Living With Art

Spaces created by Maine architects, builders, and designers are perfectly paired with Maine art

“The elements of this main entryway, with its floor-to-ceiling glass and floating stair, are reflected in the linear composition of Dale Roberts’s streetscape. The tones of the piece also echo the colors of the space, adding interest and depth to the shiplap wall without distracting from the dramatic design.”

—Kevin Browne, Kevin Browne Architecture

Architect: Kevin Browne Architecture
Art: Behind and Away, Dale Roberts, encaustic on panel, 44” x 36”, Portland Art Gallery
Builder & Interior Designer: Skymore Company
Bench: Article
Wall Hooks: Rejuvenation
Windows & Doors: Marvin

“Whenever we use a clear finish instead of paint, it seems there is more scrutiny of the woodwork. Knowing that open shelving can be used functionally rather than just decoratively, we decided that vertical solid ash boards for the back would allow this cabinet to stand out on its own.”

—Rick Sawyer, Blue Hill Cabinet & Woodwork

Architect: Elliott Architects
Art: (on countertop) Wafting Fish, Rebekah Raye, carved mahogany, 15.5” x 20” x 8”; (on shelf, from top) Version 6 and Radishes, Beth Richey, oil on board, 8” x 8”, Artemis Gallery
Builder: MK Purvis Construction
Interior Designer: Blue Hill Cabinet & Woodwork

“I think the definition of a Maine camp is constantly evolving. While we love the rustic log camps that are traditional in our area, we have an appreciation for the ‘modern camp,’ which takes the concept of the classic Maine camp and adds colorful cabinetry, art, and beautiful lighting—truly a place you never want to leave.”

—Jill Gordon, Rangeley Building & Remodeling

Architectural Designer, Interior Designer & Builder: Rangeley Building & Remodeling
Art: On a Hot Summer’s Day, 2023, Mary Lynn Burke, acrylic on canvas, 39” x 39” x 1.5”, Portland Art Gallery
Cabinetry: Vining’s Custom Cabinets
Fixtures: Delta Faucet
Furniture & Accessories: Bar stools, Anthropologie Home; demilune table, vintage from Facebook Marketplace
Lighting: Sconces, Birch Lane; kitchen ceiling mount, Lamps Plus
Windows & Doors: Andersen Windows & Doors

“Striking iconic art and sculptural furniture contrasts the huge south-facing window overlooking the Maine woods. The clean modern aesthetic is warmed by a 1950s antique elliptical walnut coffee table with chrome legs and the antique Heriz rug underfoot.”

—Sarah Duquette, Duquette & Company

Architect & Builder: Acorn Deck House Company
Art: (from left) Vogue September 1968 and Charade, both by Maria Laura Ribeiro, mixed media (collage, acrylic, and diamond dust) on canvas, 48” x 36”, KW Contemporary Art
Interior Designer: Duquette & Company
Sofa & Chairs: Kravet
Windows & Doors: Andersen Windows & Doors

“Walking into this space you immediately feel lighter and happier. This French country-influenced design was a home run, with natural marble counters, a slate floor, and stunning Grabill inset cabinetry.”

—Kim Connell, Arcadia Kitchen & Bath

Art: Old Soldier, Jean Jack, oil on canvas, 30” x 36”, Portland Art Gallery
Backsplash: TileBar; D. Todd & Company (custom rooster design)
Builder & Interior Designer: Arcadia Kitchen & Bath
Design Lead: Caitlin Tucker
Cabinetry: Grabill Cabinets (lower cabinets custom-painted Lulworth Blue by Farrow & Ball)
Fixtures: House of Rohl
Floors: Belknap White Group

“Serenity by the sea—this stone gazing bench is woven into the landscape, offering a magical perch for peaceful moments of reflection.”

