The first meeting between an interior designer and a client is about so much more than just design—it’s about the past, the present, and the future of a particular space and how it reflects those who inhabit it. After all, “the essence of interior design will always be about people and how they live,” said late American interior designer Albert Hadley. Our annual Interior Design listing highlights eye-catching projects from Maine’s top designers that will kick off your year with a healthy dose of inspiration.

Bay House

The primary entrance to this old farmhouse nestled on an island serves as both the welcoming main hall and a mudroom for the clients. This active couple uses the space when coming and going from yard work, boating, and entertaining friends and family. Ariana Fischer selected slate with a rough finish for the floor to stand up to wet and muddy boots and paired it with simple but elegant dark wicker furniture, including an antique chair reupholstered in a clean, modern fabric.

In the living area, the clients requested a fresh and comfortable feel. Fischer used contemporary furniture with luxurious textures (velvet, heavy linen, and raffia) and covered the back wall in “It’s Complicated,” a printed linen mural wallpaper by Jessica Zoob featuring a contemporary impressionist painting. A tight color palette subtly evokes the seaside, while sconces with antique mirrors and candelabra bulbs honor the home’s age. Since the room functions as both the TV area and a pass-through to the kitchen, Fischer aligned the furniture on one side of the room to make the flow appropriate for various uses. The chairs and custom tables are light, so they can easily be repositioned to accommodate the room’s function at the time.

“Both areas reflect my design philosophy of good looks meets practicality,” says Fischer. “Inspiring colors, tactile elements, natural materials, marrying modern with antique, items that are deeply evocative with versatility and ease of use—together, they create eminently thoughtful spaces.”

---

Gentleman’s Retreat

The client, an international businessperson who recently downsized from a waterfront estate on Mount Desert Island to a condominium overlooking Portland Harbor, desired an upgrade from the “vanilla condo” aesthetic found in many new builds these days. Linda Banks and David LeBlanc were tasked with incorporating the client’s collection of American period furniture and Maine art into a contemporary space, blending new and old while keeping the space current and fresh.

The condo’s high ceilings allowed Banks and LeBlanc to incorporate crown moulding and cased openings throughout. A classic yet urban feeling encompasses the upgraded space, which includes mahogany cabinets, the client’s vintage oriental rug collection, and whimsical wall coverings that brighten the entry hall. Antique porcelain pieces and contemporary Maine paintings were installed throughout, while an American slant-top desk and Queen Anne table add personality to this gentleman’s retreat.

“Our philosophy is to represent the client as an editor and arbiter of their taste,” explains Banks. “No two projects look the same in our repertoire. We are known for timeless, classic, and thoughtful solutions that represent our clients. It’s a bonus when they have pieces that already mean something to them—it’s what makes the process fun and each outcome meaningful and personal.”

---

Badger’s Island

Badger’s Island is surrounded by a strong, ever-changing current and has a beautiful sandy shoreline covered in seaweed, so Kacey Graham began her design by selecting three slabs of striking granite for the kitchen that celebrate the changing tides and the shades of blue and green found in the ocean. The granite acted as the starting point for the rest of the home’s design and aesthetic.

The space is elegant, serene, and coastal but not kitschy. Clean lines and neutral walls offset rich teal, aqua, and seafoam textiles. A boxy custom sectional sofa in a light, textured seafoam fabric is situated across from the fireplace and faces breathtaking views. Two swivel chairs allow for conversation in one direction and ocean observation in the other. An oversized leather ottoman provides a cozy addition to the relaxed but serene vibe, while a collection of beautiful rugs supports each space and keeps things curated and interesting. The fabric on the den’s sleeper sofa is velvet and patterned but subtle enough to be a welcome surprise. All furnishings, rugs, art, and lighting echo the elegance and beauty found in the magical coastal views.

“The eye needs a place to rest, and intentionality is of utmost importance,” says Graham. “I celebrate purposefully selecting materials, colors, case goods, furnishings, and artwork that tell a family’s story. I always say that you don’t want a passport to go from room to room—you want things to unfold with magic and wonder, and be personally significant and intentional.”

