• Old Nantucket House This landmark house on Nantucket, built in 1838 by a well known local whaling merchant, Joseph Starbuck, is one of a group of important Federal Greek Revival houses located on Main Street. The house now belongs to collectors of American art and antiques and their young family.

    This landmark house on Nantucket, built in 1838 by a well known local whaling merchant, Joseph Starbuck, is one of a group of important Federal Greek Revival houses located on Main Street. The house now belongs to collectors of American art and antiques and their young family.

  • Old Nantucket House The walls of the entry hall are decorated with a hand painted Chinese wallpaper by DeGornay. The paper alludes to Nantucket's role in 19th century maritime trading, a period when Chinese objects designed for export were of great popularity.

    The walls of the entry hall are decorated with a hand painted Chinese wallpaper by DeGornay. The paper alludes to Nantucket's role in 19th century maritime trading, a period when Chinese objects designed for export were of great popularity.

  • Old Nantucket House Objects in the hall reflect the clients' many passions, including their deep interest in history and collecting American and English antiques.

    Objects in the hall reflect the clients' many passions, including their deep interest in history and collecting American and English antiques.

  • Old Nantucket House Our clients were committed to adapting their lifestyle to the historic architecture of the house rather than altering it to fit contemporary taste. Much of the original plan was preserved, including the four interconnected parlors on the ground level.

    Our clients were committed to adapting their lifestyle to the historic architecture of the house rather than altering it to fit contemporary taste. Much of the original plan was preserved, including the four interconnected parlors on the ground level.

  • Old Nantucket House The front parlor is the most formal area of the house. The painting by Jane Peterson shows a New England landscape. The ceramics are part of the clients' collection of Wedgwood and Whieldon ware.

    The front parlor is the most formal area of the house. The painting by Jane Peterson shows a New England landscape. The ceramics are part of the clients' collection of Wedgwood and Whieldon ware.

  • Old Nantucket House The adjoining back parlor, decorated with floral print curtains and a more muted palette, is less formal.

    The adjoining back parlor, decorated with floral print curtains and a more muted palette, is less formal.

  • Old Nantucket House The dining room adjoins the front parlor through a pair of pocket doors, an antique architectural feature that furthers the multipurpose nature of these rooms.

    The dining room adjoins the front parlor through a pair of pocket doors, an antique architectural feature that furthers the multipurpose nature of these rooms.

  • Old Nantucket House The dining room windows are hung with sheer white linen swags, an 18th century style that has since remained popular. The turquoise walls look particularly handsome in candlelight.

    The dining room windows are hung with sheer white linen swags, an 18th century style that has since remained popular. The turquoise walls look particularly handsome in candlelight.

  • Old Nantucket House Simply detailed cabinets and the use of a single color throughout unifies the old and new elements of this classic kitchen.

    Simply detailed cabinets and the use of a single color throughout unifies the old and new elements of this classic kitchen.

  • Old Nantucket House The breakfast room off of the kitchen and sitting area features match stick blinds, a set of green Windsor chairs and a rustic table.

    The breakfast room off of the kitchen and sitting area features match stick blinds, a set of green Windsor chairs and a rustic table.

  • Old Nantucket House In the master bedroom another Chinese wallpaper pattern and Canton matting on the floor make more subtle connections to the house's maritime past.

    In the master bedroom another Chinese wallpaper pattern and Canton matting on the floor make more subtle connections to the house's maritime past.

  • Old Nantucket House This guest bedroom has a tone on tone yellow wallpaper and classic white linen curtains. These create a restrained background for the painted turned post bed dressed with an antique quilt.

    This guest bedroom has a tone on tone yellow wallpaper and classic white linen curtains. These create a restrained background for the painted turned post bed dressed with an antique quilt.

  • Old Nantucket House A playroom on the attic level off of the children's rooms is intended as an inviting, casual environment for the younger set to gather. It features painted floors and exposed beams.

    A playroom on the attic level off of the children's rooms is intended as an inviting, casual environment for the younger set to gather. It features painted floors and exposed beams.

  • Old Nantucket House The children's rooms fit into the dormers at the top of the house. These rooms are decorated with antique iron beds, quilts, hooked rugs and needlepoint pillows.

    The children's rooms fit into the dormers at the top of the house. These rooms are decorated with antique iron beds, quilts, hooked rugs and needlepoint pillows.