NOMADS ON NANTUCKET

NANTUCKET BOUTIQUE, NOMAD, SHOWCASES ITS OWNER’S LOVE OF TRAVEL, UNIQUE PIECES, TALENTED ARTISTS AND BEAUTIFUL TEXTILES IN A TOUCH-FRIENDLY MANNER—EVEN DURING THE PANDEMIC.

TOUCH

I dare you to step into Amanda Tanner’s two-old Center Street shop, Nomad, and keep your hands to yourself. It’s simply too tough to resist the urge to touch absolutely every single linen fabric, pillow, glass tableware item and ceramic objet d’art that makes up the enviable, cosseted space. And perhaps even more-so now, in the COVID-era, where touching feels verboten.

FORTUNATELY, THE SHOP IS OPEN VIA APPOINTMENT through the winter allowing clients to come in singularly and touch away, and then in April, it will open full-time with strict occupancy, hand-sanitizing and mask policies to keep clients and the community safe. Centered on the organic, Tanner is drawn to pieces that “allow the shopper to experience the maker’s hand upon touch,” she explains, and follows the mantra that “design does not have to be perfect, but it has to have soul.”

Originally from New Zealand, Tanner made Nantucket her home base 26 years ago and has had a hand in the retail business since her arrival. However, it was 11 years ago when she and her husband purchased their first investment rental property. They gutted the place and furnished it with finds from their travels. It was then, after numerous guests inquired after the home’s décor and various housewares, that she realized she may just have a knack for this. “I started to think I should offer everything in the house with a price tag on it,” she jokes. She had just become a dealer for the Italian furniture line she used in the home (and now carries in the store) when she was having a glass of champagne with fellow retailers, celebrating the retirement of the Nantucket downtown mailman, and she got the tip that the space where Nomad now resides might be up for rent. “You know the mailman is always a wonderful source!” she exclaims. What’s even more amazing than the gorgeous space is that she was able to pull it together in just a few short months. But, as she explains, “The outcome and response have been worth all the hard work. It brings me pleasure to share my love for interiors and see others inspired by my vision.”

Most of the inventory is sourced from abroad—from destinations like France, Italy, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden and Australia. Tanner is especially proud to have some talented American artists, including two exceptional ceramicists, ironically both from New England, each with very specific techniques that, according to Tanner, “lend themselves to create the perfect Nomad table setting.” Nomad also showcases a local Nantucket photographer who, according to Tanner, “manages to capture the essence of this beautiful island of ours in an unexpected way.” Some of Tanner’s favorite items—though she cherishes them all—are hand-loomed placemats and open-weave, hand-knitted table runners from New Zealand and the French candle line Mad et Len, which is positively intoxicating and poured into hand-forged black iron vessels. And of course there are the perennial favorite rustic cutting boards and throw pillows. “Pillows are in abundance at Nomad, and you can’t go past the hand-painted collection from Spain that brings the colors of the Mediterranean alive,” says Tanner.

Annual travel is a crucial part of Tanner’s lifestyle and is when she sources her treasures. In years past she has traveled to France and Italy, visiting some of her favorite artisans. In Italy she met with a lovely olivewood artist who carves the most beautiful cutting boards and spoons in the Maremma area in Tuscany, as well as the mother-daughter team at Aequamente. “Apart from the fact that their beautiful clothes have become my staple wardrobe pieces, I love nothing more than sitting down with them all with a glass of wine and hearing stories about them growing up. It is this connection with the makers that fuels my desire to showcase their work. I have to love the pieces and the people. It is what makes the treasure hunt so fun to be able to discover not only a beautiful product, but the people behind it,” says Tanner.

In France, just outside of Paris, she hand-picked another round of vintage bleached-wood dining tables, whose sand tone when fused with curved steel legs resonated with customers last year. She also found spectacular hand-dyed pillows in the Bordeaux region made from organic fibers and plant-based dyes. She’s particularly excited about a French ceramicist, whose pieces are works of art made from delicate porcelain mixed with woven hemp fiber. “There is no way to describe these incredible pieces without seeing them. It’s a tactile world here at Nomad, and we invite guests to come in and feel the maker’s hand.” And though this year was sadly devoid of European travel, Tanner is looking forward to her third season and has used her resources to receive some fresh new product lines from abroad. We can’t wait to touch them!

FOR MORE INFORMATION nomadnantucket.com