An American flag billows above the gray-shingle cottage, while the waves of Nantucket Harbor lap in a comforting rhythm. Perched on pilings in a historic wharf, the tiny beach house looks every bit the New England classic, its weathered shingles and flowering window box framing views of the water.

It’s a picture-perfect glimpse of Nantucket, the Massachusetts island celebrated for its natural beauty and old-fashioned charm. The area has always captivated designers Gary McBournie and Bill Richards, whose seaside style has graced homes on the island for decades. “There’s something magical about this one,” Richards says of the 800-square-foot cottage. Its diminutive size was part of the appeal. “Smaller projects can be very rewarding,” McBournie says. “You get to do things in these little spaces that you wouldn’t do in big houses.”

An American flag billows above the gray-shingle cottage, while the waves of Nantucket Harbor lap in a comforting rhythm. Perched on pilings in a historic wharf, the tiny beach house looks every bit the New England classic, its weathered shingles and flowering window box framing views of the water.

It’s a picture-perfect glimpse of Nantucket, the Massachusetts island celebrated for its natural beauty and old-fashioned charm. The area has always captivated designers Gary McBournie and Bill Richards, whose seaside style has graced homes on the island for decades. “There’s something magical about this one,” Richards says of the 800-square-foot cottage. Its diminutive size was part of the appeal. “Smaller projects can be very rewarding,” McBournie says. “You get to do things in these little spaces that you wouldn’t do in big houses.”