Here's a quick peek at some of the artwork & design elements inside our upscale 'sea siren' themed Little 'g' Cottage.
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OUR ART WORKEverything about our property, including the main house & (now the) cottage, pays homage to the rich history of DownEast Maine, in one form or fashion.
While the main house has numerous themed rooms (whaling, nautical ropes & knots, tall ships, lobster, kraken, Maine sea & air travel, etc.), we wanted the cottage to be noticeably unique & ultimately, most importantly, super relaxing; therefore, its theme is upscale 'sea siren'. After all, when you're at the ocean, what is it that makes it so relaxing? The water element, of course. What better way to highlight the mystery & magic of the deep sea (while honouring Maine's past tall tales) than a sea siren theme!? Here are just a few examples of the artwork that will be displayed in our Little 'g' Cottage, including the large, vibrant lime green mermaid that is shown as this pages' header. 
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OUR HYGGE DESIGN QUEST
Hygge (pronounced HOO-guh) is a Danish word that translates to 'cozy comfort'. The longer translation is 'a quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being (regarded as a defining characteristic of Danish culture).'
More loosely, it means all things pre-loved/gently worn-in, relaxed, and snuggly. It's a feeling, really. For us, it's a place that draws you in and makes you want to stay. Twinkle lights, a warm fire, cozy blankets, a stack of books (with reading nook!), lots of natural light, nothing too bright or harsh, and, mostly, the sense of being one with nature. This is what we hope we've accomplished and can offer you, our guests.
Read more about our hygge quest below.....
More loosely, it means all things pre-loved/gently worn-in, relaxed, and snuggly. It's a feeling, really. For us, it's a place that draws you in and makes you want to stay. Twinkle lights, a warm fire, cozy blankets, a stack of books (with reading nook!), lots of natural light, nothing too bright or harsh, and, mostly, the sense of being one with nature. This is what we hope we've accomplished and can offer you, our guests.
Read more about our hygge quest below.....
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OUR ENTRYWAYFrom the moment that you enter our cottage, you'll have no doubt about the feeling that we're trying to evoke.
With one of our larger art prints immediately visible on the entry wall, you'll know that you've walked-into a palpably calming escape. The full-view entry door (featuring a bamboo privacy shade) leads you into a clean, open, and bright space. Once inside, the kitchenette is immediately to your left, the half-bath is immediately to your right (around the entry wall), and the remainder of the cottage is open to you, straight ahead. Couldn't ask for a more uncomplicated stay. You'll see a 'welcome' mat that also requests that you please remove your shoes. Everything in our cottage is fresh & new and we'd like to keep it as clean as possible, so removing your shoes is a must, please. 
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OUR SITTING ROOMOur small sitting room is the cozy 'flopping' area of the cottage. It's directly opposite the back ocean-facing wall and affords the most direct view of the shoreline and small cove beyond; it's also open to the studio bedroom yet separated from the kitchen (and entry area of the cottage) via a knee wall island that also houses the compact laundry area.
In order for the living area of the cottage to NOT get lost in the open concept of the adjoining spaces, we've given it its own energized 'ocean' colour palette. Burnished wicker-&-rattan furniture, with thick, coastal striped cushions, a handsome hand-hooked rug, plush pillows, and super-soft throws, all help to make the room inviting. It's a great place to watch the rise & fall of the tide, sneak a peek at the deer strolling along the shoreline, watch a favorite television show, or read one of our sea- or mermaid-themed books. Again, we do ask that all guests please remove their shoes as soon as they enter the cottage, from either door, in order to keep the mud and gravel outside and to keep our cottage looking new. 
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OUR STUDIO BEDROOMOur cottages' bedroom is a sanctuary within a sanctuary, because the bedroom is surrounded by windows. It's open to the expansive views of our shoreline, cove, surrounding pine & birch woods, and the bay beyond. Soooooo relaxing...and, best yet, you don't have to get up to see what's going on around you. Truly a retreat.
The antique (originally a full-size, converted to a queen-size) French 'shell' bed is from the 1930s and is whitewashed & distressed to match the cottage's 'hygge' theme. The beds' firm hybrid mattress is covered with a four-inch memory gel foam topper, plus another thick padded bed topper, all within a zippered encasement mattress protector, to ensure cleanliness and worry-free comfort. To make it even better, a softly-padded mattress pad and silky microfiber sheets are added ~ all for our guests' comfort. There are two whitewashed mermaid light sconces (with a dimmer switch) that flank either side of the bed, as well as numerous battery-operated candles, for added ambiance. A rather large vintage armoire stores extra pillows and blankets (and bug zapper paddles!), but also provides space to hang your clothing. Other complimentary pieces, like the vintage bed tables & mercury glass lamps, help to provide a unique, clean, pleasant, & very functional sleeping space. 
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OUR KITCHENETTE & LAUNDRY AREAThe kitchenette offers the conveniences of home, but on a smaller scale. It is located just inside the front door and has full views of the water through the back wall. Two additional windows, one over the sink & one on the kitchen's entry wall further brighten the space with considerable natural sunlight.
Of note: the kitchenette is as fully stocked as possible, due to size, utensil- and appliance-wise (other than a full-size oven or an automatic dishwasher). We've instead provided a countertop combo convection oven/air fryer. The kitchenette's knee wall includes a small laundry area with an automatic compact washer & separate compact dryer. We've even added an on-demand hot water system to ensure that your hot water is always hot. :) The compact laundry area is exactly that, compact. Both the washing machine and the dryer cannot accommodate full loads. One or two towels at the most. We also offer a clothesline just outside the back deck, where you may hang wet items to dry. If you have large personal items that need to be washed, the town of Milbridge has a very clean and brightly lit laundromat facility, next to the grocery store. 
