LOVELY ON LYON

Lyon Street is one of those quaint, narrow lanes in the Old Historic District of Nantucket that presents a surprise around every corner. One such surprise is the home at 14 Lyon Street. Built in 1925 and renovated in the mid 1990s, this adorable home exudes charm from the minute you approach it. The facade features several rows of scalloped cedar shingles. The front fence curves gently. And the windows facing this quiet street all sport window boxes - even on the second story - allowing for more pleasing accents of color and greenery.

There are two ways to enter this home. One way is to follow the brick driveway to the right of the home which leads to a vine-covered arbor and a lovely, winding pathway to the back door where one enters the kitchen. (There's a strategically place stacked washer and dryer just inside the door, in case anyone attempts to bring dirt from the outside into the house).

The second form of entry is the front entryway which is sheltered by a small covered porch supported by two narrow white columns. Its robin's-egg-blue front door features a friendly oval window. Step inside and you find yourself in a dramatic and sunny foyer bathed in light from three oversized west-facing windows. Straight ahead is the most important room in nearly any home, the kitchen.

This kitchen is particularly cozy and inviting. There's just enough room for a free-standing island here, but it is optional as there is ample prep and cooking space available. In one corner of the kitchen, flanked by two windows which receive excellent light, is a welcoming, cushioned window seat (add a small table and it's a breakfast nook for two or three). The cabinets here are a bright white beadboard and the countertops are hard maple butcher's block, except for one area which is a slab of cool, polished marble, ideal for pastry making. (It's easy to see that this is the home of an avid and ardent cook.) The side-by-side fridge is also clad in white bead board and the white porcelain sink is deep and wide. Above the range is a three-seat breakfast bar, and opposite that, you'll find a handy half-bath.

Next on our tour, adjacent to the kitchen space, is the formal dining area. This space receives its light from a pair of wide French doors which lead to a secret deck - ideal for barbecues and outdoor dining - and a surprisingly big backyard for this neighborhood.

A few more steps and you arrive in the living room which features several custom built-in shelves as well as a wonderful fireplace accented by square Belgian block. Continue your counterclockwise tour and you've come full circle to the front entryway.

In the center of the house is a dramatic white staircase with thick, chunky square balusters. As you climb it, the color scheme changes from sunny yellow to a more subdued blue. To your right is a stained glass transom window which filters the sunlight and adds to the calming effect.

The master bedroom suite features a private bath with a tub/shower. Here you'll also note the cathedral ceilings and a trio of windows - the center window slightly taller than the other two which underscores the lofty effect of the high ceilings. The other two cozy bedrooms here share a full bath which features a tub/shower combo.

This lovely and inviting three-bedroom, twoand one-half-bath home in the old historic district is offered at $1,495,000.