet – the go-to triumvirate of island design resources.

Sophie Donelson and Kathleen Hay

The annual Design Panel, in a new location this year at the White Heron Theatre, included noted design luminaries David Netto, Amanda Lindroth and Nick Voulgaris III in a lively discussion of design life on the water, moderated by Chesie Breen and sponsored by the Boston Design Center.

Nick Voulgaris, Amanda Lindroth, David Netto, Chesie Breen at Nantucket by Design

Friday evening, a series of intimate dinners, each including a design expert, were held at several private Nantucket homes (including my favorite boat house) and NHA properties. Chaired by Bill Richards and Gary McBournie, the All-Star dinners were presented by Magellan Jets with design sponsors Mottahedeh and Thomas Moser. While I unfortunately couldn’t attend, several who did posted lovely shots of their hosts’ tables.

Nantucket all-star dinnerphoto by Lee Ann Thornton
Nantucket all star dinner at boat housephoto by Bill Richards

I have had the privilege of checking out the Magellan jets, which would, I’m sure, make getting on and off this island of unpredictable fog a much more enjoyable and reliable experience.

Magellan Jets at Nantucket by DesignMagellan Jets Saturday morning I was honored to speak with the three owners of Nantucket Looms, at a behind the scenes visit to this iconic island establishment, celebrating their 50 year anniversary.

Nantucket Looms at Nantucket by Design

We’ll hopefully revisit their impressive design legacy before the end of the summer.

Nantucket Looms-1

For the third year, select students from the New York School of Design reimagined rooms in The Oldest House for an updated look at this historic property.

NYSID students at The Oldest House

We’ll take a look at these in more detail soon.

NYSID students 2018 room at The Oldest Houseall photos by Stacey Bewkes for Quintessence unless otherwise noted

The busy week ended with a Night at the Museum, the final bash, at the NHA’s prime property, the Nantucket Whaling Museum. Along with these official events are always a series of ancillary cocktail parties, dinners and gatherings that make for a hectic yet inspiring days of design. What a week this was celebrating the allure this tiny island continues to have on the design world at large!

6 thoughts on “Nantucket by Design 2018

  1. Fantastic post! I am so impressed with the flowers this year. And you can always count on Gary McBournie and Bill Richards to put out an amazing spread.

  2. Dear Stacey,
    Thank you for this lovely recap of an amazing week, and for the shout out. We were so pleased to support the important mission of the NHA. Loved having a chance to see so much of you, too!
    Onward to next year!!
    Warmly,
    Kathleen

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