Photography: Annie Schlechter / Styling: Robert Rufino
We’ve seen a distinct shift away from safe whites, stripes and blues lately, with a tidal wave of colour and pattern flooding homes and filling spaces where Hamptons-style design once reigned supreme. Some of this evolution can be traced to the maritime town of Nantucket in the United States, where designers such as Meg Braff, author of the soon-to-be-released book Gracious Interiors, bring fresh perspectives to classic coastal homes. Think grey shingle facades and New England architectural bones.
For this Nantucket home, Meg Braff Designs worked with Gerard Beekman of Madison Worth Architecture to unite two waterfront townhouses, creating one joyful abode with harbour views. Cheery yellows, blues and greens burst forth, offset by marine-finish materials and playful accent prints. Here, we explore how to embrace this spirited coastal sensibility.
Nantucket-style dining room in yellow tones
The yellow in the breakfast room was actually the client’s idea. “We had all decided on another scheme,” explains Meg. “Then one day she sent me a photo of a vibrant yellow jacket she’d seen on a friend and asked us to regroup on the walls. It changed the personality of the room and was a great success.”
Luckily, everything else they’d ordered worked perfectly with the punchy brushed-plaster walls by LaPolla Designs. White window treatments and a Chaddock breakfast table soften the intensity, while blue Pierre Frey basketweave banquette upholstery is a pretty counterpoint. A ‘Montferrat’ leaf chandelier and ‘Carrick’ leaf wall lights, both in Chalk White from Vaughan, are favourite details for Meg, feeling “a bit organic and modern, while also classic”. Custom wicker chairs feature cushions in Mariaflora fabric, via Jerry Pair.
Clockwise from top left: ‘Summer Plaid’ throw in Wineglass Bay Blue, $349/210cm x 130cm, Waverley Mills. Julie Neill ‘Alberto’ chandelier in Plaster White, $4990/large, The Montauk Lighting Co. ‘Soleil d’Hermès’ dinner plate, $370, Hermès. ‘Sweetheart’ silicone goblets in Butter Bloom, $54.95/set of 2, The Iconic. Grasscloth wallpaper in Golden Honey, $153/m, Milton & King. ‘Tangier’ cushion in Denim, $160/55cm x 35cm, Walter G. ‘Aerin’ bread basket, $90, Williams Sonoma. ‘Laguna’ dining chair in Natural, $725, Coco Republic. ‘Soleil d’Hermès’ breakfast cup and saucer, $605, Hermès. ‘Amira’ cushion in Ciel Blue, $99.95/50cm x 50cm, Country Road.
Nantucket-style bedroom in apple green tones
The bobbin-style furniture set the tone in this guest room. “The bed was purchased with the house,” says Meg, who happily found a bench online, which was a harmonious match. A woven rattan mirror from Meg Braff Designs echoes the tones of the wicker chair from Elizabeth Pash antique boutique in New York. “The brown tones are rather soft and quiet, allowing the wall covering to be the defining statement of the room,” says Meg. The wallpaper, along with the bed skirt and bench cushion fabric, are ‘Vienna Woods’ in White on Apple Green, from Meg’s shop.
Clockwise from top left: European Tailored pillowcase in Grosgrain Olive, $64/65cm x 65cm, L&M Home. ‘Balmoral’ straw hat, $170, Akubra. ‘Minette’ Australian wool throw in Acacia, $249/180cm x 130cm, Country Road. ‘Cora’ round rattan mirror, $249, Temple & Webster. ‘Bobbi’ rattan table lamp, $99.95, Temple & Webster. ‘Sonata’ armchair in Natural, $1299, Freedom. ‘Tropical Lumber Accent’ bench chair in Walnut, $835.95, Oz Home Hub. ‘Vienna Woods’ wallpaper in White on Apple Green, $298*/4.5m, Meg Braff Designs. ‘Chowk’ cushion in Sahara, $160/55cm x 35cm, Walter G.
Nantucket-style alfresco dining setting in blue and white
With water views like these, it’s only natural to lean into an alfresco design that makes the most of them. “One of the great features of the house is a large deck that runs the length of it,” says Meg. “We maxed out the seating with two lounging areas shaded by awnings and two dining areas at either end.” Fringed umbrellas from Business & Pleasure Co shade the Summer Classics table, paired with ‘Elisabeth’ chairs from Sika Design. “The chairs are made to look like bamboo, but are actually lightweight outdoor-quality aluminium,” says Meg. Lush greenery and florals frame the outlook, with landscape design by Fernando Wong Outdoor Living Design.
Clockwise from top left: Sabre Paris bamboo cutlery, $235/5-piece set, Emporean. ‘Olivia’ rattan vase, $120/tall, Luxe & Beau. ‘Market’ umbrella in Antique White, $999, Business & Pleasure. Rattan wrapped tealight votives, $3.85 each, Pick ’n’ Mix. Bloomingville ‘Linora’ plate in Blue, $141/set of 3, Smallable. Spiegelau lifestyle carafe, $140, David Jones. Zafferano ‘Perle’ tumbler in Aquamarine (left), $158/set of 4, and Clear (right), $158/set of 4, Casa e Cucina. Ruqmuis chair cushions in Light Blue, $122/set of 4, Amazon. ‘Delphi’ chair in Mocha Weave, $165, Cafe Ideas. Los Encajeros ‘Escamas’ linen napkins, $435/set of 4, Abask.
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