By Leslie Linsley

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

March 2024

March is a great month for indoor projects. Organize just one kitchen or bedroom drawer when you’re in the mood, It takes no time and the results are enormously satisfying. Be prepared with shelf liner and a new pair of scissors from Housewares. Replace old potholders and dishtowels.

I recently strolled through the store to check out the redesign progress, My first impressions was that each department looks brighter, showcasing the products to their best advantage. The carpet samples and window treatment options in Home Furnishings are expansive and readily accessible. With so many new products and building materials available, I wondered how a homeowner makes educated decisions when decorating a new home or simply refreshing a room.

To learn more, I reached out to Design and Sales Consultant, Dana Jungherr, and Michael Flanagan, Home Furnishings Manager, for advice. Their extensive knowledge and how they deconstruct the thinking behind each design element is impressive. Here’s how our conversations went:



How do you advise a new homeowner when making a decorating plan?
Dana: “The first thing I ask is, ‘Have you chosen a color scheme, beginning with the interior paint.?’ We’re now seeing a trend toward beigy tan and taupey tones. They’re warmer than the cool grays, especially if you’re using your home beyond the summer months. These shades offer an interesting neutral for introducing color in fabrics, rugs, and as a background for artwork.”

If you can’t decide on a color, try this simple process of elimination. Pick a bunch of color samples you like. Eliminate your least favorites until you’re left with two. Then you’ll know the right one.

Continuing my conversation with Dana, I asked about window treatments.

Dana: “Shutters have always been perfect for all types of Nantucket homes. Hunter Douglas has the most variety of styles designed for different types of windows. Consider where your home is located (how much privacy do you need?) and how the rooms are used (an office needs different light than a bedroom, for example).”

The current variety of shades is impressive - both practical and style worthy, contributing to a sustainable design. Some are motorized, others hand-lifted for a gentle rise. If you still have shades with cords, it’s time for an upgrade. No longer manufactured, they date a room. New window treatments offer the easiest home improvement, so it's worthwhile to visit the showroom and have a chat with Dana. 

Q: “What about flooring?”
Dana: “ Luxury Vinyl Tile, (LVT), is also known for its more popular luxury vinyl planks that come in different widths and lengths, and in a variety of wood tones.  The material is comfortable to walk on and good for any room. The large tiles, 18x18-inches or 12x24 inches, offer many choices. Some look like natural stone or concrete. It’s scratch resistant, waterproof, cleans with a damp mop, AND, easy to install!.”

Q: "What about adding color to a room?"

Dana: “Color can be introduced in the furniture fabric, rugs, accessories, or artwork. Our library of fabric samples is vast. Any fabric can be custom ordered, but the most practical way to buy a piece of furniture is to choose from the fabrics offered by the company.”

Home Furnishings Manager, Mike Flanagan is passionate about the high-quality rugs he’s been curating for years. He says, “Choosing a rug might be your most important design decision.”  A beautifully crafted rug makes a statement. It defines the room. It adds quality and character, as well as color and pattern, and sets the stage for every choice that follows. A well-crafted rug can be as significant as fine artwork. Its quiet luxury speaks volumes about good taste, which defines Nantucket’s heritage..

March is a good time to shop leisurely. New products are beginning to fill the showrooms. It may seem like there’s lots of time, until there isn’t, and we say, “Where did the time go?”