Nantucket Read
Posted By Julia-Chicago | Jul 23, 2010 | Category: Books, Color, Decorating, Home Exteriors, Material Girls Projects
{Absalom Boston House…epitome of Nantucket style}
I recently just got back from a trip to Nantucket to put the final touches on the vacation home of a client that I have been working on (from my Chicago office) for quite some time. I have to say…I am in love. So quaint, charming and beautiful, Nantucket really takes your breath away. One gets the sense that not much has changed on this island in generations, taking comfort in the tradition and steadfast dedication to its way of life as a simple retreat. Furthermore, the homes in this intimate community have retained the classic look so associated with the island….shingled structures of muted grays, blues whites and soft neutrals. While I was adding a modern spin on my client’s 1800’s classic charmer, many of the homes still retain that rustic,old world feel that so many of the beach getaways of the East Coast (Martha’s Vineyard, Cape Cod….) are known for. Take a look at some of the images from Lisa McGee’s book, “A Home in Nantucket” and feel the instant comfort and ease of the Nantucket life.
Stay tuned for photos of my spin on the Nantucket home!
- Posted By Julia-Chicago
- 7 Comments
- Category: Books, Color, Decorating, Home Exteriors, Material Girls Projects











































































As my ancestry calls me….I am a Buckingham by birth, and seem to be drawn to all things English with an amazing regularity. I have been told that to design a castle might be my dream job (who would not call that a dream job?!). But without a doubt I can recall early images of my Irish mother announcing that all things “English” were dreamily elegant and ultimately oozed glamour and style. This leads me to West Wycombe Park located in Buckinghamshire, UK….
The house- a sumptuous Palladian Villa- is a part of the National Trust, although it remains firmly in the hands- and is the family home of Sir Edward Dashwood and his family…all 5,000 acres of it. This Blue Drawing Room embraces all things English with examples of statuary, furniture and fine paintings.
The Music Temple- on an island in the lake and reachable only by boat- is another family favourite: “We use it for drinks parties and picnics.” Oh so English sounding…I just had to use their spelling of the word favorite. It DOES sound more elegant, doesn’t it?
Film-makers also find West Wycombe irrestible. ”Little Dorrit”, “Daniel Deronda”, “Cranford” and “The Duchess”- have all been made here. ”Colin Firth and Rupert Everett must have been here many times” says Edward Dashford. With its yellow-stone exteriors and pale blue doors, this is a house without an obvious front or back; although the west portico- the Dashwoods (pictured above in almost their entirety) front door- built by Nicholas Revett in 1771 is stunning, the earlier south-facing double colonnade, by architect John Donowell, is grander. In the summer, the family eats outside under the pillars, overlooked by a row of busts and the prostrate sculpture of a naked woman. I knew that I loved all things English. I am still in the market for designing the spaces within a castle…..

