Explore Quintessential Maine Cottages

This second collection of cottages reflects Maine’s charming atmosphere and architecture.

Author Kathleen Hackett, photographer Maura McEvoy and stylist Basha Burwell continue to visit and document the most quintessential Maine cottages in this sequel to The Maine House.

This lighthouse is artist Jamie Wyeth’s oasis. Here, he can be inspired by his own family’s world-renowned art while also exploring his own passions. Wyeth connects with the beauty of the nature surrounding him. Even when greeted with such a stunning landscape view, he chooses to draw the seagulls.

The Woodlawn House’s guest room pays homage to American heroes. John Fondas and partner John Knott were careful not to diminish any historical features of this well-worn inn. They brought pieces of their own previous houses to make the Woodlawn feel like home. To see more inspiration from the pair, visit their company website quadrillefabrics.com.

As the native Maine authors muse in their introduction to The Maine House II, “This second volume represents a mission, one that aims to illustrate that it is possible, indeed essential, to rescue Maine’s quirky architectural history if we are going to preserve its singular nature, one that goes hand in hand with a reverence for the land.”

Fondas and Knott’s living space brings the coastal culture of Maine indoors with sailing motifs and natural wooden accents. As owners of Quadrille Wallpapers and Fabrics, their keen eye is evident throughout every project.

The painted floor of this Maine cottage’s dining room turns 100 this year! Rather than painting over it or replacing it with an actual rug, this family incorporated the yellow from the floor’s design into the rest of the dining room.

Charming photos of one-of-a-kind cottages frame the stories of their inhabitants. After all, a home is a representation of its owner, from its architectural style to the color of its cabinets.

The reclusive and somewhat legendary Captain John left his hand-built shack to his caretakers, the Dorrs, when he died. Generations of Dorrs have cared for this home—and likely many more will do the same. The Dorrs added onto the shack, now referred to as a camp, in both architecture and knick-knacks. “To walk through the door is to step into a life-size cabinet of curiosities.”

Stylist and co-author Basha Burwell shares her own cozy cottage. Here, she connects with her family and friends, remembering fondly those summers in Maine. And she looks forward to many more, saying of the home, “It draws you in and holds on in a way only family can.”

Each of the stories captured in The Maine House II are unique, yet they all share important themes. A group of bungalows on the waterfront and a lighthouse-turned-home may sound like two starkly different experiences, but both homeowners note the sense of peace that exudes from Maine’s natural landscapes. They both feel the love of the community surrounding them and they share the attitude that they are caretakers of their abodes—not their masters.

Tom and Mary Anne Young embrace the coastal atmosphere of their Maine fixer-upper with whitewashed furniture. However, they use nautical references sparingly in their coastal cottage. The couple decorates with family interests and passions, never trying to fit just one theme.

The Maine House II by Maura McEvoy, Basha Burwell and Kathleen Hackett, published by The Vendome Press, © 2024, vendomepress.com.

The Maine House II reminds us that classic architecture is to be revered, not left to crumble and decay. Browse through these stories about homeowners who would all agree that “falling in love with a house isn’t all that much different from falling in love with a person.” Let Maine inspire you!

If you love seaside cottages, don’t miss Colorful Coastal Cottages and Beach Cottage Homage. Of course, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest to get your daily dose of cottage inspiration!