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by Jean Childs

Photography by Tom G. Olcott

ADecorator’s Haven

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t was more than 20 years ago when

Barbara Saxon Morganrounded Brant Point to catch her first glimpse of Nantucket Harbor. The Grey Lady did not

disappoint.

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Coming to Nantucket“I was immediately struck by the quiet beauty, the subtle colors of dockside boats, and the romance of the historicalhomes and cobblestone streets,“ says Saxon Morgan. Yet, itwould be another 15 years before Barbara and her husband,Rick, would buy a home on the island, and thus begin theprocess of turning an ordinary spec cottage into a familyhome filled with historic references and, above all, elegantunderstated charm.

“Design is a process,” says Saxon Morgan, and she shouldknow. In 1979, after completing her studies in Fine Arts atthe University of North Carolina-Charlotte, Saxon Morganestablished Saxon Design Group, Inc. The company soongrew from predominately residential design to include large scale hospitality, healthcare, and corporate projectsthroughout the East Coast. In 1984, the firm relocated first toNew York and Philadelphia and now includes offices basedin Henniker, N.H. and Nantucket, Mass.

Saxon Morgan’s design partner, Jean Childs, describes her“…as an artist, first and foremost. Happily, Barbara hasbrought her talents as an artist to bear on the world of design.Her innate sense of style, coupled with her training and yearsof experience, has resulted in her ability to envision and execute memorable interiors uniquely characterized by the

selection of timeless design elements and furnishings of thehighest quality.”

So how did Barbara and Rick decide to buy on the island?

“After years of visiting friends on the island, we found thecharm that is Nantucket had worked its way into our hearts.Then, about six years ago we started looking at properties.When Rick and I first looked at the cottage, we were both attracted by the grounds,” states Saxon Morgan. “I could envision the lush English gardens and the croquet and badminton tournaments on the lawn before we even enteredthe house!”

Once inside the little cottage, however, Saxon Morgan likedthe classic lines but felt that the home was missing historicalreferences that define the Nantucket Style. She also realizedthat there was major work to be done if she and her husbandwere to accommodate family and the many friends, on and offisland, who are a large part of their life.

So, how does a designer function when she is also the client?

In Saxon Morgan’s case, she called on her friend and partner.“Jean and I have known each other since we were freshmanin high school. She is a friend, who became a client, who

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became a partner.” says Saxon Morgan. Childs adds, “AfterI had purchased a historical Greek Revival home in SanDiego, California, the first person I called was Barbara. Weworked closely on restoring this unique property, which led usto continue to collaborate on many additional projects.” Childslater formalized her amateur design status by completing herdegree in design at the Interior Designers Institute in NewportBeach, California.

Saxon Morgan quickly picks up the narrative – they often finish each other’s sentences – “Jean came out from the WestCoast and started asking me questions that I so often haveasked of my clients.” What do you want your lifestyle to behere on Nantucket? How often will the kids be here – and willthey be bringing their friends? How much will you entertain here?What will you need to accommodate this lifestyle? What isyour entertainment style? “ These are just a few of the basicquestions a designer needs answered to establish the criteriathat will evolve into a design that is unique to the client’sneeds,” says Saxon Morgan. Childs adds, “And, from those

conversations, ideas begin to crystallize as design solutions are tossed around (and oftentimes tossed out) until,finally, an inspiration for the project emerges that a designercan build upon.“

Starting The Project The first and foremost order of a project is to follow the architectural envelope and natural landscape of the project.Equally important is the client’s lifestyle and individual personality. Following that, there must be a thorough understanding of the functional requirements of the project,an inventory of possessions, and a concrete idea of thebudget. “Oftentimes, clients are reluctant to reveal theirbudget; however, the budget is a driving force for the scopeof design and the quality of materials to be used, “ statesChilds.

Early on in the renovation, Saxon Morgan found her inspirationfor tone, hue, and ambiance from a favorite period painting sheand her husband purchased at the Nantucket Antiques Show.

