Sea and Sky

A VACATION HOME ON NANTUCKET BLENDS

INTO THE HISTORIC COMMUNITY WHILE
CAPTURING VIEWS IN EVERY DIRECTION.
Writer Mindy Pantiel Photographer Michael Partenio Field editor Karin Lidbeck-Brent
BEAUTIFUL HOMES FALL 2008 85
T
The concept of the American summer vacation took hold in
the late 1800s, and Nantucket Islandwith pristine beaches,
wild moors, and endless skybecame a warm-weather
mecca. More than a century later, the same setting that led
early developers to erect rows of beach cottages attracted a
Washington, D.C.-based couple with three children.
The family had been going to Nantucket for years
when they decided to purchase what is arguably the best
point on the island, interior designer Susan Smith says. The
site provides views of the harbor, the dunes, and the his-
toric village. They wanted to build a casual yet elegant
home where they could entertain large groups of family and
friends, Smith says.
The house nestles just far enough into a bluff to present
a low prole, in accordance with strict local building codes,
without sacricing remarkable vistas. The local historic re-
view board required that the house be at least 50 feet from
the edge of the bluff, says architect Graham Goldsmith,
who positioned the structure to align directly with the har-
bors entry channel. My main goal was to design a house
HARBOR VIEW Sited on a rise, the traditionally detailed house,
above, overlooks picturesque Nantucket Harbor. WARM
WELCOME Natural chestnut oors, opposite, enliven the spacious
entry, which includes an open staircase with handcrafted newels.
with as many views as possible from every room.
The exterior brims with features reminiscent of early
island architecture: porches, triple overlapping shingles, and
crisp white columns, railings, and window trim. Even the
paneled entry door and six-over-one windows are indicative
of the locale. Inside, a centrally located switchback staircase
sets a distinctive architectural tone in the entry.
Some stairways are there just to get you to the next
level, but you go up and down them so much I think they
should have good natural daylight and visual interest, says
Goldsmith, who included custom mahogany newels and
nials and white-painted poplar wainscoting in his design.
I like to create ornamentation without getting carried away,
and I look at a stairway as a way to show expression and
celebrate the entry of a home.
86 BEAUTIFUL HOMES FALL 2008
HISTORIC REFERENCES
WITH MORE THAN 20 ISLAND
RESIDENCES TO HIS CREDIT,
GRAHAM GOLDSMITH IS A PRO
AT DESIGN THAT PRESERVES
ARCHITECTURAL INTEGRITY.
What kind of restrictions did you
face building in a historic place
such as Nantucket?
The Historic District Commission
has some basic requirements to
make sure new architecture is in
keeping with the history of the
island. There has to be a sloped
roof; exterior materials are restricted
to shingle; and massing needs to
be kept to a minimum, meaning the
highest ridge has to be 50 feet or
less in length.
What about windows? Are there
any requirements for size or style?
There needs to be a certain
proportion of windows, and they
need to be double-hung and
rectilinear, and make a vertical rather
than a horizontal statement. Large
expanses of glass like those you
might see in a mountain home are
not allowed.
It seems that windows help break
up the massing of the house.
What else did you do to mitigate
the size of the structure?
Things like porches, dormers,
gables, and second-story decks all
deal with the massing issue as well
as adding visual interest.
Q
A
Q
Q
A
A
Graham Goldsmith
Architect
88 BEAUTIFUL HOMES FALL 2008
BEAUTIFUL HOMES SUMMER 2008 89
LIGHT-FILLED Traditional six-over-one double-hung
windows and divided-light French doors, unadorned,
maximize light in the living room. Simple raised paneling
adds decorative interest to the room, sited for ocean views.
CONTRASTING
ELEMENTS
Heighten the impact
of deep-color walls
with white molding
and wainscoting.
NAUTICAL THEME Lantern-style pendant lights reiterate the dining
rooms seacoast mood, opposite. RELAXED RETREAT Window
seats ank the replace in the hearth room, above. CLASSIC PATINA
Vintage brick and chestnut ooring, right, add instant age.
Inspiration for the interior architecture came from a striped
blue rug that now covers much of the living room oor.
This house is all about sky and sand, and I used variations
of those colors in every room, Smith says. She stepped the
scheme up a notch in the formal dining roomthe only dis-
crete living space on the otherwise open main levelwith
deep nautical blue walls. The rich color adds depth and
gives the room a sense of drama, she says.
Plans for a library were abandoned when the home-
owners decided the space they had chosen, adjacent to
the living room, was too nice to isolate. It had a different
perspective and different views, and they wanted to inte-
grate it with the rest of the house, Goldsmith says. Instead,
the hearth room opens to the living room and features
board-and-batten style paneling indicative of casual sum-
mer homes. Matching details trim the mantel and inglenook
window seats.
