Inside a Cozy 1700s Nantucket Cottage Full of Antiques

When Nicole Tirapelli found Ivy Lodge, a late-1700s whaling cottage in Nantucket's historic Siasconset village, she wasn't looking for a turnkey home. She was looking for a challenge.

Originally configured as a duplex with two kitchens and a maze of disconnected rooms, the house required a complete rethinking. Rather than rushing into renovations, Nicole and her family took their time deciding what they wanted to do with the home.

"We decided to live in the house the way it was the first summer, just to see how it felt," Nicole says. "Once we figured out what we liked about the house, then it was really easy for me to figure out the flow."

That patient approach shaped a thoughtful restoration that balances modern living with the home's nearly 250-year history. The renovation included new plumbing, electrical systems and insulation, allowing the former summer cottage to become a comfortable year-round home while preserving its historic character.

Nicole's background isn't in interior design. She spent years working in her family's Ford dealership outside Chicago before discovering a passion for renovating homes after relocating to Nantucket during the pandemic. What began as a one-year move never ended.

The living room is a celebration of Nantucket's maritime heritage. Vintage whaling tools line the ceiling, antique dioramas fill the walls and a restored cabinet displays everything from family keepsakes to Christmas mugs collected during travels. Throughout the home, Nicole pairs treasured antiques with durable contemporary furnishings designed for everyday family life.

Her philosophy extends well beyond decorating.

"I don't buy a lot of items new," she says. "I buy a lot of things from tag sales, estate sales or yard sales."

Many of those pieces carry stories of their own. A $30 bar cart from a local restaurant now anchors the dining room. Damaged chairs rescued from a Nantucket consignment sale were restored and lacquered. Antique sideboards became bathroom vanities. Even an old spindle bed was transformed into an entry bench.

Helping bring many of those ideas to life is Nicole's longtime collaborator, furniture restorer Meg Piercey, whose craftsmanship appears throughout the house in custom upholstery, painted finishes and inventive furniture transformations.

The home's compact footprint also encouraged creative solutions. Built-in storage is tucked into every available corner, closets are hidden within sloped walls and furniture often serves multiple purposes. Nicole's antique desk sits at the foot of her bed, creating a functional workspace without sacrificing precious square footage.

The kitchen serves as the heart of the home, centered around a custom banquette where family and friends gather for meals, sporting events and long winter evenings beside the wood-burning stove. A custom copper range hood, hand-selected English fixtures and layered floral wallpapers create a room that feels collected rather than decorated.

Outside, the home's gardens and welcoming front porch reflect the same spirit. Located in the heart of Siasconset, Ivy Lodge has become a natural gathering place where neighbors stop by unannounced and meals often grow larger as more friends arrive.

For Nicole, preserving the home's history isn't just about architectural details. It's about becoming part of its ongoing story.

"I feel so honored to be the custodian of Ivy Lodge," she says.

That sense of stewardship guided every decision, from restoring original doors and woodwork to keeping the home's historic name intact. Rather than freezing the house in time, Nicole has created a home that celebrates Nantucket's past while embracing the rhythms of contemporary family life—one filled with collections, craftsmanship and the people who continue to bring it to life.

Videography by Jonathan Nimerfroh.