PROPERTY PROFILE
Chatfield-Taylor Real Estate $2,185,000
Gorgeous Greek Revival
Achieving balance in life is something we all strive for. And the same can be said for many historic homes on Nantucket. While it is laudable to maintain a historic home exactly the way it was when it was built, there is also a need for some modern creature comforts and conveniences. After all, a home is to be lived in.

Happily, the home at 68 Union Street strikes the perfect balance between old and new, historic and modern, preserved and livable.

This beautifully maintained Greek revival was originally built in the 1840s. It underwent an extensive renovation in 1999 which included modern heating, plumbing and electrical throughout. Inside and out, it continues to bear the markings of a true Greek revival - turned-in roof details to suggest the form of a pediment, corner boards, thick white columns "holding up" the roof and interior trim details which echo classic Greek architectural forms. The overall feeling of this home is one of solidity and permanence.

The location at 68 Union Street could not be more perfect. It is within walking distance of downtown, the waterfront and Consue Spring. In fact, your vehicle may stay in its off-street parking space for days without being called upon.

Step into the front foyer and you'll see many of the features found in Nantucket's finer historic homes: original floorboards, expertly maintained and showing the warm glow and patina of history; gentle scrollwork on the main stairway's riser ends and, a dramatic, hand-turned newel post anchoring the stairs. There's a sitting room/parlor directly off the foyer to the left which features a fireplace and direct sunlight in the afternoon.

Venturing further down the main hallway, you'll find yourself in a cozy sitting room with a large, built-in white armoire which could camouflage a sizeable entertainment center. To the right, is another small room ideal for use as an office or a spare guest bedroom.

A few steps further and you'll come to the large and airy kitchen. This room is the ideal family gathering spot thanks to a long farmer's table and the inviting brick fireplace surrounded by federalstyle raised panels and a dramatic and wide mantelpiece. The food preparation area itself is a cook's dream. It features a four-burner, restaurant grade, stainless range and countertops of polished, earthy, Italian granite. The cabinets and woodwork are finished in a rich colonial blue, accented by oversized brushed nickel hardware.

The kitchen also features direct access to a large, sunny deck via a pair of French doors, which means that, in the warmer months, the kitchen, for all intents and purposes, doubles in size.

Climbing the handy, back stairway from the kitchen brings you to the master suite. Here you'll find another fireplace, as well as a private balcony overlooking the expertly manicured back yard and several different species of ornamental trees. The bedroom features plenty of storage and a divided bathroom with sink and inset soaking tub on one side and commode and sink on the other - an ingenious use of the space (It's no coincidence, as the home's current owner is also one of the island's most prolific architects.) Two other large and sunny bedrooms on the second floor feature glossy painted floors and share a full bath which incorporates a washer and dryer. The front bedroom, overlooking Union Street, has its own cozy fireplace.

Also on the property is a classic Nantucket-style cottage with a large, open first floor room and adjoining kitchen and two bedrooms. Apair of barn doors opens onto a wonderful lawn shaded by a large weeping willow. Expansion possibilities abound.

This stately, four bedroom, two-and-one-half bath historic Greek revival home, with a recently built, two bedroom guest cottage is offered at

$2,185,000. I