PROPERTY PROFILE Sanford Real Estate $4,200,000
Living History on Union

                Far from strife
            Of our worldly life
Lies the isle that our summer knew
            By each sandy cape
            Her summer shape
    Is swung o'er the ocean blue

        Like a mirage bright
        To our longing sight
  Illumed by sun's last beams
        Under glowing skies 
          The gray town lies
Wrapped in its old-time dreams

    This realm of dream
      The sunlight seams
To fall with chastened glow
    And they who dwell
    'Neath its magic spell
  Dream ever of long ago.
This poem by famed Nantucket postcard photographer and writer, Henry S. Wyer, currently graces the foyer and stairway wall of the historic William Coffin House at 32 Union Street. Hand painted in an evocative script, this verse sets the stage for what proves to be one of the most unique and stunning properties on the market today.

This stately, 1786 gambrel-style home is one of the first of its kind on the island. It is known as the William Coffin House for its original owner. Lovingly and painstakingly restored and renovated in 1997, this home is more than a relic of days past. It is a wonderfully livable space, with every possible amenity considered and added.

As one enters through the front doorway, the first thing that strikes the visitor is the earthy color scheme. The subtle shades and hand-stenciled floors ads a richness and vibrancy to the space. To the left is a small study or home office with a large, attractive custom built-in credenza and bookshelves. To the right, is the formal parlor/ sitting room decorated in Victorian era furnishings and wall coverings. Here, a wide fireplace, custom raised panels and wainscoting ad to a distinct air of refinement and sophistication.

Further down the central hallway, one finds the primary meeting spot within the home - the amazing and breathtaking kitchen/family room. The centerpiece of this spectacular kitchen is a long island made from antique reclaimed pine. The countertops are stainless steel, with wood trim to match the rest of the custom-made cabinetry (All of the cabinetry within the home has been milled and constructed by island master craftsmen and represents some of the finest examples of a cabinetmaker's art).

The appliance in this kitchen are restaurant-grade stainless steel. No expense, apparently, has been spared to turn this room into an avid cook's dream.

Beyond the kitchen through a pair of wide French doors is a newly added enclosed mahogany back porch which, in the summertime, becomes an open-air living room. The entire space can be enclosed with heavy canvas curtains and features weatherproof cable TV, telephone and power connections. The surrounding gardens are lush and green in season, and feature a small wading pool for children and a wonderful raised koi pond.

The second floor of this amazing home features four bedrooms. Two gracious guest rooms share a bath with a glass-enclosed shower and a hammered copper wash basin. Two other guest suites have their own baths with showers. The landing area off of the stairway includes a hidden and handy laundry facility.

The third floor, however, is the show-stopper. This amazingly open and airy room was once a dark attic, but has been completely renovated to become a sensuous, bright and exceedingly luxurious master suite. The space, which owes it's lofty sensibilities to the wide gambrel roof shape, features a large sitting area with a wet bar to one side and a TV area on the opposite side. In the center, built around the large brick chimney, are a number of massive closets that provide more storage than most people could possibly need. His and hers bathrooms, with an ingenious, open floor plan, flank this massive suite. One features a soaking tub and a shower, while the smaller of the two features a shower and a wonderful, spacious dressing area. Both baths include a water closet, sinks and ample custom cabinetry.

Aships ladder staircase, which is a custom scale-reproduction of a stairway found in an antique dollhouse sold in a Main Street antiques dealership leads to the home's spacious roof deck which offers up spectacular panoramic views of the harbor and beyond.

This historic, 5-bedroom, 5-1/2-bath one-of-a-kind home is offered at $4,200,000.