By Leslie Linsley

Author of “Nantucket Island Living” (Monicelli)

August 2023

Is it possible that summer is half over? To get the most out of August, put your mind at ease with a fall plan. Then put it aside and enjoy the last days of summer.  Walk room by room and assess your home. Make a list of what needs fixing, replacing and adding for next season and keep in mind, there’s no substitute for quality, so replace what isn’t working with the best you can afford. 

Shift out of neutral and reimagine a powder room, hallway or bedroom with a seductive paint color like Conch Shell from Benjamin Moore. This dusty hue, with a gentle dose of pink is “of the moment” in the design world. Add drama with Crushed Berry on the ceiling!  The company’s Natural Linen offers a warm welcome and immediate feeling of calm in the entryway. 

Nothing refreshes a room like a new window treatment and there’s a whole lot of options from Hunter Douglas. I was talking to island decorator Kathleen Hay this week about how the natural beauty of the island is so important when designing a Nantucket home. “A good designer will always consider the views as part of the interior,” she said, and your windows play a big part in this. Start by taking advantage of the design team in the Home Furnishings Department. Take notes and after that first visit, go through your rooms imagining how a change of window treatment might be the perfect refresher for next season. I love the dark wood blinds in my home office because I can totally control the light, air and a view of my garden - AND I can tweak the privacy factor to perfection. Great for a den because when closed at night, the room becomes all warm and cozy.

            But first, let’s remember to make the most of remaining summer days: 1. Plan a spectacular end of summer beach or boat picnic with a catered clambake or picnic-to-go. 2. Be ready for next season by replacing over-used outdoor gear now. 3. Treat yourself to luxurious ACK monogramed Matouk beach blankets for recognition on your winter getaway. Like the Nantucket Lightship basket purses, an ACK monogram is an “insider” status symbol recognized worldwide. 

            There is one item I cannot live without. I keep the Dirt Devil Compact Power cordless vacuum in the car for quick, sand removal after the beach. And while you’re at it, check out the portable Bissell Spotbot Pet cleaner to get rid of tough pet stains. Now relax and embrace every beach day as if it’s the last one until next season.