---

Flying Point Cottage

This cottage has been in the same family since 1969 and is now enjoyed by four generations. It was in need of a modern update, but the clients did not want to lose its quintessential seaside-haven feel. Before Abby Johnson of Centerline Design and Build joined the project, the cottage was uninsulated, a long steel beam was holding the walls apart so the roof wouldn’t cave in, and tar paper was visible through the ceiling rafters. 

The main goal, after stabilizing and insulating the structure, was to make the interior of the cottage feel like an extension of the outdoors. The home’s most distinctive feature is the blue painted wood floor, which the homeowner completed on a whim many years ago. Another striking feature is the brand-new bunk and ladder, which is one of the first things seen when entering the space. The homeowner’s daughter painted a mural on the back wall that represents the ebb and flow of the tides. A curation of found and collected items decorates the cottage, including a buoy from an old lobster pot that hangs over the hallway and carved wood birds (created by the homeowner’s father) that rest on the wall above a repurposed shutter-turned-pantry door.

“At Centerline Design and Build, we take great pride in our ability to help our clients define and elevate their own style,” explains Johnson. “No two projects are alike, because each client has a unique vision with personal and subjective elements. This cottage is a one-of-a-kind reflection of four generations of special summer memories for the owner and family.”

---

Zen Maine

On a recent trip to Tokyo, the clients were inspired by the creative and innovative ways Japanese designers utilize small spaces to create custom nooks, alcoves, and thoughtfully built-in furniture. Employing a minimalist aesthetic to complement Japanese design principles, Christina Briggs incorporated natural elements into the home that celebrate the verdant Maine landscape and the site’s surroundings.

The small lot wouldn’t allow for expansion of the existing cottage, so a side-to-side (rather than front-to-back) flow on the first floor slowly unfolds on a central, linear axis. Since there were no limitations on height, a two-story structure houses the main living spaces, and a walk-out ground-level suite acts as a bonus space and overflow for guests. The overall aesthetic features natural wood as a contemporary nod to the traditional Maine camp clad in pine. Straight, intentional lines and simple geometry create an atmosphere of order and harmony that feels calm and restful. 

A color palette rooted in nature consists of warm, earthy neutrals, greens, and light-to-medium wood tones. Materials balance rough and refined elements: white oak floors supplied by E.D. Bessey Lumber Products have knots and checks beneath a European smoked finish, while sleek and simple custom white oak windows, doors, and built-ins contrast with the acid-washed blackened steel fireplace. Countertop materials used throughout the house are marble and soapstone in honed, matte, or textured finishes to tap into the perfectly imperfect Japanese wabi-sabi principles. De Gournay wallpaper creates a special moment at the kitchen bar, reflecting the pine trees surrounding the house with a subtle Japanese note. Brass inlays in all the custom cabinet doors and drawers accentuate the handless fronts, and minimal styling highlights the simple architectural forms and materials.

---

Kate’s Cove

One homeowner loves a colorful, modern colonial aesthetic, while the other has a penchant for traditional elements and anything French, so Sarah Duquette combined these preferences into an elevated Maine coastal style in a transitional design that satisfied them both. 

The overarching color palette of this home highlights various shades of coastal blues and greens with pops of coral. Duquette carefully selected Sunbrella fabrics that will stand up to the couple’s three young children and won’t fade despite bright sunlight streaming in through the windows. The bunk room was custom built to mimic the double berth found in the bow of a ship, complete with porthole lights that allow the children to fall deeper into the world of sea-traveling make-believe while simultaneously preventing little fingers from getting burned on exposed lightbulbs. Each child has their own special “ship cubby” to store their favorite items; the cubbies are inlaid with cherrywood to pick up the color of the room’s floor.

“I believe that for clients to be fully satisfied with the end product of my designs, they must first feel comfortable enough around me to show their authentic selves,” Duquette says. “I encourage them not to take themselves too seriously and to have fun with the creative process, knowing that I am there to guide them to a cohesive design that also highlights their own unique personalities.”

---

Howard’s Hideout

Built in the 1880s, this residence was cramped, structurally sagging, and overrun by mice—not to mention its three different floor heights and a center stairwell interrupting the entire flow. Shannon Richards and the team at Hay Runner developed a plan to stabilize the house, level the floors, and bring as much light into the space as possible despite the neighboring buildings on either side. Removing aspects of the structure and slowly adding them back posed a challenge throughout the project, as did the aging home’s mix-and-match building materials and nearly 140 years of patchwork fixes. 

