Nantucket Holiday House Tour with Debi Lilly

One of the most special things about becoming a homeowner on Nantucket, is becoming a part of the incredible community.   The year rounders of the island are absolutely wonderful - kind, interesting, creative and salt of the earth - people.  One of my favorite new islanders is the fabulous Debi Lily.  Debi is an ultra-creative.  She's a stylist, event planner and overall one of the kindest, coolest humans. 

Cailíní Coastal had the honor of being a part of one of Debi's recent projects this holiday season on island, and we can't wait to share it with you below!

xx Meg

Credit: Deb Lilly 

CC: Could you share a bit about your journey as a stylist? How would you describe your signature aesthetic?

DL: Even as a young child I always loved styling up flowers, parties, and decor. I remember throwing my mom's big beautiful 30th birthday party for all her friends - when I was just ten! I started my own business right out of college, and worked with Oprah for 15 years, styling up florals, parties, set decor for all the iconic shows like the car giveaway (remember all the huge red bows ontop all 300 cars? And the car keys tied with red silk ribbon inside tiny silver boxes tied up in a bow?), years of Favorite Things dressing the set for Christmas (fully dressed trees would "fly" down from the ceiling onto the stage, wrapping all the giant gift boxes hiding each display, her live on air birthday party, World's Largest Baby Shower, Million Dollar Wedding, and so many more. We've worked with Martha Stewart and team for years, creating florals, parties, weddings, and more. A big favorite project was styling up flowers and more for Lady Gaga's Born this Way backstage vip dinners before each show. Every party is an incredible adventure - we are passionate about creating beauty and celebrating life. 

My daughter is currently beside me - and says my aesthetic is Paris Chic - and I love that. Lots of neutrals, flowers everywhere, and even on Oprah I was famous for silk ribbons and bows galore. We wrapped all of Miss Winfrey's gifts for years - and if a gift was to be given to Miss Winfrey from someone - we wrapped those too. My husband still talks about Larry King calling and asking for our help. How great of a dream job is this?

DL: Well, everything is beautiful on Nantucket. Just yesterday I had my very first Nantucket snow, and I almost wept with happiness. See Instagram for all the magical views - it was almost unreal - a real life snowglobe. The island is so quiet and cozy in winter - it really silences - which is incredibly peaceful.

DL: The Festival of Trees at The Whaling Museum is really gorgeous - and so creative - with 100 Christmas trees decorated by artists, community groups, small businesses and more.  Our tree this year is Lobster Party - it's pink and red and fun!

Notch Bar in The Brotherhood is a favorite spot for dinner.  It feels very British pub, which I love from studying in London. Get the chicken tikka nachos, the boom boom shrimp, and the roasted salmon with sweet potatoes. It's the perfect winter supper. 

The Bluff Walk in Sconset is absolutely beautiful even in winter - and always fun to spy the seals popping up in the ocean. It gives new meaning to "all is calm" - as it's so extra quiet.

DL: The Holiday House Tour was open for Nantucket Christmas Stroll weekend, with 7 houses and 4 churches up and down Main, Orange, Centre and Lily Streets. It's been running for 40 years, and together with your team's help we just raised $60,000 for Nantucket Public Schools.

DL: Our 1700s Main Street captain's home is such a charming home - with the big central fireplace and incredible mantles and historic details. Lucky for us it has lots of large windows and natural light - which we accented with flickering window candles on all floors. The wintery window candles are one of my must haves every holiday season. I remember always being in charge as a young girl of plugging in each window candle every single evening - they bring me so much nostalgia and tradition. We pulled the holiday color palettes from each room's specific paint colors, upholstery and decor - and started the design room by room in October.

DL: I love Christmas - and Christmas trees - and the house had three living room spaces that really each begged for their own tree. The rattan tree was such a stunner - especially as I prefer neutral colors to the reds and greens many people prefer. We just loved the bells, the soft coastal blue hues, the nutcrackers, the train full of blue and white toile wrapped gifts, the sleigh full of ornaments, the velvet stockings! My goodness it's all so cheerful and chic. My mom and dad worked alongside me for weeks decoupaging oyster shells (my next door neighbor is Pocomo Meadows Oysters - we are obsessed) with blue and white toile and Nantucket maps to create handmade ornaments. 

The tinsel tree was so classic - they really take you back to vintage holidays. The library is the darkest room in the house - so the tinsel really came alive and just glowed. We paired a metallic gold wrapping paper with silver ribbons under the tree, continuing the metals. And the seafoam green velvet Cailini stockings paired perfectly with the metallics - the fabric is so soft and delicious.

Last, the pearl tree - my gosh - was this fun. My mom made pearl bow ornaments - in all different sizes - which added layers to the 100s of yards of pearl strings in all sizes draped around the tree.

DL: Your collection is so easy to design with. The products are so well made, and all arrived wrapped and boxed so carefully. I loved the teeny tiny seashell in the Cailini thank you card. The rattan collection really speaks for itself - the colors are so gorgeous - the weight and heft of the sleigh and train and stocking hangers are really impressive. Most of all I cannot wait to use the pieces over and over again - we already have plans for them next year in our Festival of Trees display.

DL: I'm all about creating focal points - down the table - around the tree - up the staircase. I like to lean into the architecture and highlight it with green garlands, gorgeous silk ribbons and bows with long flowy tails down to the floor. Lots of neutral flowers in whites, creams and greens with hints of fresh pine, and always - always dozens of flickering candles.

DL: To be honest, everything means too much to me - I am the great sentimenalist. My grandmother's Flying Cloud china graces the Holiday House dining table and our own table, as does our wedding china - Nantucket Basket by Wedgewood, which was created here on Nantucket. My husband has a tabletop tree covered in scrimshaw ornaments, all carved by our cherished late family friend Nancy Chase. 

For more of Debi's colorful life on Nantucket and beyond, be sure to follow her on Instagram and visit DebiLilly.com.