We just returned from a long weekend on Nantucket and, although the weather wasn't picture perfect everyday, were delighted to discover this island's wonderfully refined sense of color. Isolated pops of historic hues invigorate this cobblestone world of weathered cedar shingles...
Cedar shingles are a tried-and-true choice for hard weather regions where salty winter storms threaten; and they only get better looking with age. Nearly every building on Nantucket fits inside the tight spectrum between the warm honey-tone of new cedar and the older, texture-rich blackened shingles — all creating a rich neutral to showcase pops of historic hues like barn red, French blue, and butter yellow.
We're curious to know if there are any material/paint color restrictions on the island — particularly in the historic "downtown" area — because we can't account for the insane level of color consistency any other way. Like a genre movie where the set director as perfectly orchestrated every hue, this island is a postcard from a different century when it comes to color. We're huge fans of historic New England paint colors so this weekend was a pure delight to our senses. More Nantucket inspiration to come!
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Comments (6)
Im from the west coast and am doing a project that is cape cod / nantucket inspred.
We are having issue trying to define that look. Some are looking for the colours and finishes to be of that style (Shingles, whites, greys) while others are looking for that style of architecture (Cape Cod).
Anyone know of any good links to that area's style of architecture?
Thanks in advance
I have family who live in Nantucket (town). There is a very active historical commission that certainly controls almost everything architectural in town. For example, during a renovation they were not allowed to put trellises on their roof for roses, even though that is a common "motif" for Nantucket--but not for town. Houses in town that have roof trellis are grandfathered in, but as I understand it, at least in their area, they were not allowed to add.
This maintains the perfect look of town that visitors are coming to see; and the town seems to live by tourists. Plus the people that live there seem to love the way it looks and have a vested interest in not having it change radically.
This might interest you (the authors). It's a page with the meeting agendas of the Historic District Commission of Nantucket. This should make it clear how every little detail has to be cleared through the town.
http://www.nantucket-ma.gov/Pages/NantucketMA_HistDistAgenda/
Dreamy. I would just like to know where and what colors they have to abide by. I love the blues, yellow and red.
This is what I love about Massachusetts. the cedar shingle's and the classic colors. I love that you get such a sense of history
Nantucket is such a lovely island! There's so much inspiration everwhere in the homes and gardens.