Nantucket Friday Favorite Finds V | Nantucket by Design 2017

While Friday has somehow segued to Sunday, this week’s favorite find from here on Nantucket has to be Nantucket by Design 2017. Building on the momentum established with last year’s debut, the collection of week-long events benefitting the Nantucket Historical Association, hit the ground running with the VIP cocktail party I highlighted in the last post.

Next event on the agenda was the Design Luncheon, sponsored by Nantucket Looms and New England Home Magazine, where Robin Standefer of Roman and Williams spoke, highlighting their work, including Greydon House here on island (above and below – we’ll be back to visit in more detail). With a love of history and mission of creating authentic spaces with a nod to vernacular style, their designs were a perfect fit with the wonderful work of the Nantucket Historical Association.

And while there were many fabulous official Nantucket by Design 2017 events, there were a few on the side that unofficially paid tribute to the week.

Ralph Lauren Home collaborated with Hinckley Yachts, cohosting a cruise and dinner with Clinton Smith, editor in chief of Veranda Magazine.

And Clint also cohosted a lunch with the trustees of the new Toile de Jouy International Foundation at the former Bunny Mellon estate.

Representing the American arm of the Musee de la Toile de Jouy in France, the founders are descendants of the toile founder Christophe Philippe Oberkampf. We had the opportunity to see some of board member and textile collector Jill Lasersohn’s impressive collection of antique toiles.

A family rooted in the great French traditions of both textiles and vineyards, even the founders’ family wine label on the delicious Haut-Médoc bordeaux we were served, celebrates the legacy of toile. As a magazine that celebrates historic preservation and the history of design, Veranda, for its 30th anniversary issue coming in September, coincidentally  includes a story on toile – stay tuned!

The next official event, the All-Star Design Panel, held at the Whaling Museum and sponsored by the Boston Design Center, was moderated by the always entertaining and knowledgable Hutton Wilkinson. Featured designers Gary McBournie, Richard Mishaan and Michelle Nussbaumer with Veranda Magazine Interiors Editor Carolyn Englefield, it was a fun and informative discussion, followed by a group of private dinners, each including a panelist.

Throughout the week, there were dinners and cocktails parties at the beautiful homes of NHA supporters,

culminating with the second annual New Party at the Oldest House, chaired by Phoebe Tudor, also the design chair for the entire week.

This year continued the collaboration between NYSID and Nantucket by Design which debuted last year. Again, a group of NYSID students were invited to reimagine two rooms in the Nantucket’s oldest residence – the 1686 Jethro Coffin House. Overseen by NYSID President David Sprouls and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean Ellen Fisher, the program included two undergraduates and two students pursuing their MFA’s in Interior Design.

The living room, designed by MFA students, Britt Barr and James Melone, above and below, was entitled A Place to Create. Celebrating the history of the structure and the continuing tradition of craftsmanship originating with the Coffin family, they incorporated their own work as well as art and furnishings from both island artists and shops as well as generous off island donors such as The Rug Company, whose Zebra Gold rug by Neisha Crosland anchors the space with style.

Undergraduates Ajaee Shepard and Mae McKenna reimagined their room as Bauhaus by the Sea, paying homage to both the influential German art movement and the nautical traditions of Nantucket.

With bold colors and geometric shapes, they brought a fresh modernity to this 17th century house. And recognizing that the space originally represented one room living, they combined living and dining together.

all photos by Stacey Bewkes for Quintessence

Congrats to these students and everyone involved with Nantucket by Design 2017. Even in only its second year, this week has become a beacon for the best of design. I look forward to sharing what the NHA and board members put together for next summer!