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Painted in 1861 by Nelson Augustus Moore, “Heavy Surf”depicts a seascape in Gloucester, Massachusetts, while another antique oil captures three fishermen sitting around afire on the beach. “I loved their old world - style and richcolor palettes, and they became the starting points of our design. I also incorporated my husband’s collection of classicdecoys, geese, and shore birds into the overall design plan,”says Saxon Morgan. Those key inspirations translated into a design characterized by rich tones, antique furnishings, andthe highest quality materials and finishes – all grounded in thebasic principles of sustainability and eco-responsibility.

The overall design was further enhanced by the contributionsof Buzz Cosgriff, a local general contractor. “Often, whenworking with a client, the designer is brought in after the planshave been drawn. In doing my own home, I had the luxuryof being involved from the start. I love to cook and entertainand wanted a kitchen that was a dream to work in. I envisioned one great, glorious room to facilitate entertainingwith style and ease,” says Saxon Morgan.

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Saxon Design Group provided Cosgriff with complete constructiondrawings and elevations so that everyone knew what to expect. Together, they worked on every detail of the constructionand installation of the entire project. What emerged throughSaxon Morgan’s collaboration with Cosgriff was the demolition of the existing kitchen and dining area to be replaced with a large great room, dining room, and a luxuriously efficient kitchen that could manage entertainingfor four or 50. As first envisioned, this open plan is now centered on a wall of French doors leading to an expansivedeck overlooking the manicured lawn and the beautiful English gardens.

Team PlayShe and Cosgriff subsequently pushed onward to completethe renovation of three levels of the home. It was a goodteam. “Buzz introduced us to local artisans Paul McCarthyand Jean Petty of Nantucket Carving and Folk Art,” saysSaxon Morgan. McCarthy’s carving of a “happy” whale, residing comfortably over the kitchen stove, complements the

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theme of the home “Far and Away Haven. ”Petty’s painting ofthe carving can only be described as pure Nantucket charmwith its primitive style capturing an early Nantucket Harbor.Christina Wiggins, another brilliant local artist, painted two ofthe guest room floors in traditional decorative designs and,when asked by Saxon Morgan to paint a mural in the powder room, she produced a masterfully painted primitiveseascape.“This project demonstrates that the best of designsare – in the end – largely dependent on the creative team thatcomes together for a project,” says Saxon Morgan.

Gorgeous GreenSaxon Morgan and Childs appreciate the growing clientawareness of the importance of “Green Design” and becoming environmentally responsible. “About five years ago,I started talking up green design and initially there was resistance on the part of clients,” states Childs. “Many had theidea that “green” somehow meant unattractive, perhaps crudeeven, and that it couldn’t be applied to a sophisticated design. It became my goal to show clients that green couldalso be gorgeous and Barbara and I started referring to thisidea as “Gorgeous Green.” Saxon Morgan and Childs believe “Gorgeous Green” should be incorporated as an integral component in all aspects of design and that elegantinteriors never need be compromised while achieving an ecologically responsible design. Saxon Morgan put these

principles into practice by using reclaimed walnut flooring(gorgeous!), using low VOC paints (healthy!), incorporatinglow energy production fabrics where possible, and findingmany local materials to help reduce the carbon footprint ofthe project. Childs believes this concept is a natural for Nantucket. “Living on the West Coast for so many years, Ithought we were at the forefront of the new green revolution.However, the first time Barbara and I had to sort the housetrash in Nantucket, I was beyond being impressed!! Nantuckethas the right idea and I just wish more communities would incorporate your practices. It is a classic example of recycle,reuse, and reduce – the cornerstones of green design.”

Relying on classical proportions and scale, and believing thatbasic good taste never changes despite the latest trends,Saxon Morgan and Childs are two designers who create interiors that become classics while drawing on fresh newproducts, finishes and materials for projects that are unique tothe client. Both designers agree that the understated elegance and charm of Nantucket has crept into theirimaginations and they are looking forward to designing

“Nantucket – Just As You Imagined It.”

Visit their Website to view portfolio:

SaxonDesignGroup.com

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