4 New Takes on Nautical We’re Stealing From This Nantucket Hotel

Nantucket, known for its traditional visual appeal, has recently seen a refreshing take on its classic nautical style with the opening of a new Life House hotel. Hotelier Rami Zeidan, in collaboration with vice president of design Jenny Bukovec, has introduced a contemporary interpretation of nautical design that departs from the usual maritime stripes and oceanic color palettes. This new approach embraces moodier, more eclectic aesthetics, favoring jewel tones over seafoam greens and sky blues. Bukovec's design philosophy focuses on integrating these modern nautical elements into any living space, beginning with the strategic use of color on moldings. Instead of traditional white, she advocates for unexpected hues like warm charcoal, dusty jade, and beach blossom plum to create contrast and highlight subtle textures. These darker colors draw the eye, emphasizing architectural details and complementary elements such as raffia wall coverings, handwoven coastal grass fiber headboards, and floral ceramic tiles. Another key aspect of this updated nautical design is the shift from classic stripes to botanical patterns. While acknowledging the appeal of stripes, Bukovec suggests incorporating playful floral upholstery, artwork, and light fixtures to prevent a monotonous feel. She stresses the importance of choosing locally rooted flora for botanical prints to ensure an intentional and timeless look, rather than something that might quickly become dated. When stripes are used, they are given a creative twist, such as two-tone creme sheer drapery, rather than being the dominant pattern on furniture. The hotel's design also reinterprets the use of rattan and woven fibers. Instead of traditional white wicker, natural rattan pieces and handwoven sisal fibers are employed, drawing inspiration from natural driftwood. This approach brings a sense of nonchalance to outdoor spaces, with whites reintroduced through textures like fringed umbrellas or concrete planters. Finally, Bukovec addresses the modernization of wood paneling. She advises against covering original wood paneling with paint, as it can obscure the natural elements that are integral to a coastal landscape. In the communal kitchen, for example, cedar planks were left exposed. To add a contemporary touch, a fish scale-style floor tile in black was installed, moving away from overtly nautical themes. Mauve countertops, punchy patterns, and vintage framed photography were layered in to prevent the space from becoming too serious and to honor the history of the 200-year-old home, effectively blending historical elements with modern design sensibilities. #NauticalDesign #HotelInteriorDesign #ModernNautical #NantucketStyle #InteriorDecor #HomeDesignTrends #DesignInspiration #ColorPalette #ArchitecturalDetails #NauticalDesign #HotelInteriorDesign #ModernNautical #NantucketStyle #InteriorDecor #HomeDesignTrends #DesignInspiration #ColorPalette #ArchitecturalDetails

86 months ago

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