Along the rocky coast of Maine, a once unwinterized 1910 cottage, admired from afar for more than a decade, has been transformed into a 3,500-square-foot contemporary retreat designed to endure. After slipping away twice, the oceanfront property finally became home to our clients: a place built for retirement, for gathering, and for generations to come.

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Designed by Whitten Architects and completed in 2024 by Bowley Builders, the house honors its setting rather than imposing on it. Expansive floor-to-ceiling windows frame panoramic water views without pushing closer to the shoreline, guided by four principles: respect the coast, maximize views, build to last, and integrate energy efficiency and smart technology from the start.

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The  interiors were shaped as a direct response to the landscape.  Layering blues, greys, greens, and earthy browns with vibrant notes of pink and purple drawn from sea, stone, wildflowers, and evergreens. The result is a home that feels calm, bold, playful, and sexy.  Striking materiality grounds the main living space: native granite, patinated steel, vertical oak detailing, and exposed structural tie rods engineered for coastal resilience. Throughout the home, Maine artisans reinforce a deep sense of place…a sculptural stone and walnut bench graces the entry; custom millwork by Block Brothers throughout; a dramatic glass and nickel chained pendant commands the stairwell reminiscent of a fisherman’s haul from the sea; and a striking “Dark Cake” piece by Cig Harvey adds a gooey sensuality to the bedroom palette of cashmere, suede and white oak. Each detail down to handcrafted hardware and leather accents celebrates local craft.

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Functionality is seamlessly integrated. A hidden butler’s pantry maintains the clean lines of the open kitchen, flexible guest rooms convert from twins to a king, and a cocoon-like media room enveloped in a sophisticated dark lavender adds a playful counterpoint. Designed for aging in place, the single-level living plan incorporates solar panels, EV chargers, heat pumps, radiant floor heating, and whole-home smart systems for comfort in every season.

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What began as a long-held admiration is now a refined coastal sanctuary rooted in place, crafted with intention, and designed not just to capture the view, but to belong to it.