Modern Coastal Retreat

Photography by Jeff Roberts

The Kennebunk retreat was all about blending the serenity of the coast with the client’s love for modern design in an intentional way. The home’s exterior is classic New England, but the client wanted a fresh, contemporary interior. We were tasked with designing a partial home renovation and furnishing in time for summer! My goal was to create a space where old and new elements flow so effortlessly, you can’t tell where one ends and the other begins.

Inspired by sand and water, we brought coastal colors into the palette, using organic shapes and textures to keep things soft and natural. Subtle updates—like lightened floors, refreshed bathrooms, new lighting, and a kitchen backsplash and hood—made the space feel cohesive

The dining room is one of my favorite spots. We brought in white oak furniture from Fiore Home and paired it with a light fixture made of banana leaf fibers that mimic linen—little details that make the room feel authentic to the client. Throughout the home, we used lighting as art: ceramics, blown glass, and metal fixtures that feel like sculptures, complementing the homeowners’ impressive art collection.

In the powder room, we custom-matched the wainscoting and vanity colors to the wallpaper, adding onyx sconces and Brizo fixtures to make this tiny space a modern jewel box.

This modern sanctuary still nods to the home’s traditional roots. Calm, collected and totally personal—exactly what a coastal retreat should be. It’s projects like this that remind me why I love what I do.

For the full scoop on this project, read our feature in Maine Home + Design.