We’ll start with the dining room. In a lot of homes, the dining room is sort of a special occasion space – an area that’s only used when company’s in town, and there’s something to celebrate. To my way of thinking, that’s kind of a shame. So when I designed this space, I wanted to make sure it could be used for those occasions – but that it would still feel comfortable and accessible enough to use on a regular basis. So, to keep things grounded, we opted for paper-backed burlap wallpaper. The texture is simple and functional, but its rich earth tone is a natural complement to the cast iron and glass chandelier. The ceiling paper picks up on the chandelier’s metallic finish, with hand block printed gold details situated against a soft, sage-green background. The paper’s four-color process feels rich without overwhelming – giving the room a welcoming feel that dresses up easily for formal occasions – and dresses down just as easily for a family meal.

Following on the dining theme, our next stop is the kitchen (pictured at the top of this post). Given the fact that this is likely to be the highest-traffic room in the house, it’s designed to work well – and to feel instantly familiar. We made choices that were intentionally rustic – from the recycled bucket island lights to the reclaimed timbers – that contrast beautifully with the modern appliances that make cooking a pleasure. We also found the perfect use for a pair of reclaimed semicircle windows, which we combined above the sink to form a perfect circle of light. I’ve had the windows for years, and like so many of the pieces I love, it was just a matter of time before they found the perfect home.

Finally, we’ll turn to the entry areas. Like most homes, this one has a main entrance – which is unlikely to see much traffic – and a rear entry that will see the majority of everyday comings and goings.

In the grand foyer, we opted to use three-quarter light doors. Typically, main entry doors are solid. But because of the beauty of natural light, the three-quarter light doors add a whole new dimension to the room. Once inside the door, visitors will notice the distressed oiled oak floors, with a traditional herringbone pattern that adds a touch of sophistication. The entry light is a converted candle lantern that provides warm, usable light after dark. And the salvaged brackets framing the doorways – covered in more detail in my previous post – add another touch of tradition.

The rear entrance is every bit as grand as the front. A second round window is situated to provide a clear view of the outside fireplace – making it a perfect vantage point to see what’s going on outdoors. The back stairs are outfitted with reproduction fence balustrades, to provide a welcome variation to traditional square round balustrades that are more commonly used.

So things are moving along well. And while it’s required a flurry of activity, the results of the hard work are coming together really well. Check back in a couple of weeks. With a little luck – and a lot more hard work – we should be able to show you the finished project.

For the past couple of months, the Nicola’s Homes crew has been making plans into reality on my latest design/build project on 30 Maeve’s Way. For those who aren’t local, Maeve’s Way is a neighborhood named after my daughter, and located a short hop from Casco Bay on the Cumberland Foreside, just north of Portland, Maine. Projects like this are personal favorites, where I get to see my ideas take form, from initial sketches to plans to reality. Granted, it requires a lot of focus, but it’s immensely gratifying when the dust settles, and everything comes together. At this point, 30 Maeve’s Way is already well underway. The exterior and landscaping are largely complete and the interior is taking shape. Over the next several weeks, I’ll share some photos and stories of work in progress, to give you a sense of how things are coming together.

As a designer, I’ve always been drawn to materials that make spaces feel warm and inviting. And few materials provide that warmth more effectively than reclaimed wood and stone. In this first photograph, taken from the kitchen, it’s tough to miss the impact of the antique timbers used for the dual purpose of structure and beauty. From a purely visual standpoint, the beams define the living space, making it feel both warm and familiar. As the process moves forward, I’ll choose furnishings and fixtures that play off the structural aesthetic of the beams to bring the room together.

Like the old barn beams, the fireplace surround is also made of reclaimed material. Crafted of three granite foundation stones from the original house on the property – which we moved and renovated, and now sits at the entrance to Maeve’s Way – the scale of the fireplace anchors the room, and will serve as a natural gathering place for the family that eventually calls it home.

The second photograph shows still more reclaimed materials in the main entrance to the house. From the simple sophistication of the antique leaded-glass interior window to the ornatereclaimed shoulders, these details add a sense of tradition to offset the home’s contemporary, open-space design. By incorporating the shoulders, we’ve broken up doorways that wouldotherwise feel too open, lending a sense of intimacy that helps to make the home feel more familiar and inviting.

To learn more about 30 Maeve’s Way, send me an email. I’d be more than happy to share details about the property, and even to arrange a walk-through. And staytuned. I’ll be sharing more details as the project moves forward.

Gayle showcased my work on her wonderful Vintage Farmhouse blog and it was so well received by her readers – and a wonderful surprise to find while browsing. Thank you, Gayle! And for all you other vintage farmhouse lovers, her blog is a treasure trove of inspiration – and a great read.

Thank you, Erin, and all your wonderful community for your sweet words. To read the entire post, and to spend some time browsing Erin’s other finds on House of Turquoise, click here!

36 Maeve's Way in my custom neighborhood in Cumberland Foreside

Launch a virtual tour of 36 Maeve’s Way.

This weekend Nicola’s Homes will be moving out of 36 Maeve’s Way and a brand-new family will be moving in. This is only the second home I’ve designed and built but never lived in—and yet saying goodbye to this house has made me as sentimental and reflective as any other I’ve ever done.

36 Maeve’s Way is only the second home in my custom neighborhood in Cumberland Foreside, Maine, and the first to be entirely new construction—yet it has all the lived-in, antique warmth of any established Foreside estate. It was a leap of faith in so many ways—facing a faltering real estate market, building in a shoreside community I’ve loved since I was child, testing my team and challenging my own abilities. Although it took longer to sell than we had hoped, this project was worth all we put into it. While Maeve and I never called it home, it’s filled with wonderful memories for me.

An inspired blend of the classic New England Cape and the quintessential English cottage, 36 Maeve’s Way looks cozy from any angle but contains 4500sf of every comfort and luxury a family could want. I imagined this home from the very beginning as a gathering place for family and friends. One of my very favorite details is the peekaboo windows in the second floor bedroom overlooking the exposed beams and stone fireplace of the great room. I can just see little faces up past their bedtimes, peering down at the grown-up party below.

I showed 36 Maeve’s Way fully furnished from the start. My good friend Elizabeth Moss let me select my favorite artworks from her gallery to hang throughout the house, interspersed with photographs of my own family. It became a showcase for my style, and a remote office like none other. We christened the home with a summer’s evening champagne party, a wonderful mix of local neighbors and my dearest friends and family. In fact it was in this gourmet, family style kitchen that I first began talking to Garnet Hill about my textiles line over my mother’s lobster rolls.

This home was featured in Maine Home and Design decked in Christmas finery, a chance to show off its rich textures and warm ambience. As we pack up the furnishings, take down the art and walk through one last time, I am so thrilled for the family about to start their lives here. Remembering how it looked sparkling with fairy lights, wrapped in velvet ribbons, raffia and evergreens, I hope they have as much fun with their holiday celebrations as I did. I hope they know how much care, love and artisanal craft went into each and every detail of this house. I hope from the very beginning, it feels like home.