History & Design meet at one of the world's most

sought-after destinations 30 miles out to sea!

Nantucket by Design is an annual celebration of art, design, and history hosted by the Nantucket Historical Association on the charming island of Nantucket. The event brings together world-renowned designers, artisans, and skilled craftspeople to showcase the timeless elegance of Nantucket’s design heritage. Through panels, keynotes, master classes, social events, and more, participants experience how modern style is interwoven with Nantucket's iconic history. The event benefits the Nantucket Historical Association, supporting its mission to preserve, interpret, and share the diverse stories of Nantucket with all audiences through its collections, properties, programs, and research.

2025 Theme

This year’s theme of Nantucket by Design is Interwoven. Inspired by the Nantucket Historical Association’s 2025 featured exhibition, Behind the Seams: Textiles and Clothing on Nantucket, our theme will celebrate diverse and artful elements woven together to create engaging and cohesive moments. Interwoven signifies thoughtful and balanced combinations, and we look forward to exploring this theme in many topics throughout our programming, from interiors to craft, and the meaning behind how we can interpret interwoven stories of the island and beyond.

About the

The Nantucket Historical Association preserves, interprets, and shares the diverse stories of Nantucket with all audiences through its collections, properties, programs, and research.

Experience the NHA by visiting the Whaling Museum, Hadwen House, and Historic Sites. Engage with the NHA by attending a program, taking a Decorative Arts workshop, and joining us on a walking tour. Learn more about NHA offerings at NHA.org.

Meet Our Chairs

2024-25 Nantucket by Design Chairs

Marla Sanford is the President of MARLA Design Group, a premier high-end residential and commercial design firm serving Nantucket and the Mainland. In addition to leading MARLA, she is a Contributing Editor for Boston Home Magazine, exploring the fascinating intersection of fashion and interior design trends. Before venturing into interior design, she founded and ran a residential real estate firm specializing in homebuyer representation alongside a passion project in fashion and shoe design, Nantucket Sole. Her career began in sports marketing and athlete representation in New York City, showcasing her versatile skill set and entrepreneurial spirit. As a dedicated community member, Marla serves on several committees in the Greater Boston area, including Horizons for Homeless Children and she is on the board of the Nantucket Historical Association, where she is proud to have been one of the youngest inductees. Residing in Boston with her 10-year-old daughter, Sailor, Marla cherishes their summers on Nantucket, a place she has considered a 2nd home for her entire life.

Bill Richards is a partner at Gary McBournie, Inc., a residential interior design firm with projects across the US and Europe, where he oversees operations and assists with design projects. He is also a partner in Gary McBournie Home which produces coastal-themed fabrics and wallpapers available to the trade. Prior to serving as Senior Vice President and Technology Practice Leader at Eastern Insurance Group in Boston, he was a Senior Vice President at both William Gallagher Associates and Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Salem State College. Bill has served on the boards of Jose Mateo Ballet Theatre in Cambridge, MA and LaFontana Cooperative Apartments in West Palm Beach, FL. He currently serves on the boards of Trianon Condominium in West Palm Beach and the Nantucket Historical Association. Bill served as the co-chair of NHA’s 2024 Nantucket by Design and will also serve as co-chair for the 2025 Nantucket By Design event.