There's no weathered Nantucket red in this New England beach house.
On his longtime escape of Nantucket, Boston designer Gary McBournie turns a wreck of a ranch house into a home reflective of his effervescent spirit.
Designer Gary McBournie and Bill Richards, partners in life and work, transformed a 1940s ranch house on Nantucket, an island known as the Grey Lady, into an idyllic new home away from home. A privet hedge and glossy blue door welcome visitors.
The couple's Welsh terrier, Winston, lounges in the garden, which used to be a parking lot. At the center of the walkway, a circa-1890 English armillary sphere serves as sculpture.
To stay on budget, McBournie initially resisted raising the living room ceiling, which was flat. "But Bill found those strong abstract paintings by Silvio Cattani and fell in love," he says. "They were too big to hang in the room without raising the ceiling." Rug, Stark. Vintage chandelier, Stilnovo.
In the living room, the mix includes vintage armchairs by Edward Wormley upholstered in pumpkin-hued Prestwick wool satin from Schumacher, a blue-glass mirror by FontanaArte, and a glass-topped rattan side table. "Our previous homes were historic houses, and the decorating style reflected that — this house is more lighthearted and fun," Richards says. "We combined midcentury and 1970s design with bits from Nantucket and a slight nautical feel."
Originally a small bedroom, the couple transformed this space into a library with the help of a memorable fabric by Bob Collins & Sons. The room includes hidden doors that lead to a full bathroom and closet.
McBournie covered the dining room walls with reflective Champagne on Pewter Leaf wallcovering by Phillip Jeffries. "It's really nice at night, with the candles lit," he says. "It provides a soft, dull reflection with great warmth." Chairs, Duane Modern.
A vintage bar cart by Paul McCobb for Calvin is always well stocked and ready for entertaining.
A checkerboard floor in Benjamin Moore's Racing Orange brightens up the mostly white kitchen. Cabinets in Hollandlac Brilliant White by Fine Paints of Europe.
The house has become a meeting place for McBournie's friends and family every summer. He used soft oranges, blues, and greens to create this welcoming room.
McBournie combined the custom touches of the embroidered Pioneer Linens bedding with vintage pieces like the brass mirror that hangs over the lacquered chest of drawers by C.J. Peters.
The custom Bob Collins & Sons upholstered walls in the guest room reflect the light, joyful feeling that McBournie sought for the house.
The master bedroom walls have a decorative cross-glaze paint finish by Audrey Sterk, and an armchair by the window is the place for taking it all in. "Gary always likes chairs in a bedroom," Richards says. "It's nice to retreat there, have your coffee, and take care of your messages and e-mails."
A curtain made from Marimekko's Räsymatto fabric extends across the wall behind the bed.
A 1970s desk and a '50s Italian chair covered with a sheepskin throw add up to a handsome work nook.
For the master bathroom, McBournie chose Waterworks hardware in unlacquered brass, so that it would tarnish and age. His goal was to tie all the details back to the nautical feeling of the house.
The outdoor shower area is reached through the indoor bathroom.
McBournie added a large porch, which serves as an outdoor living and dining space. Lamps made from wire baskets stuffed with oyster shells are heavy enough to stay put during storms.
New cushions in Rough 'n Rowdy all-weather fabric from Perennials add comfort to vintage bamboo furniture.
McBournie started working on the garden within the first month of buying the property. The garden was completed while the house was still under construction. "I believe in the French way of doing property," McBournie said. "Do the landscaping first, lay things out, and then go from there."
Richards, left, and McBournie enjoy their garden. Read more about their inspiration for this home here. For more details, see resources.
This story originally appeared in the May 2016 issue of House Beautiful.
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