The narrow streets and lanes that radiate out from Nantucket's town center are lined with shingle-clad antique homes, many of which have offered shelter to families, sailors, and summer visitors for more than two hundred years.
North Water Street appears on maps as early as 1799, but all of the original homes on the south end, before Sea Street, were destroyed by the Great Fire of 1846. The houses that were spared by the Great Fire are very old indeed. Nantucket Looms recently worked with a family in one of the oldest homes on the street, a c. 1795 house originally built for Robert Brayton, a whaling captain. The captain's wife, Deborah Hussey Brayton, accompanied him at sea on at least one voyage. Deborah gave birth to the first of the couple's five children in 1796, one year after they moved into their new home.
After the decline of the whaling industry, Nantucket fell into a slumber for a few decades until the island was rediscovered in the 1870s by vacationers in search of healing waters, solitude in nature, and time spent with family. Captain Brayton's house was a guest house for much of its 230-year history.
Today, this North Water Street house is a single-family home again.
These two tramp art frames, from the homeowner’s personal collection, welcome guests in the front entry adding character and whimsy. Tramp art, a tradition of chip carving and layered patterns was developed in the late 19th-century by those leading a transient life.
Old hand-blown glass windows, wide floorboards, interior shutters, chair rails, interior transom windows, staircases, and fireplace paneling were retained throughout much of the house.
Stephanie Hall, Lead Designer and an Owner of Nantucket Looms Interiors, balanced art, antiques, and contemporary furnishings to honor the history of the house as it moves into the future. The antique timbers that have kept this house standing for so long take center stage in many aspects of the design. Plant stands carved from tree roots, wooden chairs, and warm wood tones play off one another in the parlor. In the dining room, a built-in with horn cabinet hardware offers a peak at an exposed beam.
Modern touches add depth and color while respecting the historic integrity of the home, like grass cloth printed wallpaper in the entryway or an unexpected pop of high-gloss paint in vivid colors on bathroom ceilings. The family who lives here now are longtime clients of the Looms, and antiques and artwork from their own collection were incorporated into the design.
The high gloss ceiling adds dimension to this petite powder room and brings a touch of elegance that beautifully complements the shade of blue in the wallpaper.
Benjamin Moore’s Sail Cloth brings warmth and refinement to the paneled walls, offering a subtle contrast to the Schumacher wallpaper—a pattern inspired by American folk art that echoes the home’s handcrafted aesthetic.
The home's massive chimney had to be rebuilt, so the owners took the opportunity to have a brick pizza oven constructed. This is a fun, modern interpretation of the beehive oven found in many of the island's antique homes.
We chose Benjamin Moore’s Oyster for the kitchen cabinets—a soft gray with just a hint of lavender. It’s the perfect balance of cool and cozy, creating a calming backdrop that works beautifully with both modern and classic details.
The home is an oasis of calm on a bustling street. In a bedroom on the second floor, a window seat overlooks the balconies of the beloved Veranda House across the street. Every detail here plays off the other — the scalloped edge of a white bureau, the delicate white petals of a ceiling fixture, and framed print of Queen Anne's Lace, one of Nantucket's beloved wildflowers.
Designed by Amy Tejada, the window seat offers additional storage while providing the perfect perch for reading—and taking in the lovely view of the Veranda House just beyond.
The primary bedroom is an example of how the Looms works holistically with the design team, including architectural designer Benjamin Normand of Benjamin Norman Residential Designs and Dwyer Maloney of Main Street Construction, to enhance the functionality of a home. Here, you'll find a built-in coffee bar and walk-in dressing room. Vintage glass knobs and brass handles create a sense of history in a modern space. The primary bathroom's centerpiece is a large soaking tub under a wooden globe chandelier. Rattan accents and an antique wooden bait trap echo the warm wood tones throughout the home.
The bed is upholstered in a luxurious mohair, finished with classic nailhead trim that adds both texture and warmth. Modern lighting provides a striking contrast to the home’s traditional feel, while embroidered Kravet pillows complete the look with a touch of refined detail.
The full-height attic is one of the most unique spaces in the house. Five built-in bunks run the length of the attic, providing sleeping quarters for junior sailors. Even on the rainiest of Nantucket days, the attic provides a space for children to play or grown-ups seeking a quiet moment to retreat under the eaves.
Rebecca Atwood wallpaper—with a pattern that subtly recalls whale tails—adds a playful, coastal touch. A Lauren Martilla photograph brings in another shade of blue that is echoed throughout the room, tying everything together with a serene, ocean-inspired palette.
The barrel shaped chair was chosen for its organic materials of rattan and bamboo, bringing a bohemian feel this historic home. The signal flag displayed above the chair represents a nod to the island’s nautical surroundings.
The Nantucket Looms' commitment to timeless, evolving coastal style honors this home's rich history and will help the new owners steward the home into its next chapter.
Mary Bergman is a writer and historian living on Nantucket Island. View more of her work on our Warp and Weft Blog and her website.