To lighten up the residence, Richards employed light-colored woods, including pine floors, a custom ash dining table, and oak countertops and shelves in the kitchen. Light walls, a woodstove, and a Bertazzoni range contrast with the dark green custom cabinetry, and local artwork is found throughout the space. The open kitchen abuts a small pantry with a laundry and a half-bath, and the basement is accessible through a hatch in the floor under the new, metal open staircase. The refreshed home has plenty of room to host a large dinner party but is cozy enough to nestle into for an intimate meal.

“My design philosophy is, first, form follows function and, second, take measured risks,” Richards explains. “In the primary bathroom, I designed the vanity to fit the alotted space, and we hand-turned the singular leg. The cupboard behind fits a weird eight-inch recess in the back of the room and houses a hidden ironing board and iron, along with toiletries and an Apple HomePod.”

---

The Overlook

A beautiful stone that needed to be excavated from the site for the foundation was the jumping-off point that inspired the design of this year-round family home. Whitten Architects and the clients worked closely with Heidi Lachapelle Interiors on the interior details.

Drawing on the natural landscape, the home’s design emphasizes neutral textures combined with a palette of deep blues, greens, and rust. In any ground-up build, ensuring the interiors feel warm and lived in is a priority. Lachapelle leaned into whitewashed pine paneling and rich, oiled walnut millwork to complement the large windows and neutral walls. A mix of new and vintage furniture, including Scandinavian pieces from Bernt Petersen and Arne Norell, pairs well with the home’s aesthetic and setting. Custom fabrics throughout the interior allowed the design team to maintain their desired scheme without sacrificing durability.

Stunning walnut cabinetry acts as the home’s centerpiece, with integrated hardware that allows the wood to stand on its own. A combination of flat-front and reeded cabinet profiles creates texture and interest. The calming residence is a testament to the balance of comfort with curation and sophistication with livability.

---

Cape Music Studio

When an internationally renowned musician requested a practice space at her Cape Elizabeth home, the footprint of a former garage was used to build a modern standalone music studio. Inside, designer Bronwyn Huffard endeavored to create a multifunctional space that would emphasize originality and invoke creativity.

The studio’s small footprint posed a challenge for incorporating an unencumbered practice space, a sitting area, a desk and chair, storage, a mudroom, and access to the loft and bathroom. Huffard utilized cool blue tones alongside brighter pops of red and yellow to achieve a playful balance of calm and energy. A Patterson Flynn rug pattern was tweaked for scale and color to make it just right for the space. The faux leather sofa trim is a favorite from Scalamandre, and the custom chandelier is from Tracy Glover Studio. In the powder room, wallpaper from Rebecca Atwood pairs with bespoke sconces from Sazerac Stitches. Between the powder room and entryway, Winter Walk by Karen Blair adorns the wall. Throughout the entire project, Huffard stayed mindful of how sound would behave in the space.

“We help clients realize the best possible version of their spaces,” says Huffard. “We are good at listening to what people need and want, and then delivering beautiful spaces that function superbly. In this case, we created a polished but not-too-serious space for music to thrive. Great design inspires both our clients and us.”

---

Kennebunkport Vacation Home

This open and inviting Kennebunkport second home was designed for attractive yet comfortable multigenerational use. The family includes members from 4 to 89 years old, so Bonnie Weeman of Hurlbutt Designs made sure every detail was selected with the fun, sea-loving group in mind.

The color of an existing bench and lamp in the entry were inspirations for the sunroom located at the end of the hall. Pops of coral in the lamps, print pillows, and chair cushions work well with navy and white furnishings, while oar paintings fit perfectly on the back wall. Deck access through the room makes it a high-traffic space, so a reversible rug and washable outdoor fabrics were selected for upholstery pieces. Also found on the first floor is the guest bedroom featuring an eye-catching four-post bed in a dark blue finish. White and blue linens and indigo seaweed prints complement the bed color against a neutral wall, and blue striped lamps on white bedside tables and whimsical sailboat print valances with navy cord trim complete the attractive bedroom.

