Shingle Style on the Maine Coast

A home in southern Maine includes various sitting areas, like this informal space near the game room and kitchen. A pair of chairs from Made Goods sit opposite a custom sofa.

In the formal living area, interior designer Annie Talmage redid the fireplace, replacing the mantel and adding a new surround of marble herringbone tiles; she also repainted the dark built-ins, using Benjamin Moore At Sea as an accent. A bird painting from the owners’ collection inspired the palette for the room.

Talmage reworked what was a dark entry off the garage, painting the walls and stair railing white and refinishing the treads; the artwork is by Jeff Carson.

The new kitchen is clean and bright, with white cabinetry and Eternal Statuario Silestone countertops, while woven Palecek barstools add texture and warmth.

Cole & Son’s Acquario wallcovering makes for a whimsical powder room.

The adjacent breakfast area features a custom banquette with pillows from Walter G and a Made Goods table.

Floral wallpaper from Caitlin Wilson makes an impact in a guest room.

Benjamin Moore Symphony Blue serves as an accent in the bunk room, which contains a sitting area complete with an Essentials for Living sofa, ottomans from Nantucket Gyotaku Designs, a cocktail table and chair from Universal, and a rug from Jaipur Living.

The primary bedroom features a bed from Somerset Bay Home, chairs from Lexington Home Brands, ottomans from Vanguard Furniture, and artwork by Ellen Welch Granter.

The adjoining bath is sheathed in a vinyl Belgium linen wallcovering from Thibaut, and a Made Goods light fixture hangs above a tub from Barclay.

When interior designer Annie Talmage first saw this four-bedroom Shingle-style residence on the southern Maine coast, it was essentially a time capsule from the 1990s. And while ’90s fashion is seeing a major resurgence right now, the era’s dark palette and dated finishes present in this home didn’t hold quite the same nostalgic allure.

“Nothing had been done to the house since it was built,” explains Talmage, who was tapped by the clients to reimagine the space and transform it into a “bright and happy” oceanfront getaway for their family.

Talmage tackled the renovation—which included gutting the kitchen and all six baths as well as removing a wall between the kitchen and family room—with the help of Bowley Builders. Changing out all the original finishes in favor of lighter tones that are more in keeping with the property’s waterfront locale was top priority. Now, white-oak flooring, white cabinetry, and natural stone—including dolomite countertops in the kitchen—keep things “feeling airy and draw your eye out to the ocean,” notes the designer. In addition to soft whites and washed woods, Talmage incorporated woven window treatments, grasscloth wallpapers, and contemporary and custom furnishings that add texture and warmth, as well as punches of coastal-inspired hues here and there. “There are neutral layers with some colorful textiles and accessories inspired by the changing sky and water tones, sunset, and sunrise,” says Talmage, pointing out the various aqua, deep blue, and coral pops found throughout. “We were going for a fun and comfortable elevated coastal style.”

And the most fun room in the home might be a powder room featuring a whimsical fish-pattern wallpaper from Cole & Son. Complete with a rope mirror, vintage-style brass sconces, and shiplap paneling, the petite space is an elegant nod to its stunning seaside location.

In addition to nature, the overall palette also references the clients’ art collection. “The couple had a few key pieces they wanted to incorporate, and then we worked together to build the collection, selecting works primarily by Maine artists,” says Talmage.

The sandy and watery hues lend a sense of calm and cohesiveness to the main gathering areas, which include a formal sitting room, a sunroom, a family room, and a game room. Says Talmage, “Each space has its own personality, but they all flow together.”

Project Team
Interior design: Saltwater Home
Renovation builder: Bowley Builders
Landscape design: Terrapin Landscapes