At Home in Nantucket
Though its name evokes the nostalgia of summertime haunts and bucolic beach living, Nantucket actually thrums with activity all year round, so it makes sense that this tribute to the island’s homes covers all the seasons. Divided into four parts-spring, summer, fall, winter-the book invites readers into 16 gracious Nantucket residences. Each of them embodies a distinct variation on the classic New England aesthetic, from "Italian Refuge" and "European Treasure" to "Patriotic Barn" and "Painted Cottage." Photographer Paul Whicheloe complements McGee’s text with keenly detailed spreads of the luxurious interiors. Some of the photographs could stand minor enhancements in brightness and contrast, and the complete absence of outside shots feels odd in a book that focuses so much upon seasons. But the homes are well chosen and the text fulfills its duty, as McGee relishes the homeowners’ diverse design interests. The addition of a few local recipes and snippets of island history also helps convey the residents’ quiet passion for their dwellings.Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.