Pommett Terry - Nantucket cottages and gardens : charming spaces on the faraway isle

Copyright 2015 by Leslie Linsley
Photographs copyright 2015 by Terry Pommett

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available on file.

Cover design by Jane Sheppard
Cover photo credit Terry Pommett

Print ISBN: 978-1-63220-701-2
Ebook ISBN: 978-1-63450-002-9

Printed in China

Acknowledgments

Three years ago, Terry and I started a series of magazine articles for Nantucket Today about small houses. The idea was sparked by the awareness of a big-house building trend and we thought it was important to show how the small cottages, many built in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, contribute to the charm of the island. It was our intent to find a variety of houses in different parts of the island to represent the various architectural styles on Nantucket, as well as those houses with the most creative interior designs. Early into the project, we knew we had to include newly built small houses designed for modern living that fit into the landscape of the island. Visitors to Nantucket always comment on the beautiful gardens and window boxes found everywhere, even in the smallest in-town spaces. Islanders have always been passionate about their gardens, viewing them as a necessity to the quality of their lifestyles. However, one of our biggest problems was scheduling the photography during the peak summer growing time, which extended this project over several seasons.

A style book always involves many talented people without whom a project like this cannot be successful. I am most grateful to the homeowners who let us into their homes, sometimes just before or after an unexpected onslaught of guests, as often happens in the summer on Nantucket. They gave freely of their time and graciously let us move things around and disrupt their daily lives to show off their homes in the best possible light. All who contributed to making this an exciting project demonstrate how to make a small home unique and interesting by embracing its size. I am fortunate to live in a community of generous friends and neighbors who never hesitate when asked to open their homes to me: Mellie and Jim Cooper were the best neighbors for many years, affording me a front row seat during the exquisite restoration of their 1800s house. I have the highest regard for Mellies taste and, when she recommends a photo-worthy home for a book or magazine project, she is always spot-on. My other neighbors, Jean Doyen de Montaillou and his life partner, Michael Kovner, are the most generous homeowners, going the extra mile to style their home and help make a photo shoot a memorable experience. This is their second home to be included in one of my books. Around the corner, Ginny Kinneys talented craftsmanship is a testament to her creative lifestyle. I appreciate Ed and Joan Lahey, who, fortunately for me, sold their large home after we included it in our book, Nantucket Island Living, and then downsized to a cottage they restored in time to include in this book. Their respectful restoration is admirable. Interior designer Margo Montgomery introduced me to Susan Sandler, whose kitchen she designed, and interior designer Kathleen Hay, who always goes out of her way to point me in the right direction. Designer Trudy Dujardin, along with her colleague Price Connor, and writer Lisa Clair, have provided me with consummate Nantucket style homes to photograph for many years.

Reggie Levine, Lyn Walsh, Peter Greenhalgh, Stacey Stuart, Donn Russell, and Greg and Judy Hill are part of the Nantucket art scene. Their homes are a testament to their devotion to keeping history alive by surrounding themselves with family heirlooms and supporting local artists. Thank you to Jeremy and Patricia David, Ann and Van Smith, the Rose family, Deborah Hohlt, and Mary Beth and Barnard Barrett, who opened their homes to us and let us do our thing even when it meant rearranging furniture. Thanks go to contractor Jay Hanley for his thoughtful advice and tips on building your own small home. His shipshape bachelor pad is a wonderful example of function and good design.

There were more gardens than we could possibly include, but we are especially grateful to have captured the exceptional gardens of Ian and Carolyn McKenzie, Prentice and Patricia Claflin, and to introduce the unusual concept of a rill through Connie Umbergers in-town garden.

Sconset is a world apart from downtown Nantucket, and being in the village for several days shooting the earliest cottages and gardens on the island was beyond magical. We owe a huge bouquet of garden roses to Michael May and Housley Carr; Mary Williams, an incredibly talented and respectful restorer of early cottages; Deb and Angus McCloed, who helped us in so many ways including plying us with the best egg salad sandwiches during a long shoot; and Ed Daisey and Ginny Hill Daisey, whose home I originally included in my book, Nantucket Style, in 1992. Ginnys devotion to the details of reinventing the perfect cottage garden is unparalleled and it was such fun to revisit this home and find it as welcoming filled with grandchildren as it was when their parents were the children. Now, as then, they were in and out of the house throughout the entire photo shoot.

Thank you Pete Smith and Hillary Newell from Bartletts Oceanview Farm and Greg Beni of Surfing Hydrangea Nursery for tips on growing hydrangeas and to Carole Fauth for the perfect cottage in Key West where I did my final editing away from the hustle and bustle of Nantucket in August.

The experience of editing the book was positively joyful due to my editor, Nicole Frail, as well as my respect for Skyhorse Publishings designers, who worked with my graphic designer husband, Jon Aron, on the design of the book. My agent of many years, Linda Konner, always works tirelessly on my behalf and without her this project would not have been possible. I owe her my greatest respect.

Finally, I want to thank Marianne Stanton, publisher of the Nantucket Inquirer & Mirror and Nantucket Today magazine for the opportunity to be part of a contributing team of talented professionals for more than thirty years. I am passionate about Nantucket Island and our community and cant think of a better way to earn a living than writing about it.

Leslie Linsley

If youre inspired to make your own Nantucket cottage style projects as seen throughout the book, go to my website for patterns: leslielinsley.com.