This stunning modernized farmhouse retreat was designed by Whitten Architects, located on a 36-acre coastal property overlooking Cape Elizabeth in Scarborough, Maine. This property is ideally situated just 20 minutes south from downtown Portland. The family of four wanted to be not too far from the airport so they could do quick weekend or summer getaways from their primary home in New York. They also have extended family that lives nearby, so their home would need to be equipped to host overnight guests.
Project Team: Architect: Whitten Architects / General Contractor: Wright-Ryan Homes / Landscape Architect: Richardson & Associates / Interior Designer: Cole Design and Whitten Architects / Lighting Design: Greg Day Lighting / Structural Engineer: Albert Putnam Associates
Once an expansive saltwater farm, the fields were cleared long ago for cultivation and now boasts sweeping views of the rocky shoreline, distant islands, and a vast horizon. Although the property was magnificent, the 1970s home that resided on it was unremarkable. A decision to tear down the house and rebuild from scratch provided the family with a new home that felt “uniquely Maine”. The goal for this project was to provide plenty of space for entertaining family and friends. The architectural layout would open up to the landscape and not impede on the homeowner’s ability to thoroughly enjoy the outdoors.
Before building on the property, the architect surveyed the topography on how to best site the home to take advantage of the views and preserve the character of the site. In the end, the architect decided to construct the home at the edge of the old farm’s fields. Upon approach, the boomerang-shaped design of this home intentionally helps to not overwhelm the visitor, instead focusing attention on the surrounding beauty. The single-story layout is spread out over 4,575 square feet, broken out into separate yet connected structures to diminish the overall scale and allow the landscape to flow through and around the dwelling.
What We Love: This modernized farmhouse is giving us serious house envy, it’s absolutely gorgeous! The living area, with its beamed ceiling and windows on both sides, is breathtaking. Beautiful see-through views from the sheltered courtyard… And the reading lofts/nooks in the bedrooms are genius. Overall the architecture is simply magnificent and the views make the entire house radiate… Readers, please share with us what you think of this New England getaway in the Comments below!
Note: Have a look at another home tour that we have featured here on One Kindesign from the portfolio of Whitten Architects: Dreamy seaside getaway on a small island off the coast of Maine.
Above: A spacious great room features a living/dining/kitchen area with large lift-n-slide doors glass doors on either side for cross-ventilation. Additionally this allows the blurring of boundaries between indoors and out. Vaulted Douglas fir ceilings adds a feeling of spaciousness and added warmth. This space is 20′ wide x 50′ long. The staircase on the left leads up to a mudroom.
Above: The kitchen island features white oak plank countertops. The custom cabinets are also white oak, while the perimeter countertops are soapstone. The wood wall boarding is called “Nickel-Gap”. A custom milled, square edge, tongue-and-groove board that when installed leaves a gap between each board that is about the width of a nickel. The wood species is Poplar. The material is custom painted with one coat before install and one coat after install.
Above: The rug is the “Ario” from Angela Adams in Portland, Maine. The coffee table is also from Angela Adams.
Above: Through one side of the sliding glass doors by Duratherm Window Corporation, is access to a protected courtyard. When the doors are open, the homeowners can use rolling screen doors to keep out the bugs and critters. The flooring is called “Oak Hill – Large Flagging Slabs”, available in Maine from JC Stone. The chairs are the “Vista II Adirondack Chairs” from Crate & Barrel. To the right, a glass-enclosed walkway leads to four bedrooms, each having their own door that offers access to a ocean-facing porch. There are also three full bathrooms.
Above: This cozy outdoor courtyard is surrounded by native pitch pine trees and blueberry bushes. The exterior paint color is Cabot’s “Nantucket White”.
Above: The living room’s fireplace hearth features native Maine stone along with custom fabricated metal and glass doors. The flooring is 12 x 24 “Jet Mist” granite tiles. “Jet Mist” is also sometimes called “Virginia Mist”. The television is concealed from view, set on a rolling cart against the wall. They bring it out to watch movies. The door on the right leads to the screened porch. Sources: The lamps are from Cerno and the sofas are from Room and Board.
Above: A close-up detail of the fireplace shows a local fieldstone and forged steel fireplace surround by a local blacksmith. The cantilevered hearth is cast-in-place concrete.
Above: The screened porch is the homeowner’s favorite spot in the home. Here, they can enjoy serene ocean views, curl up with a good book or enjoy a leisurely meal. There is also a stone clad fireplace for the cooler weather. The fireplace is dual-sided, connecting the indoor and outdoor living spaces.
Above: Just outside the screened porch is a waterfront patio with an integrated fire pit. The family enjoys spending cozy nights here roasting marshmallows and stargazing.
Above: Each of the boys bedrooms features a treehouse-like loft that is nestled into a dormer window with a view of the ocean.
Above: The two kid’s bedrooms share this bathroom that has a door that provides access to an oceanfront patio.
Above: The slatted wall was designed to serve as the “headboard” / feature wall of the bedroom. It divides the master bathroom, closet, stair to a loft, and the loft from the bedroom. It is made up of CVG Douglas Fir framing and slats that are equally spaced. The architects wanted to create some spacial division, but also did not want to block light that filters in from the windows in the dormer / loft above. The loft is used as a cozy nook for the owners to read or work. This space also has the added bonus of tranquil ocean views. The flooring in this space is roasted red birch from A.E. Sampson and Son.
Above: The master bathroom shower floor is slate tile. Local Maine granite was used for the rest of the bathroom flooring.
Above: Seperate guest quarters encompasses a bedroom, bathroom, and sitting room with a gas stove and three built-in bunks. This space is located above the car barn.
Above: The overall feel of this home is like a rambling seaside camp, whose design allows for 180-degree views of the ocean while also providing shelter from the afternoon winds.
Photos: Trent Bell Photography
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