Nantucket Looms
The Art of Living with Art
Supporting local artists has been central to Nantucket Looms since its founding in 1968. Established by Bill Euler and Andy Oates, and carried forward by Liz Winship and current owners Stephanie Hall, Rebecca Peraner, and Bess Clarke, this commitment continues to shape both the philosophy and aesthetic of the business.
For Stephanie, that tradition extends well beyond the shop. Over the past three decades, she has developed a personal collection that fills her home, both on the walls and in reserve, ready to be reconsidered as her spaces evolve. Her sensibility was formed early, shaped by daily exposure to the work at Nantucket Looms and by her time living in Bill and Andy's Bear Street home, where their layered collections left a lasting impression. She purchased her first piece at 25 - a small oil painting by Kevin Paulsen that marked the beginning of what would become a deep passion for collecting.
As her eye developed, so too did the way those around her contributed to that passion. Friends and colleagues began to mark her personal milestones with works of art. Liz, in particular, nurtures this custom, observing Stephanie's preferences during their travels and selecting pieces with an informed understanding of her taste.
"Liz is always good at that. Instead of buying me a sweater, she will give me a piece of art, which is so meaningful."
Among these gifts is a Kenneth Layman painting, given to Stephanie and her husband, Kevin for their wedding; a woven sea-life vignette by Rebecca Peraner was given for her 30th birthday, featuring 31 starfish, one for each year and one for good luck; The Three Amigos by Anita Bierings was given to celebrate the birth of their daughter, Morgan and meant to represent their family.
These bestowals and more are a way for Stephanie's loved ones to ring in the special moments in her life. "My collection gives you a history of moments in time, like The Three Amigos by Anita Bierings. It means so much to me, but it also represents a moment in time for me and my family. Each piece is significant. It's a reflection of different points in my life." She shares this sentiment often with her daughter, Morgan, who is a burgeoning collector herself, and who has been the fortunate recipient of her mother's tokens of affection throughout her life.
Other works carry their own provenance. A painting by Leigh Palmer, once part of Bill and Andy's Bear Street home, was given to Stephanie by Andy as a gesture of thanks. It remains a touchstone, recalling a formative period in which she "gained an appreciation for being surrounded by beautiful things and the importance of home aesthetics."
This sensibility extends to how she evaluates a work. Some of her most valued pieces are unsigned or of unknown origin, including a black-and-white modern abstract discovered at an antique show, where form and balance take precedence over attribution. A similar appreciation drew her to the work of contemporary photographer Jefferson Hayman, whose muted compositions and carefully selected frames, which are integral to each piece, reflect a holistic approach that resonates with her own. She has continued to build a thoughtful collection of his work over time.
"You don't have to buy expensive artwork. It's not about how much it costs, if you get a feeling from it. It's about the tone it sets for the house."
The result is a home that feels cultivated and deeply personal. Stephanie frequently rehangs and rethinks her collection, letting it take on a new perspective depending on where it is displayed.
"I move my artwork around on occasion. I love that pieces can always be reimagined depending on where they are placed. I never buy something for a specific space, and I don't think of my collection as having one style - every piece is different and brings its own character."
Her approach to collecting extends beyond the walls. Throughout her home, surfaces are composed with equal care - arrangements of objects gathered over time that reflect her evolving perspective as a buyer, designer, and creative. These groupings bring dimension and meaning to the spaces they inhabit, like the one exhibited on her entry table: starfish found in the bottom of a bushel basket upon Morgan's return from scalloping with her grandfather, and whimsically painted rocks gifted by her longtime mentee, Thayer Hale.
Early European ironware and antique advertising pots sit alongside a selection of watercolors by Jean Jusko (above), talented mother to Stephanie's business partner and close friend of over 30 years, Rebecca Peraner. Shelving is layered with additional finds, set against a backdrop of books on design, art, and architecture that inform her practice. Basketry, small horn and stone sculptures from Africa and Asia, and elements of primitive Americana, like the miniature woven chair and blanket chest above the carefully dressed bookshelves, add texture and depth (below).
Stephanie encourages others to begin collecting in a way that feels natural to them. Her advice is simple: acquire one piece each year, when possible. Over time, these works become markers of experience, forming a collection that is not only cohesive, but enduring.
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