Aptly named Dune, this magnificent estate rests atop the undulating bluff on Nantucket’s north shore on a stretch of land known as Eel Point. Just steps away from its own private beach, this property is a summertime mecca, beckoning the owner and their friends from near and far to enjoy the many amenities offered by this spectacular new build. The property features a 10,000-square foot main house and 4,000 square foot guest house, plus pool, spa, outdoor kitchen, three indoor kitchens, nine guest suites, a bunk room, home office, gym with private steam shower, home theatre, wine cellar, tennis, paddle and basketball courts, ball fields, and a host of other luxuries and modern conveniences. Dune is, at its heart, a place to gather, and with “recreation” as its middle name, this estate was built to withstand serious entertaining. It was designed to capture the allure of the island’s seaside environment; a place this young couple and their children could call home during the glorious days of summer to enjoy the many recreations of an extended Nantucket holiday. Think summer. This house embodies every attribute the season conjures.
It possesses a warm and carefree comfort without sacrificing hip sophistication and easy elegance. The moment you step into the two-story vaulted entry with its graceful winding staircase, you are welcomed into an airy and pleasing space that exudes cool personality. With a nod to the nautical community in which it is located, the interior is filled with reminders of the natural world: specimen shells are featured as decorative objects and serve as long-lasting centerpieces; grasscloth and natural fibers grace many of the walls; natural woven raffia blinds serve as window treatments; and rattan furniture and jute rugs lend texture to many of the rooms. To ensure low-maintenance upkeep, the furniture, fabrics, wall and floor coverings were all designed to withstand the inevitable sand and salt that are unwelcome intrusions in life on the island. Nantucket is a town that became wealthy in the mid-nineteenth century during the booming heyday of voyages to the Pacific in search of whale oil. Most of the existing inventory of historic homes was constructed in the center of the village during this time. The interior finishes of this house incorporate elements that honor the historic architecture of this old whaling community. Traditional beadboard and v-groove paneling was applied with updated twists in size and design to many of the walls and ceilings. For example, the entryway features twelve-inch beadboard hung horizontally for a more modern take on the standard two-inch vertical panel that is typical of Nantucket-style cottages, and a wall in the living room is faced with a square grid of Shaker-style paneling reminiscent of traditional raised paneling seen in so many of the island’s antique homes.