This Tiny Maine Cottage Is the Epitome of New England Charm
This modest but design-savvy beach home proves that less is more.
When you're always armed with a tape measure, you develop an eye for what will—and, more importantly, what will not—fit a tight space. At least that's true for Alison and Michael Brewer, co-owners of Gray Wade Design & Development, a design-build firm in Charleston, South Carolina. After years of vacationing in Southwest Harbor, Maine, the couple put that discerning eye to the test when they bought their own modest fixer-upper.
Because the town is located on a 100-square-mile island accessible via bridge and causeway, renovation and design weren't easy—especially because Michael sourced materials from South Carolina and Alison shopped for furnishings online. "We really had to think about measurement because returning things is such an ordeal," Alison says. In the end, the couple maximized every inch of the 1,200-square-foot cottage. "It's rewarding to find out what you really need and what you don't," says Michael. It's safe to assume the tape measure made the cut.
Entry
What's hiding in that chest? Bedding! An antiquing score from southern Maine, the chest serves as a makeshift linen closet.
Living Room
The Brewers liked the idea of mixing rattan with upholstered items for a collected, eclectic look. "We wanted it to look like we could have inherited a lot of what was in the room—even the newer things," Michael says. Alison knew she wanted a tufted, Chesterfield-style sofa, and this one fit perfectly between the French doors.
Work Space
Because there's no central heat, the Brewers added a granite fireplace in the office/living room for a handsome source of warmth. Around the hearth, reclaimed barnwood serves as the perfect spot for a flamingo painting on unstretched canvas, hung in homage to Southwest Harbor's annual Flamingo Festival. A white Bertoia chair adds a sleek, space-saving element to the desk setup.
Kitchen
In a space-starved kitchen, it's tempting to go the all-white route, but the Brewers instead (thankfully!) opted for a layered mix of materials, including reclaimed South Carolina barnwood (the cabinets and shelves), galvanized metal (the countertops), soapstone (the sink), and even unlacquered brass (the hardware). The best thing about the materials, says Michael, is that "nothing is too precious. Everything about the kitchen—and the house, really—is designed to take wear and tear. The more wear, the better it will look."
RELATED: 100 Best Kitchen Decor Ideas to Create the Most Welcoming Space in Your Home
Breakfast Nook
With the kitchen's narrow layout, there wasn't room for a breakfast table and a prep island, so the Brewers drew up a plan in the form of an antique drafting table. When it's not used as a work space, it's a particularly cozy gathering spot, thanks to custom-made cowhide-covered stools. Alison hung the papier mâché deer and bird as an ode to the "kitschy part of Maine."
Dining Room
Once a closet, the dining nook features a custom charcoal hue on the walls and a space-maximizing built-in window seat. Around the rest of the table, Lucite Danish-style chairs provide ample seating without eating up visual space. With so many windows, the Brewers hang artwork, such as the painting of a barn, in unexpected places.
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Screened Porch
Positioned just off the living room, this addition provides an extra 250 square feet of communal space. "We just open the French doors, and it feels like we've got another room," Michael says. A white-washed daybed is the perfect napping spot, and a 36-inch-wide bench (an Etsy find) makes for a sleek alternative to a coffee table.
Primary Bedroom
In a textbook example of "make the most of what you have," the Brewers converted a storage unit already on the property into the ultimate he-and-she-shed. Now attached to the main house, the cozy quarters accommodate a queen-size bed flanked by custom floating bedside tables. Petite lamps and a homemade single-bulb pendant provide ample light without bulk, and a custom lumbar pillow made from Indian textiles helps the room feel a bit wider.
BIG IDEA: Use architectural interest—here, wood beams—to draw the eye up. This handsome duo was crafted using leftover pine from the floors.
Girls' Room
Built-in bunk beds in the daughters' shared room reinforce the home's understated rustic vibe. The simple, streamlined bunks and ladder, for example, balance the reclaimed driftwood railing and dresser made from old barnwood. A citrine dhurrie provides a sunny pop of color on even the cloudiest of days. The girls take an active role when it comes to decor. "At flea markets, we like to give them $10 and see who comes back with the best treasure," Alison says.
Guest Room
Yes, the room is small (just 10 feet wide!), but what it lacks in square footage it more than makes up for in views. (It overlooks the scenic backyard filled with birch and spruce trees.) The tiny table—just big enough to accommodate a bud vase, cell phone, or coffee cup!—was a gift from Michael's aunt. "It's from Manset Little Farm, a nearby store known for its whoopie pies, but they also showcase local artisans," he says.
RELATED: 100+ Bedroom Decorating Ideas to Suit Every Style
Meet the Brewers
Michael, Alison, Grayson, and Mary Wade sit on the front steps.
Get the Look:
Front Door Paint Color: for similar, Rosemary Green by Benjamin Moore
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