Paneling perfected
BEAUTIFUL HOMES FALL 2008 91
COOKS DELIGHT The
generous 48-foot island,
topped with granite, above,
was sized to accommodate
refrigerator and freezer drawers.
The gold and beige tones in the
granite complement the custom
chestnut cabinets. GATHERING
PLACE A reproduction
candelabra simulates soft
candlelight in the breakfast
room, opposite, graced by a
window seat, beaded-board
walls and deep crown molding.
Custom chestnut drawers and raised-panel cabinets line the
walls of the open kitchen. On the practical side, the sink,
cooktop, and refrigerator drawers are within steps of each
other; the granite-topped island includes seating for guests
as well as overow food prep space.
With windows on three sides, the kitchen boasts some
of the best views in the house. When you stand at the stove,
you look out at the sound, and the sink window captures
another huge vista, Smith says. We minimized the use of
upper cabinets so nothing would obstruct the view.
Bright white beaded-board walls and French doors to a
screen porch signal the adjacent breakfast rooms informal,
indoor-outdoor aspect. An extra-long banquette topped with
a beige cushion and piled high with accent pillows covered
in soft blues and greens provides extra seating at mealtime
or a welcoming place to curl up with a book. This family
loves to read, so wherever we could build a seat under a
window, we did it, Smith says.
Personalized design
92 BEAUTIFUL HOMES SUMMER 2008 92 BEAUTIFUL HOMES FALL 2008
94 BEAUTIFUL HOMES SUMMER 2008
ANGULAR
SENSATION
Use dormers to
create architectural
accentsand
headroomin an
upstairs bedroom.
The master bedroom provides escape with a vaulted ceiling
for a tucked-under-the-eaves experience. Positioned over
the living room, it has a copycat view of the dramatic throat
of the harbor. The suite includes a private balcony, ample
windows, and a reproduction vintage-style French door to
capture light and summer sunshine.
Indeed, every room of the house, including the bath-
rooms, benets from at least one window, Goldsmith says.
Having windows in a bathroom makes it more of a room,
he says. You can see what kind of a day it is and hear the
wind blow and the birds chirp.
But glimpses of sky and water are just one of the master
baths many luxuries. A deep antique-style soaking tub with
nickel-plated tub-ller hardware provides a relaxing spot,
and creamy white Nantucket marble tops the Shaker-style
vanity to pleasing effect.
Architect Graham Goldsmith Interior designer Susan Smith
Builder Mike Haigley
RESOURCES ON PAGE 112
Private retreat
COZY QUIET A French door opens the master bedroom, left,
to views and breezes from a private balcony. CREAMY LAYERS
The basket-weave pattern of stone and marble oors, above,
complements the subtle hue of marble counters. The architect
translated cottage-style millwork into a luxurious bath.
BEAUTIFUL HOMES FALL 2008 95
To see ideas for master bedrooms, visit us
at RemodelingCenter.com/bh
BEAUTIFUL HOMES FALL 2008 97
LDRY
BALC
CLOSET
BATH
OPEN TO
ENTRY
BALCONY
MASTER
BEDROOM/
SITTING
22x21
STUDY
16x14
HALL BEDROOM/
SITTING
13x23
W
D
CLOS
DECK
BEDROOM
12x18
MUDRM
FAMILY
19x18
OFFICE
15x15
ENTRY
LIVING
22x30
PORCH
PORCH
DINING
19x16
PORCH
PANTRY
BREAKFAST
22x11
SITTING
22x15
KIT
13x18
R
SCREEN
PORCH
WORK
ROOM
15x15
LOWER
ENTRY
GAME ROOM
40x17
MEDIA
ROOM
21x12
HALL
PWDR
HALL
STORAGE
9x12
MECH
10x12
SITTING
12x10
BEDROOM
17x20
BEDROOM
13x16
BATH
Easy living
Careful space planning opens the living and dining areas,
provides access to the outdoors, and maximizes bedroom
suites in this vacation home. Family bedrooms are on the
upper level, with guest rooms at ground level.
Relaxed dining
The breakfast area, with
a bay window, opens to
the screen porch.
Private time
Guests share a compact
bath and sitting area with
access to the media room.
MAIN LEVEL
3,149 sq. ft.
UPPER LEVEL
2,820 sq. ft.
Work space
The ofce is tucked
into a quiet corner
away from family
activities.
GROUND LEVEL
3,149 sq. ft.
Balcony view
This fresh-air space is
perfect for soaking up
sun and breezes.