“I’ve enjoyed getting to know these clients and their extended family,” explains Weeman. “It was important for me to understand how they pictured the space being used so that I could present them with a design that made sense in its selections—a space that makes them smile each time they enter.”

---

Forest Gem

Tucked away in the forest down a dirt road lined with peridot-colored ferns and moss-covered rocks lies Forest Gem, a woodland contemporary home with tree-speckled views of Sebago Lake. It’s not uncommon to encounter a forest creature on your approach; this home was meant to blend into its wooded surroundings and combine the natural elements with luxury refinement. 

The clients desired a space that combined their individual design styles. Knickerbocker Group’s team thoughtfully balanced masculine dark tones and soft curves, and traditional lodge-style elements with crisp contemporary furnishings, angled ceiling lines, and light colors, resulting in a luxury, refined rustic style. 

Rich leather furniture paired with elegant plaids and houndstooth fabrics harmoniously create a comfortable living space with design details that are classic to a Maine lodge environment. Native materials are a thread throughout the space, such as the bark-covered tree posts at the kitchen island, the natural cleft fireplace stone from a Maine quarry, and the smooth rocks from a local river that serve as the base for a lamp. The color palette was sourced from the site: you can see the green of the pine needles throughout the home’s trim, the morning fog over the lake within the wall paint, and rich browns of the forest floor throughout.

Bunk beds were designed to function as a children’s space or extra sleeping for a women’s weekend retreat. Soft curtains in a fern-inspired fabric gracefully drape each bunk and are paired with knotty boards and oval bulkhead lights. These combined elements create a polished camp-style oasis. With ease of use in mind, the bunk rails were designed to be removable, and the bed frame flips down using a piano hinge for quick linen changes.

---

The Abba Burnham House

When Leandra Fremont-Smith set out to renovate the historic Abba Burnham house in Cumberland Foreside, she aimed to preserve the original charm of the estate while drawing inspiration from the home’s deep-rooted history. The house had undergone previous renovations throughout the years and the project required extensive structural and electrical updates along with smaller but important adjustments like opening up tight spaces and even moving a staircase. 

The updated kitchen needed to be durable while fitting in with the flow of the historical home. To address this issue and fulfill the client’s request for a renovated kitchen floor that would look like real wood, Fremont-Smith selected a herringbone porcelain tile in a faux wood color that transitions well into the adjacent rooms with original wood flooring. A custom stainless-steel hood in the kitchen has brass banding and rivets that tie the room together; other brass accents include the deck-mount bridge faucet, cabinet hardware, and pendant lighting. Leaded glass doors in the wet bar and upper cabinets add finishing touches to the space.

“My design philosophy was to make the home—and the kitchen, especially—functional for a modern-day family while keeping the charm of the Georgian house,” says Fremont-Smith. “I wanted to make sure all of these new spaces melded well and coordinated with the original, older spaces.”

---

Sicilian Table Restaurant

The Sicilian Table in Falmouth is a sister restaurant to the Royal River Grill House, Tuscan Bistro, and Tuscan Table. Each venue has its own unique style inspired by its name—in this case, the colors, textures, and landscape of the Italian island of Sicily.

The two-floor dining space features an urban, upscale atmosphere that delivers the “wow” factor the moment guests walk into the restaurant, where a large seaside tile mural and oversized lighting fixtures set the tone. Bringing warmth to a cavernous space can be difficult, but Nicola Manganello carved out niche spaces that create a cozy feeling within the otherwise corporate-style building. Her signature style is evident in the mixture of old and new elements, along with plenty of pillows and contrasting patterns.

When traveling years ago, Manganello spotted oversized fish lights made of light balsa wood and had been waiting for the perfect opportunity to employ them. The use of lighted rope gives the illusion of motion and waves. Upside-down champagne baskets sourced from an antique vintage shop were paired with custom steel harnesses, oyster shells, and coral lighting to create more unique fixtures that illuminate the space. The commissioned mural in the bathroom is of the owner’s eldest grandchild, and the mural above the kitchen transports patrons to a seaside Italian village.

