Whitten Architects designed this contemporary coastal home nestled in the charming town of York, on the southern tip of Maine. Nestled along the ocean’s edge, the property features beautiful oaks and white pines. This dwelling serves as a tranquil retreat while meeting the year-round day-to-day needs of a young, active family.

This site-specific design began by taking advantage of natural light from the south while capturing views of the harbor to the northeast. The family needed independent living spaces for their teenage children, a minimalist but functional kitchen for the owners (including a former chef) who love to cook and entertain, and overall a contemporary space that requires little maintenance or fuss and offers a simple, refined home.

DESIGN DETAILS: ARCHITECT Whitten Architects BUILDER Bowley Builders STRUCTURAL ENGINEER Albert Putnam Associates INTERIOR DESIGNER Heidi Lachapelle Interiors KITCHEN MILLWORK Plain English LANDSCAPE INSTALLATION Terrapin Landscapes MILLWORK Tise Woodwork & Design ARCHITECTURAL LIGHTING & LIGHTING PLAN Reflex Lighting Group

As you enter the house, you walk towards the view of the ocean, which opens up and becomes more dramatic as you progress. The main living wing is flanked by two glassy connectors that separate the public and private spaces. The two-story volume, which includes an office, two bedrooms, and a bathroom, is located to the west, where sunsets can be viewed from both a screened porch and a rooftop deck.

What We Love: This coastal home in Maine serves as a functional and relaxing space with a fabulous connection to the outdoors. A beautiful array of colors, materials, and textures throughout this home were inspired by the homeowner’s world travels. Overall, we love every detail in this home, especially the living room with its warm and welcoming feel and beautifully curated furnishings and accessories.

Tell Us: What details do you find most inspiring in the design of this dwelling? Let us know in the Comments, we enjoy reading your feedback!

Note: Have a look at a couple of other fabulous home tours that we have featured here on One Kindesign in the state of Maine: Beautiful coastal Maine home envisioned for idyllic summer getaways and A historic barn undergoes a remarkable transformation in New England.

The homeonwers, having spent time vacationing in France, wanted a curated feel for their home that featured a mix of old and new, modern and traditional. The interior design by Heidi Lachapelle Interiors hones in on neutral textures, heavyweight linens, browns, greens, and a touch of aubergine.

Materials are textured, organic, and tactile which softens and balances the crisp lines of the architecture. Ultimately, the warm and inviting spaces reflect our clients’ passion for travel, high-quality materials, and attention to detail that brought their “spa-like” vision to life. Bowley Builders’ careful attention to detail and upfront planning of every minimalist reveal made the end result appear effortless. 

Large sliding doors open the living space to the outdoors on two sides, strengthening the home’s direct connection to its natural surroundings.

The kitchen features custom cabinetry created by Plain English and is an exercise in simplicity: a cooktop, small oven, and small refrigerator for fresh, daily ingredients offer all the necessities without the fuss and maintenance of larger appliances. A large island, dining room table, and fireplace are all anchored by limestone flooring. 

The owner’s bedroom and bathroom are located to the east and enjoy views of the pine trees, ledge outcrops, and stone walls that populate the site.

On the exterior, painted vertical poly-ash siding and a metal roof provide durability, with a red cedar pergola to the north. 

PHOTOGRAPHER Trent Bell Photography