White Elephant Nantucket Will Unveil Complete Renovation for 2023 Season

The White Elephant, overlooking the harbor, has been an integral part of Nantucket's history since the 1920s. Built as a series of rustic cottages, the landmark has evolved into the island's most timeless resort, with a collection of chic accommodations showcasing the very best of the beloved destination. In May 2023, in time with the White Elephant's 100th anniversary, the resort will debut yet another metamorphosis, with a multi-million top-to-bottom restoration and renovation of its 66-room and -suite Harborside Hotel and 11 Cottages.
 
Boston-based designer Elkus Manfredi has conceived of a bright, airy, residential-inspired refresh, drawing on the essence of the island—its history, the quality of light, its natural landscapes, the colors, textures, and artistic legacy—to breathe new life into these historic accommodations. All materials and finishes will be replaced, from the carpets to the fixtures and the furnishings, with an emphasis on design details that are authentic to place and exude effortless sophistication. The patterns of the textiles will draw on the island's rich history of basket weaving; antique brass accents evoke classic Nantucket; and light blue ceilings in the rooms recall the skies on a summer's day. The brand's deep heritage will be woven throughout, with brass elephant knockers on doors, elephant door and drawer pulls, and elephant needlepoint pillows in rooms.
 
The Harborside Hotel will debut a redesigned lobby that sets the tone for relaxed elegance, drawing in local elements like a basket weave carpet design that nods to the surroundings. Rooms are awash in a palette of Labrador blue, seafoam, and shell white, with rattan textiles, scalloped lampshades and headboards, and grass cloth wall coverings that evoke the island's dune grasses. 
 
Like the distinct patterns that make up an exquisite quilt, the 11 cottages will all be individually decorated and styled after plants indigenous to Nantucket: Bayberry, Hydrangea, Daylily, Beachplum, Honeysuckle, Holly, Arrowwood, Marigold, Rosa Rugosa, and Snapdragon. Each cottage will take a plant as inspiration, with color palettes and artworks that evoke the flora—tones of buttery yellow for the Honeysuckle room, pale lavender for Beachplum, and pale pink for Rose. Bathrooms will also be completely renovated. Charming, warm, and inviting, each space will feel like stepping into someone's home.
 
New art will be installed throughout, resulting from the brand's all-new Artist in Residency Program, launched in August 2022. New York based art consultant and curator Emily Santangelo worked closely with White Elephant's owners, the Karp family, to create a mini-residency made up for acclaimed artists from around the world.