---

Sebago Lake Kitchen Reno

The dark, outdated kitchen of this Sebago Lake residence was the last major element of a project that began four years prior. Having worked with the family for years, Robin Davis knew her clients appreciated an overall feeling that is clean and uncluttered yet cozy and casual. The towering evergreens surrounding the property, along with the views of Sebago Lake and Mount Washington, inspired the new green, blue, and dark gray interior palette. 

After removing the upper cabinets, Davis struggled to find enough storage space elsewhere in the kitchen. In reworking the layout, she was able to double the lost storage by spinning the island in a different direction and increasing its size by three feet; she also added a ceiling-height, 76-foot-wide built-in hutch cabinet with custom trim work. Davis stayed on budget by avoiding custom color finishes: the kitchen’s soft white and sage green are stock colors. A stone feature wall provides drama that mimics the floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace in the adjacent great room, and black Marquina quartz countertops along with dark trim on the windows and china cabinet give the space a modern feel.

“I truly feel that a home will tell you what it wants to be, and this kitchen renovation was no different. It wasn’t a functional kitchen to work in, and it definitely didn’t make you want to hang out in it,” explains Davis. “By reworking the layout, adding in more light, and reconfiguring the storage needed for a large family and a vacation home, it ended up looking exactly as I envisioned.”

---

Woodland Retreat

Nestled between the ocean and a peaceful pond, this wooded escape provides a strongly defined juxtaposition of dark and light spaces, offering a bright and airy feel along with cozy and comfy vibes. The balance of masculine and feminine influences is felt in every square inch of the home.

Annie Talmage incorporated layers of textured, light neutrals with pops of blue and green water tones in the kitchen, dining room, living area, and primary suite. Off the main living spaces are bonus areas, including a screened porch with a fireplace, a family room with grass cloth walls, and plenty of outdoor living spaces to enjoy during the warmer seasons. A masculine palette of gray, charcoal, and black plays off the warm wood tones in these spaces.

“My design philosophy is always about the balance of color, texture, and incorporation of the homeowners’ personalities and lifestyles,” explains Talmage. “This home was such a joy to work on as I built a relationship with my clients, which has evolved into a fantastic friendship. I was able to learn how they live and how this space could give them an opportunity to maximize their passions in any season.”

---

Town Landing Primary Suite

Samantha Pappas selected the impeccable view of Casco Bay seen from the bedroom’s window as the focal point for this Town Landing project, bringing it into the space’s design through texture, color, and overall feel. Pappas wanted the focus of both the bedroom and bathroom—from furniture layout to colors—to emphasize the tranquility of Casco Bay. 

Opening the originally dark and wooded bathroom with a wall of glass that allows light to flow into the space added an airy feel, while cool-toned tiles that contrast with the dark gray floors make the area feel brighter. The suite’s color palette is soothing with shades of green, blue, and brown to reflect the colors of the bay and the sounding trees. The coolness of the blues is balanced by the warmth of the deep brown leather sofa and the earthy green fabrics; these same colors carry through in the art, custom pillows, and headboard, which features a scalloped detail that mimics the movement of the water.

“I strive to design clean yet cozy spaces that reflect my client’s personalities with pops of interest through layers of color, texture, and pattern,” Pappas says. “My spaces are strongly inspired by the outdoors and natural surroundings of the home. This suite works seamlessly with the serene coastal surroundings and is personalized with patterns, art, and textures to enhance those even further.”

---

Nest Refresh

With their eldest child headed into their final year of high school, this family of four was seeking an update to encourage get-togethers that everyone could enjoy now and for years to come—well before the parents were facing an empty nest. Sarah Fischer looked to the family’s traditions, treasures, and lore to curate personal spaces where every member of the family could feel at ease. The contents of the family’s bookshelves and game cabinet, as well as their collective taste in fashion, art, and music, helped to inspire the flow, functionality, and design scheme of this four-room project. The finished residence feels at once playful and refined—an old house where a young family has made their mark. 

Fischer was tasked with making each space multifunctional both for growing teens and for the empty nest on the horizon: rooms needed to accommodate mixing cocktails and playing a card game one weekend and making decorations for the school dance the next. Bold color and pattern in the parlor filters into the adjoining rooms with subtle repeating elements via art, upholstery, and accessories. The spaces all feature unique touches that surprise and delight but are generally rooted in classic influences that make the home familiar and approachable.

