Whales Pod

For more than 60 years, the cottage was the site of countless summer memories, although as the homeowners looked to the future, the home required re-imagination to fit their changing needs. Their wish list included a home that functioned as well for hosting a crowd as it did for times when it was just the two of them, with inviting spaces to showcase their art and antique collection and capture the property’s expansive water views.

Taking a collaborative approach, Knickerbocker Group created a welcoming aesthetic, melding old and new to design a traditional-style residence that felt aligned with its coastal setting. “We went out into the middle of the bay, took photos of the house, and then superimposed pictures of the model to make sure they were comfortable with the elevation,” explained Randy Smith, the project’s lead designer.

With the couple’s art collection in mind, special attention was given throughout the design process to ensure ample wall space and lighting were available throughout the home. The formal living room’s mahogany millwork and coffered ceilings lend to showcasing much of the homeowner’s nautical artwork, as well as antique rugs and furniture. The room feels as if you are stepping back in time.

Arguably the heart of any home, the homeowners had very specific ideas for the kitchen design. The oversized island offers ample space for preparations, while the room’s open layout allows the couple to feel connected to adjacent spaces. Crisp white cabinets were paired with a soft blue island to add contrast and dimension. The kitchen opens to the dining room, which features a curved wall of windows overlooking coastal Maine.

A casual sunroom features softer tones and a custom-designed retractable partition that thoughtfully conceals the television with a prized painting. The three-season room serves as another gathering spot fit for any season, with folding doors and windows that can be opened in warmer months along with a large stone fireplace that creates a cozy refuge in cooler weather.

As a nod to the home’s heritage, rhododendrons planted by the homeowner’s father were carefully uprooted, transported to a temporary garden, and replanted amongst the new landscape.

The new home also blends with the original guest house on the property—a small cabin named “The Popover” by the husband’s father, who built it as a place for his “Pop” to stay over and now serves as overflow space for the couple’s three grown children. These touches from the past ensure that the home’s history is firmly rooted in its future.