When the current homeowners bought their Nantucket home, “The Sheiling” built in 1880, it was in desperate need of top-to-bottom TLC with a nonexistent foundation and a roof that was sagging and sloping. Architect Lyman Perry worked with contractor Ron Winters to lift the house on stilts, pour a concrete foundation, and build a basement. Once the structure was back on solid ground, they added about 15 feet to the rear of the house by extending the stem of the original T-shaped plan, lengthening the existing gambrel roof so effortlessly that it’s impossible to tell where old ends and new begins. A new guesthouse was built on the adjoining lot, set back to preserve the ample lawns and gardens of the original property, and to make room for a freshwater pool. (source)
The homeowner always imagined that it was a sea captain’s house, and interior designer Debra Blair worked with the architect to add the kinds of architectural details that would befit a prominent sea captain—crown moldings, wainscoting, built-in shelves, wood paneling, detailed antique fireplace mantels. Much of the design was driven by the owner’s collections and antiques, including blue and white Chinese porcelain, tea caddies, Nantucket lightship baskets, and sailor’s woolies. This beautiful home is now for sale! From the real estate listing:
Located just a short distance from the center of Sconset’s Main Street,”The Sheiling” is aptly named for this exquisite Ocean Avenue estate as it is a true shelter and oasis from all the hustle and bustle of everyday life. This elegant home with three full floors of living space and many custom details throughout offers expansive and panoramic ocean views from almost every room! The property is surrounded by mature landscaping with beautiful gardens. Also included are private beach stairs, a two car garage with a studio above, a “bunk house”, as well as a welcoming custom gunite pool for the warmer days of summer. There are several outdoor living spaces which include inviting covered porches which are perfect for an afternoon rest or morning coffee, as well as a privet hedged garden with a fire pit and water feature which is ideal for a cool summer evening. The interior and exterior of this lovely home offer wonderful entertaining spaces for small intimate dinners as well as large family gatherings. This is a great opportunity to purchase one of Nantucket’s most coveted oceanfront properties!
Let’s take a tour!
For additional information on this beautiful home for sale, and to see many more pictures, please visit the real estate listing. You can learn more about the renovation here with article pictures here. And below are a few of my ideas to recreate the look at home!

Wow. Wow. Wow.
I’m so jealous of these owners and at the same time so sad for them to be parting with it!
I can’t imagine doing all they’ve done with this house and then selling it. Houses such as this should be passed down through generations of children.
The house and setting are wonderful! But the designer just could’t help herself and just had to add decorating cliches with the coffered ceilings and all those pot lights. And of course, it’s all too perfect for a real family summer house – there should be more slipcovers and bits and pieces of things that are not quite so fine, mixed in with the fine – things that show a real family lives there and loves it. Perhaps that’s why it’s for sale – jut not enough love for it.
Agreed! Blue and white chinoiserie overload!
Sigh! Such a wonderful home. I would love to live or be a guest there. I always love color and this home does not disappoint. Also love porcelain and appreciated the liberal use of it. A great post! Thank you!
What a lovely home! I love over the top collecting and they certainly have the room for it. All the color, mix of patterns and textures just wonderful. Again as usual my only regret with this home is not enough Needlepoint, guess you really can’t have it all…
Lots of lovely decor here. Many nice features and pieces. Not a fan of the dining room, however. Looks like a cavern. Some designers like to say that the dark colours open up the space, when in fact, the exact opposite is true. They close the space in and make it look smaller. Nothing a few coats of paint couldn’t cure! Love the blue and white decor. Looks like a few walls were removed that should not have been. Please – not the dreaded “open plan!” That could easily be remedied by putting walls back. It seems an awful lot of money for the property, even for Nantucket, but I don’t know that market as well as Hudson, NY, which was founded by Nantucket whalers. One couldn’t even find a property hereabouts for $13 million.
WONDERFUL! How great it is to see some one so passionate about what they love and what great use of color, with just the right amount of grey and beige without it being a neutral overload.
Perfection! Love your blog.
Thank you Cynthia! 🙂
Xx,
Andrea
The Glam Pad