I know a good house piece when I see one, having worked for numerous high-end designers since I was a 19-year-old intern hanging Rothko paintings in Upper East Side brownstones. In actuality, anyone can do the decorating. What makes your space unique, though, is adding thoughtful accents, such as a chinoiserie candle set that glows perfectly at golden hour or a hand-printed French tablecloth that looks like it belongs in a villa in Gigaro.
For this reason, I’ve compiled a list of my top 12 Tuckernuck home finds below: classic, well-made items that are well worth the money. Every item in this collection offers a combination of functionality and style, from the ChappyWrap blanket that is a staple in every Nantucket summer home to the Barbour dog leash that can be used to train a Goldendoodle. In addition to the Lafco Feu de Bois candle, which interior designers frequently give their clients, I have a particular like for the Chefanie Grateful Dead cocktail napkins, which will appeal to both Deadheads and dinner party traditionalists. Because finding items that are as timeless as their materials is the goal of excellent design, not following trends.
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1. Half Past Seven Thumbprint Rocks Glass
This little tumbler, which is handblown and polished in a rich brown tortoise tint, feels like an equal part Upper East Side relic and old bar cart. Thumbprint indentation, the piece’s most notable feature, giving it the ideal weighty-in-hand feel and makes drinking a neat bourbon or a summer spritz feel more like a ritual. Additionally, Half Past Seven is renowned for incorporating tradition into its designs; the company was established by two mothers, which contributes to the line’s inherited style. One more benefit? It is safe to use in the dishwasher.
2. ChappyWrap Harborview Blanket
Every East Coast summer home has at least one Chappy spread at the foot of a pool chair or slung over the arm of a sofa for a reason: it’s a cozy and long-lasting indoor/outdoor blanket. Made from a blend of high-quality cotton, acrylic, and polyester, the brand’s iconic jacquard design is resistant to pilling, fuzz, and shrinking, so it won’t mind a wet post-swim wrap or rosé spilled in salty air.In addition to being substantially proportioned at 60″ x 80″, the napping finish makes it incredibly soft. You may even customize it by adding a name or monogram in the thread color of your choice. The Camel Basketweave and Green Plaid would make a housewarming gift that really stands out, even though the Harborview Herringbone is a classic (especially to friends with porches in Nantucket or cabins in Kennebunkport).
3. LAFCO Feu de Bois Signature Candle
Feu de Bois is the candle I would choose to keep in my present drawer and burn all year long if I could only have one. It smells simple and cozy, like the fireplace of your ideal snow-covered cottage, with a warm, woodsy blend of sandalwood, leather, and smokey frankincense. Additionally, it is hand-poured into a substantial, hand-blown art glass container that exudes luxury from the first match. And believe me when I say that the designers I’ve collaborated with give Lafco candles to customers for a reason: they express taste. Additionally, the 90-hour burn duration is beneficial.
4. Couleur Nature Paris Cornflower Blue French Tablecloth Granada
This tablecloth shouts Gigaro, where only the wealthy (those with private villas nestled into the cliffs) are able to secure a table at La Pinede, where the tables are positioned just steps from the sea. Each 100% cotton piece, which was designed in Paris and hand-printed by craftsmen in Jaipur, exudes a sense of Provençal romance with its cornflower blue plant designs that appear to have been taken from a Cézanne still life. Its spacious sizing (71″ x 106″ for 6 to 8 people or 90″ round for up to 10) makes it perfect for hosting breezy, wine-soaked feasts, and the subtly variable hand-blocked print adds charm. It will improve anything from lemon risotto to lobster rolls.
5. Chefanie Chinoiserie Candle Set
An additional entertaining necessity for your upcoming outdoor party? There are two taper candles in this set. They add the beauty of vintage porcelain to your table without the fragility thanks to their hand-painted delicate blue chinoiserie design. (In the fall, when the blues contrast with richer hues, I also envision these in a somber floral tablescape.) Because each candle is handmade, odorless, and lasts for five to six hours, they are as useful as they are lovely. Additionally, Chefanie, which was established by Stephanie Nass, a caterer and designer from New York, is renowned for fusing whimsy and sophistication—imagine hostess presents that have a little extra charm but still feel Upper East Side-approved.
