PIVOT IN PALETTE

AT A NANTUCKET HOME, GARY MCBOURNIE LETS OCEAN AND SKY TOUT THE COLOR BLUE. INSIDE, THE DESIGNER SHOWS THE CHARM OF OTHER HUES

- ELLA SCHULTE

Nobody would snub an interior scheme of blue in Nantucket. After all, the lure of the island comes from the bright ocean that surrounds land lush with hydrangeas and delightful architecture. But Boston-based designer Gary McBournie saw an opportunity for something different in a 1900s-era beach cottage, where he imbued the spaces with a casual yet polished form of living.

Designed to host family and friends during summer gatherings, this Cape Cod-style home boasts grounds as captivating as a midsummer horizon. The property's attractions include gardens landscaped to storybook charm and porches that run parallel to far-reaching shores.

"It was important to me to pay tribute to Nantucket's color scheme," McBournie says. "The palette requested by my client gave the project an interesting spin. Her love for blushes and blues just so happened to match my vision."

Natural light pours into the living room, which balances formality with casual sophistication. Dreamy layers nod to the aesthetic of the woman who lives here. Seating, for instance, achieves cottage appeal with patterns, such as a feminine floral used on armchairs that mingle effortlessly with a clean-lined modern cocktail table. Blue and white honor coastal influences. Notes of blush and coral infuse the scheme with fresh appeal.