Home on the Coast: Basque In the Sun

After spending childhood summers on nearby Capitol Island, a Knickerbocker Group client was looking for a quaint rustic cottage by the sea within one of the Boothbay Harbor area’s summer colonies. As soon as she saw this bright red little cottage, she knew it was the one.

When purchased, the cottage lacked a proper entry, was dark inside without a lot of natural light, and had a tiny kitchen that was hidden from the living area. A modest addition created a bright and sunny kitchen. Natural woodwork selected to maintain the original style offers a striking contrast with the white custom cabinetry.

A kitchen island, just off the new entry to the living room, is carefully married to the custom stone fireplace. A large monolithic piece of granite acts as a cornerstone between these two spaces. A stone pops out to create a shelf; another is set in as a display niche. The fireplace becomes a second focal point in the living area, competing only with the water views. Two stones were hand-carved for the owners, who have special ties to both Maine and Georgia.

In addition to a new foundation, wiring, plumbing, new roof and siding, Knickerbocker Group crews gave the entire house fresh coats of paint or varnish. The owners’ decorating style perfectly complements the old Maine cottage: a rustic bureau with crystal knobs (recovered from an original built-in), a rattan and metal basket turned light shade.

With the restoration work complete, relaxed cottage living begins — collecting treasures on the beach, reading in the hammock, drinks on the porch, evenings around the fireplace, “basqueing in the sun.”