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Can’t stop watching (and rewatching) The Five Star Weekend on Peacock? Neither can we. While we can’t simply pack up and relocate to Nantucket à la Jennifer Garner’s character Hollis Shaw, we’re all for taking a few cues from her home to more fully embrace the coastal look this season. Better yet, it turns out that emulating Nantucket’s signature design style doesn’t have to break the bank. Below, design experts share their top tips for what to look for while going thrift and vintage shopping to achieve that laid-back, nautical-inspired aesthetic.
Woven Seating
Nantucket homes often have a lived-in, collected feel, and one of the best ways to emulate this look is to opt for furniture made from woven materials. Catherine Shuman, the founder of The Intentional Design Studio, recommends incorporating vintage wicker, rattan, and rush seating. Even just one of these pieces can work wonders to add a bit of Nantucket charm into a room. Gaelle Dudley, the founder of GLDESIGN, agrees. “My favorite way to infuse a vintage touch into a coastal space is incorporating an accent chair that tells a story in a family room.”
Natural Accessories
Decor and trinkets are an essential layer in every home, and Catherine is a strong proponent of shopping secondhand for woven baskets, ceramic lamps, and ironstone objects. You can’t go wrong with signature touches reminiscent of the island, such as Nantucket baskets, which are a hot commodity at thrift stores, and vases filled with fresh hydrangeas, which burst forth all over the island throughout the summer months.
That said, remember that a streamlined look is best. “My favorite styling tip for a Nantucket home is minimalism,” says Ann Kittredge, the founder of Dabbling & Decorating. “Less is more. A home filled with a few favorite heirlooms will keep it humble and personal, making a statement every time.”
Case Goods with Patina
Catherine also recommends incorporating painted chests, old wooden benches, and antique pine tables to nail Nantucket’s quintessential style. And note that a bit of DIY can go a long way to achieve your ACK-inspired vision at home, too. Jane Atherton, the founder of Cottage Fever Interior Design, sourced an antique buffet that she then sanded and painted white to give it a more seaside-inspired patina. She even swapped out the original hardware in favor of sailor knot–style pulls to complete the look.
Tactile Touches
“I believe that texture is almost more important than color in a Nantucket-inspired room,” Catherine says. Natural furnishings often bring wonderful texture into a room, but you can add even further textural intrigue through textiles and decorative smalls, too. Examples that Catherine cites include rumpled linen, woven fibers, aged metal, and handmade ceramics. “I tend to shop with my hands right along with my eyes—I touch absolutely everything,” she says.
Subtle Nautical Nods
It’s only natural to want to embrace a seafaring look in a home inspired by Nantucket style, but the key here is not to go too literal. Rather, take a cue from Catherine, who recommends looking for pieces such as vintage quilts, brass candlesticks, landscape paintings, seascapes, and old maps as you thrift or antique shop.
One or two of these types of pieces will suffice. “Try to avoid filling the room with anchors, shells, signs, and matching blue-and-white accessories,” she notes. “One vintage maritime painting or framed map can be a beautiful addition, but an entire room of literal nautical references can quickly feel more like a themed rental than a home with history.”