6. Caton’s Wharf Off Roadie’n Waxed Large Cooler
More than just a sentimental homage to the family station wagon, this cooler is made to last thanks to its sturdy 18-ounce waxed canvas construction and USDA-approved insulation lining. The mesh inside pockets and top zip provide both functionality and style, while the water-resistant exterior keeps contents dry from beach to boat. The sturdy contrast trim and the fact that it can store enough for a real picnic (or a chilled rosé lineup) are two things I adore. Equal parts practicality and charm, it’s the kind of item my dad might have thrown in the back of the Jeep Wagoneer on his way to a clam bake in Montauk.
7. Barbour Tartan Webbing Lead
This Barbour leash is a stylish option for any Goldendoodle trainer who believes that every passing squirrel is an official invitation to run. It’s purposefully shorter than a typical leash at 40 inches, which will give you better control whether you’re doing high-distraction walks or heel training. Anyone who has owned a Beadnell jacket will recognize the iconic tartan design right away, frame the sturdy webbing and brass hardware give it the appearance of a well-made, useful addition to your own ensemble. Believe me, if something is lovely and keeps your shoulder intact, you purchase two. I’ve been walking dogs for years.
8. Two’s Company Blue Belle Bone Inlay Photo Frame
A frame that feels more curated than generic is essential for any well-layered home, and this one does just that. It is trimmed in mango wood, handcrafted from resin and bone that is sustainably sourced, and embellished with indigo-hued flowers that seem to belong in a Mediterranean tile store. Unlike most frames in this price range, it appears to have been picked up at a hidden antique store rather than being added to a cart. It looks great whether it is propped on a bookshelf or set atop a console tray.
9. Juliska Puro Tortoiseshell Vase
If you have been following the comeback of burlwood furniture, you know that tortoiseshell is having a moment and that this trend is here to stay. Juliska’s 6-inch vase, which is made of hand-blown glass with a warm amber speckle that resembles the traditional pattern, adds the same rich, melancholy beauty to your floral arrangements. Consider arranging this on bookshelves, console tables, and even powder rooms; each time, it adds a stylish touch without coming across as forced. Additionally, this version is dishwasher safe, which is a huge plus for floral arrangements compared to the antique tortoise.
10. Matchbook Diaries by Charles Ryan Clarke 21 Club (NYC) Matchbook Print
This framed macro photo is a love letter to vintage New York for anyone who understands what it was like to have a reservation at the 21 Club. The 21 Club, an uptown icon where the martinis served ice-cold, was once an upmarket speakeasy that was converted into a power-lunch club. Charles Ryan Clarke’s 10″ x 12″ inkjet print beautifully depicts the matchbook, complete with blue-tipped matches and the recognizable “21” with jockeys on either side.After being printed, autographed, and custom-made, it is placed in a white gallery frame that feels as fitted as a Barneys jacket (another RIP). It’s the type of item that makes anyone who has ever eaten within the club’s distinctive iron gates tell stories, so I’d arrange it over a bar cart or piled into a salon wall.
11. Chefanie Dancing Bears Cocktail Napkins
As the daughter of a Deadhead and a lifestyle editor, I’ve discovered that trivial details like this are what people remember and what is discussed like rumors over dinner. These Grateful Dead cocktail napkins are anything but “subtle,” and that’s precisely what they’re meant to be. Beyond the pattern, though, the linen embroidery has a surprisingly heavy feel to it. It is sturdy, expertly stitched, and long-lasting—as long as you hand-wash it with gentle detergent. I would enjoy them with a pitcher of lemony negronis, vintage coupes, and a good music. (They’re particularly fantastic if you’re entertaining a diverse group of people; both the buddy who monogrammed her towels and the one who attended Berkeley will love them.)
12. Estelle Colored Glass Stemmed Glass Set
I predicted that colored glassware would make a resurgence in 2021. And sure enough, this design trend has made a big comeback, just like the majority of the ones I’m seeing at the moment—colors from the Depression, silhouettes from the 1940s. (I’ve witnessed these at quiet dinners in Brooklyn and bridal brunches in Bridgehampton.) This six-piece collection of hand-blown glass feels like a gem taken from an antique fair: delicate yet sturdy, contemporary yet distinctly nostalgic. Additionally, they come in sunset-hued pink, lavender, lemon, sage, cornflower, and peach hues, proving that whimsical glassware can still have a chic appearance. Just be ready to wash your hands.
