Nantucket by Design Event Celebrates Ten Years in July

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The Nantucket Historical Association’s premiere design event marks its decennial with a thoughtful exploration of creativity, craftsmanship, and cultural legacy.

A charming house with gray shingle siding and white trim, featuring a central entrance with white double doors and a small balcony above with black shutters. The entrance is accessed by white stairs with railings, flanked by lush flower beds filled with colorful blooms and greenery. Window boxes with vibrant flowers adorn the windows on both sides of the walkway, creating a welcoming and picturesque scene.

Photo by Emily Elizabeth Photography

This article is from the spring 2026 issue of Boston Home. Sign up here to receive a subscription.

Each summer, Nantucket becomes a gathering place for leading voices in interiors, architecture, landscape, and the decorative arts during Nantucket by Design, the annual design celebration hosted by the Nantucket Historical Association. Taking place this year on July 13–16, the multiday event draws designers, collectors, and design enthusiasts to the island for an immersive survey of signature style, storytelling, and lasting influence.

This year’s theme, “Etched in Time: Signature Design Stories,” reflects on the enduring influence of design across generations. Inspired by the tradition of scrimshaw—the engraved art form once used by sailors to document their lives and journeys—the program explores how today’s designers leave their own mark through innovation, artistry, and a reverence for craft. Each space, object, and landscape becomes a personal signature, shaped by time, place, and purpose.

Last year’s keynote was Martha Stewart, who was interviewed by her friend, acclaimed landscape designer Fernando Wong. / Photo by Scott Eisen

Presented in dialogue with the Nantucket Historical Association and the traveling exhibition “The Wider World & Scrimshaw,” the program positions design as both a personal expression and a cultural record. Through keynote talks, panel discussions, and hands-on workshops, attendees are invited to consider how creative work carries meaning forward, preserving history while shaping what comes next.

Throughout the week, Nantucket by Design offers a thoughtfully curated calendar of cocktail receptions, intimate dinners, and numerous pop-up events, creating opportunities for meaningful connection and conversation among attendees.

A long outdoor dining table set with a light beige and white checkered tablecloth and a floral table runner with a pink border. The table features wicker placemats, white plates with floral designs, and light green napkins embroidered with flowers. Bamboo-handled cutlery is neatly arranged beside each setting. Green and clear glassware, including goblets and water glasses, are placed at each setting. The centerpiece consists of multiple wicker baskets filled with pastel-colored flowers, including pink, blue, and white blooms, along with tall pink taper candles in clear glass holders. The setting is surrounded by beige cushioned chairs and lush green garden foliage in the background.

The island’s native flora is incorporated into events in a myriad of ways, including as focal points for the tablescapes, which take center stage at private dinners throughout the week. / Photo by Georgie Morley

For cochairs Marla Mullen and Bill Richards, now leading the event for the third year, this milestone occasion also invites reflection. “As we look ahead to what will be our 10th anniversary of Nantucket by Design in 2026, we’re also taking time to reflect on how far this event has come—and we’re filled with gratitude for everyone who helped us get here,” they share. “What began as an idea has grown into a nationally recognized event—one filled with meaningful experiences that support and celebrate our shared mission at the NHA, on an island rich in history and community that we all hold close to our hearts. And the best part? We’re just getting started!”

At its core, Nantucket by Design is a celebration of storytelling, legacy, and the enduring power of thoughtful design—signatures truly etched in time.

For more information on this year’s event, visit www.nantucketbydesign.com.