By Leslie Linsley

Author of “Nantucket Island Living” (Stewart, Tabori & Chang)

October 2026

When the tide is high, I kayak. The simplicity of this sport puts everything into perspective. I keep my kayak at the town pier, one street over from where I live. At any moment I pick up my gear and I’m there in less than four minutes. To do this I cut across my neighbor’s property and duck under a clothesline to reach the town parking lot where I cut through to Washington Street beach. Today the clothesline was empty. It struck me as the perfect example of elegant simplicity. Its only adornment was perfectly designed wooden clothespins, worn smooth, weathered gray and a reminder of simpler times. A clothesline has only one purpose and performs it well. It is made with the economy of design, cost, labor and execution. Its only embellishment is the items clipped to it. Billowing sheets, fishermen’s overalls, create a story as well as a connection to the natural elements that make a clothesline function well. A clothesline says a lot about the homeowners. 

It’s fall and time to turn our attention to making our homes less summery and ready for the cooler days ahead. Simple elegance is what Nantucket is known for. The island has traditionally understood simplicity as evidenced in our weathered shingles, white trim, early houses that don’t need much embellishment. The beauty is already there. The architecture doesn't have to compete with the landscape. It is part of it. A home can exude touches of simple elegance with the right furnishings. It might be a finely crafted table, a painting or a handcrafted rug that elevates a room. (Check out the carefully curated area rugs in Home Furnishings.) They make a statement, instantly addng character to any room.

I included the home of a prominent interior designer in one of my books. The living room was spare, but each piece of furniture was a work of art. There was a small cocktail table in front of a loveseat reminiscent of a Gatsby movie set. On the hand-crafted table was a small, scallop-shaped bowl. I assumed it was of some provenance and asked who had made it. He explained that the bowl was of no monetary value, but the shape, size, and color were perfectly suited to the table and the room. He added, “When you place a well-designed object, no matter how little it cost, on an exquisite piece of furniture, the object is instantly elevated. Every time I rearrange objects on my table I think of Alexander Baer, a Maryland-based designer with an innate ability to elevate simplicity to an art form.

Simplicity means editing. It is not the same as minimalism, which is a design philosophy. Simplicity is more about the way a home feels and the way we choose to live in it. Simplicity isn’t about having less but knowing what is enough. In Nantucket, the most alluring homes are those furnished with things that have a reason for being there, things that reflect the history of the island. Not one thing shouts for attention. 

The hardest thing in decorating is knowing when to stop. We keep adding things like more pillows, one more piece of furniture than is needed. Try removing one or two things to let the good things stand out. Good design makes daily living easier. 

Simplicity often reveals quality. Natural materials reinforce the beauty of simplicity. For example, a Nantucket Lightship basket is the perfect accessory in a room, no matter where or how it is displayed. Natural materials have an inherent quietness and age gracefully - another characteristic of simple design. Simplicity allows for the messiness of life. Kids spill things, dogs jump on furniture, we put our feet on the coffee table. 

A room doesn’t have to be white to be simple. Using several shades of one color can be remarkably sophisticated. Soft blues, warm whites and weathered wood is always an elegantly simple look in a Nantucket home. Greens that move from pale sage to deep moss reflect beach grasses and the changing environment throughout the seasons.  Benjamin Moore’s “Green Sage” is a soft green/gray color reflective of Nantucket’s environment. “First Light” is a pale pink that creates a soft soothing mood in a bedroom. “Calm” is perfect for the trim. These colors blend seamlessly. For a luxurious look and feel, make the bed with Sferra linens (Housewares) and add a soft pink folded blanket across the bottom of the bed. Refine the space with well- chosen accessories to reinforce the simply elegant approach to living well. 

Painting Tips

1. High-quality brushes hold more paint and provide a smoother finish with fewer stray bristles left on your walls.
2. "Cut in" first: Paint the perimeter of the wall (the corners and edges near the ceiling and baseboards) with a brush before using a roller on the larger areas.
3. When using a roller, to prevent streaks, paint a large "W" shape on the wall and then fill it in without lifting the roller. 
4. A second coat ensures a true, consistent color and a more durable finish.
5. If you have leftover paint, write the room name and date you painted on the can for future touch-ups.