It takes a special place to draw New Yorkers away from the city. For Lisa and Howard Salzberg, it was a seaside property in Falmouth that convinced them to take the leap and relocate permanently. They aren’t exactly strangers to Maine, having summered in Maine since the early 1990s, but with a push from the state pandemic (plus some egging on from their teenage son), the Salzbergs recently traded in their apartment for this 5,000-square-foot four-bedroom waterfront residence, originally built in the late nineteenth century and then expanded in 2012. “The house ticked all the boxes, with great bones, breathtaking views of Casco Bay, and proximity to Portland,” says Howard. “As New Yorkers, it’s nice to be able to still enjoy a city vibe when we want to. Maine offers so many opportunities in general, from arts and culture to hiking.”

After snapping up the residence in a mere 24 hours, the Salzbergs wasted no time finding a decorator to help make the property fit their specific needs and taste. The home was a bit dated, but luckily it didn’t require any major structural or layout changes. Upon the recommendation of a friend, the couple tapped interior designer Samantha Pappas, who worked with the Salzbergs to update the house in just a few short months. “The goal was to modernize the place,” says Pappas. “We wanted to bring life into the house and create a fun, happy space. Lisa loves pattern and color, which was music to my ears because I love incorporating both in not-so-obvious ways.”

Because the homeowners were under a time crunch (they were anxious to start enjoying the new house by Memorial Day after purchasing it the prior November), they were careful only to take on manageable projects and salvage what they could, including all the wood flooring. To that end, only the baths were gutted, while some minor cosmetic changes—namely paint and a new backsplash and lighting—were enough to make the existing kitchen sing. “What’s great about Samantha is that she was able to make bold choices that didn’t require us to gut everything,” says Howard. “It’s amazing how much paint, tile, and art can transform a room. She also really thought about our personality, how we entertain, and making the guest rooms comfortable. The level of detail she addressed, down to what image appears on our Samsung Frame television, is what brings everything together.”

In both the living and dining areas, the existing fireplaces were in dire need of a refresh. Dated stone surrounds were traded out in favor of a more contemporary Venetian plaster finish that “reflects the texture and movement that can be seen outside,” says Pappas, who worked with Matt Cotnoir of MasterCraft Carpentry in Falmouth to carry out all the updates, including reworking the electrical, changing out finishes and lighting, and building some custom pieces. According to Lisa, these small tweaks make the rooms look “as different as night and day.” Venetian plaster also appears on the walls of the primary bedroom, where MasterCraft created a scallop-shaped headboard. 

This whimsical scallop shape finds its way into the sunroom off the living area, which is now brighter thanks to new light wood cladding where darker wood paneling had once been. A custom white oak bench—constructed by MasterCraft and featuring a scallop trim—wraps all three walls and provides plenty of seating to enjoy the expansive water vistas. Scallop-patterned throw pillows, a green chair sporting a scalloped back, and a scallop-like wallpaper on the ceiling round out the bright space. “I’ve always loved wallpaper, so I specifically asked Samantha to incorporate it in our house,” says Lisa. “The last thing I wanted was for our home to feel like a hotel.” Wallpaper also pops up in a guest room (a fun wave print), the son’s room (a textural grass cloth), and the powder room (a dark graphic pattern). “The clients didn’t give me a ton of direction on the color palette,” says Pappas. “We did one round of edits in the beginning, and from there, they trusted me to run with the design scheme. I used a lot of neutrals, but with pops of blue, green, and coral. You could say that it’s a coastal-inspired palette, but I tried to do it in a way that feels natural.”  

Beyond the new finishes and furnishings—which are mostly contemporary items, with the addition of a few custom objects—artwork is perhaps the most important piece of the puzzle. “Both Lisa and Howard wanted art everywhere, so that became a huge part of the project,” explains Pappas. “Lisa was especially hands-on. She gives herself little credit when it comes to sourcing art, but she’s really good at it. We visited galleries, went to art shows, and did a lot of late-night Instagram messaging about different artists. She’s open to looking at all types of artists and has strong opinions, so it was fun for me to play a part in her selection process.” According to Lisa, it was a true collaboration. “My interest in art developed along with this project,” she says. “I wasn’t sure what I wanted at first, but Samantha and I would send each other things we found, which helped build my confidence. I’d spend hours on end looking at art online.” Pappas and the Salzbergs scoped out galleries in Maine and even attended an art show in New York together. “Prior to going to that art show with Samantha, I had no idea we would get to the point where we became so involved in the process,” recalls Lisa, who is drawn to everything from pottery to sculpture to works on canvas. “Most of the artists represented have ties to Maine.” One such artist, Rick Hamilton, delivered his painting Maine, We Love You in person. Proudly hanging in the dining room, the piece includes hearts that represent the New York City skyline. “We knew we had to have it,” Lisa recalls the first time she saw the painting. Other beloved works include the glass bird sculptures by artist David Jacobson that appear to glide down the hallway, and ceramic eye-inspired sculptures by London-based South Korean artist Myung Nam An that are mounted above the living room fireplace. “I dragged Samantha to New York’s Affordable Art Fair to see them,” says Lisa. “I wanted something sculptural for the space, and luckily, Samantha loved them too. They reminded me of sea urchins, and they complement the colors and textures that She chose so well. Essentially, the entire color palette for the project is represented on the wall here.” 

With this infusion of carefully curated, colorful artwork, the residence has been completely transformed. “The collaboration between Samantha and the homeowners produced a design that feels truly unique,” notes Cotnoir. And, most important, it fits the couple’s lifestyle perfectly. “Now the house feels like it’s our home, suiting our personality,” says Howard. “It’s comfortable, cozy, and welcoming.”