“I believe in design that reflects the perfectly imperfect people who enjoy the spaces on a daily basis, with a bit of quirk and a healthy mix of old and new,” says Fischer. “This wonderful client embraced my collaborative approach, sharing their family stories, traditions, special travels, and even the contents of their closets so that I could get to know their tastes in order to translate them to the interiors. The resulting space feels very much their own, with art and furnishings that reflect their lives, but it’s also informed by my unique perspective that marries old-world charm with fresh color and modern forms.”

---

Midcoast Midcentury

Positioned on the edge of a rocky, rugged coastline, this home’s existing architecture featured a classic sloped roofline with wood paneling, lots of large windows, and multilevel living spaces that were open to each other. Abigail Shea of Studio Eastman took inspiration from these architectural elements and used contemporary design principles to update the space while honoring the home’s natural surroundings with specific material, color, and texture selections.

The resulting design is soft and grounding, devoid of any overwhelming colors or vibrant artworks. The primary white paint color is subdued, while supplementary colors throughout the home (in shades of dark olive, mousy brown, and grayish blue) are muted and earthy. Furniture was carefully selected to add different layers of architectural style to the home, like the living room’s linen sloped-arm sofa paired with midcentury Siesta chairs and a rustic wood coffee table. Textures of wood, linen, cement, sherpa, and marble add depth to the space and give the home a warm, calm feeling.

“My entire design ethos is that living among natural materials and goods leads to a qualitatively different and better life than one surrounded by manufactured, artificial things,” Shea notes. “I consistently tell my clients that nothing I do in their homes could ever be more beautiful or important than what’s outside, so we work really hard to craft spaces that amplify natural surroundings rather than distracting from them,” she continues. “It sounds so ‘woo-woo,’ but creating spaces for people to be restored, and therefore go back into the world as better, kinder humans, is really Studio Eastman’s purpose.”

---

Parmachenee A-Frame

Inspired by the gorgeous backdrop of Saddleback Mountain, Liz Kirby selected earth tones and natural fibers to create a high-end, lodge-like vibe in this ski-friendly A-frame. One of the biggest challenges Kirby faced was space: the small structure needed to fit the entire family (including four adult children) without feeling cramped.

In the kitchen, campy green cabinets mix with modern, elevated white stone countertops and a deep walnut butcher block on the island; elsewhere, unique tones and textures make the A-frame’s interior stand out from others in the area. A RH Yeti chair gives the Maine home true Aspen ski vibes.

“This home represents a cozy gathering space for a large family,” explains Kirby. “I love to design spaces for families, and to maximize space where there isn’t much to work with. I also love the mix of high and low elements we used in this space, as well as the custom millwork we incorporated,” she continues. “I enjoy working with clients to help them determine where it’s worth it to splurge and where it’s okay to save.”

---

Sebago Midcentury Modern

The owners of this midcentury lake home wanted to maintain the residence’s architectural integrity while prioritizing their deep connection to the lake, which meant Tyler Karu’s design plan needed to provide durability and comfort, not preciousness or fragility. 

The home is casual and welcoming, with midcentury furnishings, vintage plaid pillows, and elements of lake-focused nostalgia. The site boasts remarkable views, so the interiors were designed to be a complement rather than a distraction. Karu selected a color palette that reflects the environment, paired with materials that feel harmonious. The second-floor living area sits on the tree line, and all those leaves inspired the unexpected green backsplash in the kitchen. Oak cabinetry helps the utilitarian space feel natural and organic. The ceiling plan of four Noguchi lights in the great room and dining area feel appropriate architecturally and provide a practical ambient glow when illuminated.

“We love working on to-the-studs remodels for the sense of preservation and for the challenge of making an older home functional for life today,” says Karu. “There’s a tricky balance to strike when developing a design plan, but we really enjoy the challenge of preserving an interesting property rather than tearing down and starting over. My design sensibility leans midcentury, so this project represents not only our aesthetic leanings but also our ethos of preservation over demolition.”