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OUR DINING TABLE FOR TWOA vintage gateleg table is a great choice as our dining table for two...and it comes with a view! Its location along the back wall ensures continual views of our shoreline and the rise & fall of the ocean waters beyond. During cooler months, the dining table is (intentionally) close to our little corner fireplace.
Our cozy little table is expandable, by flipping up one or both sides, and therefore, doubles as our computer workstation (there is an wall outlet directly behind the table). But please do understand that the point of this little getaway is to GET AWAY. That includes work. We can't make you, of course, but we highly recommend that you take the time to take-in the quiet and seclusion. We're happy to write an excuse note to your boss. ;) 
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OUR FULL BATH, DIVIDEDThe bathroom is a fun, colourful space ~ actually two spaces ~ a vanity area and a separate water closet (toilet area). Well, no, actually three spaces, when including the awesome outdoor shower AND a large, outdoor galvanized tub-for-two with waterfall spillway!
With the hand-painted porcelain 'fish' sink as our inspiration, the vanity area is a mix of turquoise blues, sea greens, & fresh ambers, with a colourful starfish thrown in for good measure (in Maine they are called 'sea stars'). The lively oval sink sits atop an antique buffet cabinet and is topped by a very large nautical 'rope' mirror, flanked by two nautical vanity lights. Under-foot is a soft, hand-hooked, coordinating fish rug. Entry into the water closet is via a louvered barn door and, once inside, a large window (with views of the woods & shoreline) makes the space feel less confined. While on the small side, by necessity, the water closet is upbeat & features its own artwork and fresh colour palette. Small certainly doesn't mean dull. Both the vanity area and the W/C are much more than boring utilitarian spaces. Who wants to wake-up to boring!? Yuck. As mentioned, to round-out our guests' bathing requirements, there is an awesome, large outdoor shower, just outside the French doors, on the back deck, and a large, deep galvanized tub-for-two with waterfall spillway. Yes, both are big enough for two. 
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COMFORT & PRIVACY FEATURESPlease don't think that, because we are small, we are minimal. We've gone through great lengths to offer as many extras as possible, even in such a small space.
Our two contemporary ceiling fans are remote-controlled (with remotes conveniently located on either end of the cottage - one for each fan). Our flooring, while laminate for ease of cleaning and its waterproof ability, was chosen for its wearability and very clean lines, reminiscent of aged driftwood, which completely befits a fresh & upscale oceanfront cottage. We love the look. And, while our cottage is truly intimate, because of the surrounding dense woods, as well as the private, open bay, we have outfitted the cottage with cordless bamboo roman shades on every window & door. We want our guests to soak in the 360° views, but we also understand that, particularly at night, guests would like to feel that there is additional privacy. We totally get that. :) There are also motion detector flood lights on each corner of the cottage. The local deer (and porcupine) population freely roam our property, so those lights will let you know if the deer (or other wildlife) are around. We've even provided binoculars in order to keep an eye on them while they 'visit'. |
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A New Feature for Our Guests!As you roam DownEast Maine, you'll notice lobster pots with vibrant lobster buoys everywhere! As a 'thank you' to all of our guests, we've created a colourful, commemorative lobster buoy wall as a way to show our guests how much we truly appreciate them, as well as that they've entrusted us with their getaway needs!
Our completed 2023 buoys have been added to the shower/tub area. Each guest, either during or upon completion of their stay, may choose to have a custom buoy made to commemorate their getaway time with us. We'll do our absolute best to accommodate their colour & design preferences, and even send a photo of the custom buoy, once complete. Perhaps only a small gesture of appreciation, but a sincere & heartfelt one. 
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More About Hygge
It's important to us that potential rental guests understand our full & intentional quest for 'hygge'. With such a small space, we had two options: make the space sparse, hyper-minimal, in order to make it appear larger, or fill the space with wonderful things that are soothing and soft and homey and unpretentious. We chose the latter.
While most Mainers call it a 'camp', we call it a 'cottage'. For Airbnb purposes, it's considered a 'cabin'. It's actually the guest house to our larger home next door, but because of the natural elements, its location right on the shore, yet also in the midst of tall pine trees, we've decided to classify it as a 'cabin'.
Cabins, cottages, or camps, they all bring to mind a warmly mellow and inviting place to de-stress & decompress. The crackle of a fire (indoors, electric will have to do for our guests; outdoors, we have a wonderful fire pit close to the water), ultra-plush blankets and throws, soft rugs under foot, the glow of candles (battery-operated), the sound of the ocean lapping at the shore, the fresh smell of our pine trees.......all of these things help to promote 'hygge' and, we hope, will add to our guests' sense of calm relaxation.
By the way, hygge does not include modern technology!! No TV's, computers, or smart phones....but we've made exceptions for those who simply cannot do without. :)
While most Mainers call it a 'camp', we call it a 'cottage'. For Airbnb purposes, it's considered a 'cabin'. It's actually the guest house to our larger home next door, but because of the natural elements, its location right on the shore, yet also in the midst of tall pine trees, we've decided to classify it as a 'cabin'.
Cabins, cottages, or camps, they all bring to mind a warmly mellow and inviting place to de-stress & decompress. The crackle of a fire (indoors, electric will have to do for our guests; outdoors, we have a wonderful fire pit close to the water), ultra-plush blankets and throws, soft rugs under foot, the glow of candles (battery-operated), the sound of the ocean lapping at the shore, the fresh smell of our pine trees.......all of these things help to promote 'hygge' and, we hope, will add to our guests' sense of calm relaxation.
By the way, hygge does not include modern technology!! No TV's, computers, or smart phones....but we've made exceptions for those who simply cannot do without. :)