Last Summer we made our first summer journey to Nantucket. Sconset, to be specific. After years of encouragement from Tessa, we made a last minute plan to escape there at the end of July. We had visited Nantucket in off-seasons, but had never been there in the thick of summer and had never been to the far end of the island, to the remote cottage village of Sconset.
"I tried to convey the feeling of being there through these photos, but really the scent of the roses and the blooming privet, the light, the salty breeze, and the overwhelming feeling of slowing down and being removed from the rest of the world was hard to capture. It was breathtakingly beautiful in both a natural and manicured way. Everything surface was either lushly green, blooming, or weathered wood, stone or shells. The homes feel comfortable and well worn, removed from time and trends in the most lovely manner. We loved it and will return soon."
It was a vacation completely consumed with natural beauty, old fashioned charm, magical sunsets and our own thoughts. We were blissfully unaware of the rest of the world, completely surrounded with the perfume of garden roses, salty air and the company of our family.
This collection encapsulates the essence of what I believe to be that perfect, quintessential summer in that seaside village - classic stripes, navy anchors, nautical accents, and charming blue bicycles.
Our favorite part of our vacation last year was being without a car and riding bikes or setting out on foot everywhere we went. It was so freeing to be on two wheels with the breeze in your hair - to town for coffee, or the market or to the beach with a basket full of snacks. Mike and I even found ourselves taking turns to wake up early to ride our bike around a sleeping town to watch the sunrise. Of course, I don't have many photos of us riding bikes, because it is really hard to take a photo while riding a bike : )
"Every time I see an adult on a bicycle,
I no longer despair for the future of the human race."
H. G. Wells
10 Tags for, $4
Short Tablet, $6
Tall Tablet, $8
Stationery Set, 10, $14
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Of course, behind each charming exterior, I could envision an interior - relaxed, thoughtfully compiled and timeless. I imagine the interiors to be like the exteriors, removed from time and oblivious to trends. No one has time for trends or the newest thing when there are seashells to gather, sunset walks and bikes to ride.
Antiques, for sure. Oatmeal linen that doesn't show wear and never goes out of style. Oil Paintings of ships in gilt frames. Blue and white textiles in small prints and classic ticking stripes.
Real stationery and envelops to write to friends and family that have visited in years past. Collected frames and prints with layers of new and old photos. Roses from the garden.
Rectangle, $38 | Medium 20" Square, $42 | Large 22" Square, $46
100% Wrinkle Free Cotton
10 Tags for, $4
Short Tablet, $6
Tall Tablet, $8
Stationery Set, 10, $14
Shop >
The kitchen is casual, ready for a help yourself brunch for the entire family or a casual pop-in for happy hour cocktails and snacks.
A generous Table Runner (108" x 20") to accommodate large gatherings and protect an antique table.
Big pitches of big, mop-head hydrangeas picked from the garden.
A basket of blueberry muffins ready to deliver to a friend with a birthday greeting.
This year I tried a new watercolor decorating technique. It felt right for seaside sugar cookies with a relaxed and artistic feel. I simply piped white icing on, then after it dried I painted on food color I had diluted with water.
More layers of summers past with photos, paintings, sketches and prints.
Whale Prints ($3-8) paired with French Cream Photo Mats.
The Nantucket Whale Print with antique scrolling telling the tale.
Comfortable and breezy bedrooms with soft white linens, more antiques, baskets of bedside books and brass lanterns.
Large 22" Pillows, here.
The back garden is private, green and lush.
I still haven't found this but and white hydrangea at home, but I'm keeping my eye out so I can add one to my collection.