—Ted Carter, Ted Carter Inspired Landscapes

Art: Heartstone Bouquet, Dick Alden, granite and solid brass, 41” x 18” x 15”, Portland Art Gallery
Landscape Design & Installation: Ted Carter Inspired Landscapes
Ornamental Grass: Festuca Ovina ‘Elijah Blue’
Stone: Mystic Mountain, quarried in Maine

“This new Kennebunkport residence demonstrates a thoughtful palette of materials including hemlock columns, steel beams, and a glass stair railing. With Jane Dahmen’s River Landscape illuminating the central living space, we are reminded of the vibrant whimsy of Maine’s scenery that resides just outside the doors.”

—Emma Van Wickler, Mobile Studio Design

Architect & Interior Designer: Mobile Studio Design
Art: (in stairway) Pounce, Bibby Gignilliat, mixed media on panel, 24” x 24”; (over sideboard/media stand) River Landscape, Jane Dahmen, acrylic on panel, 60” x 60”; both Portland Art Gallery
Builder: Building Concepts Maine
Casework: All American Woodworks
Chairs & Coffee Table: Simply Home
Chandelier: West Elm
Rug: Bradford’s Rug Gallery
Sideboard/Media Stand: Chilton
Stair Enclosure: The Glass Guy
Stair Railing: Nelson Metal Fabrication

“In this shingle-style cottage overlooking a popular Boothbay waterway, I brought a vintage vibe to the interiors with a timeless fieldstone fireplace, green painted wood floors, and Douglas Fir ceilings stained to appear as though they have been there for generations. Custom-painted mahogany wooden screen doors bring the outdoors in and offer a familiar summertime sound when they close. Period chairs and fabrics support the theme and create a warm and inviting living space. It truly feels as though this cottage has been here for more than 100 years and brought back to life for a family to enjoy.”

—Michelle Phelps, Phelps Architects

Architect & Fireplace Designer: Phelps Architects
Art: Sunshine in the Lee, Jill Hoy, oil on canvas, 36” x 36”, Portland Art Gallery
Builder: Bruce Laukka, Inc.
Fireplace Installation: Bonin Masonry
Lighting: Visual Comfort & Co.
Windows & Doors: Marvin

“Ted Arnold’s work has been featured at Home Remedies since our opening in 2010. His distinctive and creative pieces are layered with meaning— literally—many of them include sewing patterns, candy wrappers, and other ephemera. Any one of his paintings can spark the design of a room; we often use them as inspiration when planning showroom vignettes. Besides being a gifted artist, Ted was also a talented carpenter who custom made many of the fixtures in the store. We lost Ted last year and miss his wise, calming presence and humor. Thankfully his artwork lives on.”

—Rachel Ambrose, Home Remedies

Art: Bride & Drink Doll, Ted Julian Arnold, oil, encaustic, and collage on panel, 44” x 60”
Interior Design & Furniture: Home Remedies

“For this stand-alone sauna, my client wanted a simple, traditional structure large enough for family and friends to gather. I used various colors of cedar: white for the cedar shakes on the exterior, which complement an existing barn on the property, and inside, various grain cuts of red cedar to add visual interest. The flagstone flooring not only provides textural contrast to the walls, it absorbs heat and feels good on bare feet.”

—Steve Boucher, Steve Boucher, LLC

Art: Eyelet for the Universe, Andreas von Huene, granite, 10.5” x 13.5” x 8.5”, Portland Art Gallery
Designer & Builder: Steve Boucher, LLC
Floors: New England Specialty Stone
Interior & Exterior Wood: White, yellow, and red cedar from Hancock Lumber and Day’s Hardwood
Woodstove: Sauna Wood Stoves by Royale

“The bold geometry of the timber frame serves as both structure and organizational element. This framework provides a stage for diverse activities in the barn, including art studio, office, and home theater. The three-dimensional nature of the exposed timbers transforms 2D plans into dynamic spaces.”

—Peter Anderson, Houses & Barns by John Libby

Architect & Builder: Houses & Barns by John Libby
Lead Architect: Peter Anderson
Art: Outlier 12, Laurie Fisher, oil on linen, 36” x 30”, Portland Art Gallery
Interior Designer: e4 Interior Design
Countertop & Sink: Morningstar Stone & Tile
Custom Cabinetry: Downeast Woodworks
Windows: Pinnacle Window Solutions

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