Ocean Cliff

The owner, who is also an interior designer, sought to achieve a contemporary home with a nautical flair and had a clear vision for how to do it. The white plaster walls, white-washed beams, and pale granite stones compliment the owner’s colorful custom furnishings and artwork.

The entry of the contemporary Maine cottage was designed for transparency, to entice guests with the water view beyond. On a site that offers 270-degree views of the shoreline, islands, and open ocean, the water view is a part of every room. The open plan is full of light, with large windows and doors to connect the indoor and outdoor spaces. Multiple seating areas are positioned to take advantage of different views.

For each interior space, there is a companion outdoor space: the living and dining area opens to an entertaining porch; the master suite has a private curved porch cantilevered over the guest room terrace below; a grilling porch is just off the kitchen.

While the main house has a room devoted to guest suites, the separate bunkhouse is all about the grandkids. The owners wanted the bunkhouse to be “rugged” and low maintenance, a rainy-day place for movies or board games, large enough for entertaining visiting friends—a private play space the kids can call their own.

The cathedral ceiling and open plan make the space feel larger than it is. Built-ins along perimeter walls provide custom daybeds and storage for housing bedding, games, and media. A small kitchenette divides the room to create a private bunk space for four.