Give your summer guests a classic coastal Maine cottage experience by incorporating these 6 elements into your guest bedroom!
It is the time of year here on the Maine coast when we all start getting ready for the influx of summer guests! I designed our home with these visits by family and friends in mind. Summer homes that have been in the family for years are a tradition here in Maine. I wanted our new home to feel like one of those old family homes — filled with furniture and accessories collected through the generations — but with a fresh modern spin.
Our main house has two guests rooms, plus a den with a pull-out couch and attached full bath. And the guest cottage sleeps four with a full bath, living and dining areas, and a kitchenette. I decorated all these spaces with a definite coastal Maine vibe so that my guests would feel like they are on vacation from their everyday lives!
Here are 6 ways to turn your guest room into a classic coastal Maine retreat, no matter where you live!
1. Antique furniture
The showpiece of this room is the antique cottage bedroom set. It features a bed, dresser with mirror, side table, and washstand and dates to the late 1800’s/early 1900’s. The carved headboard and mirror, scalloped detailing, and delicate painted design had my heart the moment I laid eyes on them. I bought this set for our previous home at an antiques show in Virginia, but I think it was always meant for this waterview bedroom in Maine.
You might be surprised that unique antique pieces like these can often be bought for much less than new furniture. And the craftmanship of old pieces just can’t be beat. If you prefer new furniture, though, (they didn’t make queen or king-size beds back then, and my kids hate how the drawers in the dresser stick) you can find new cottage-style pieces for a similar look!
2. Bright Summer Bedding
Pretty floral sheets in bright colors scream summer. I got these sheets from The Company Store Last Summer. They always have a nice selection of bedding in fun patterns. These or these would provide a similar look!
A quilt folded at the foot of the bed is perfect for those cool Maine nights. My quilt is an old Pottery Barn design, but this one from The Company Store is so pretty!
Be sure to keep your eye out at Target and HomeGoods for throw pillows to complete your Maine cottage look!
A dog or two lounging on the bed is the icing on the cake!
3. Striped Rug
A simple striped cotton rug is soft underfoot and adds another layer of color and pattern. Annie Selke is my go-to for striped cotton rugs.
The vintage hooked ship rug was a lucky estate sale find!
4. Vintage collections
Vintage collections are a must to achieve that “old family home” feeling in a room. The grouping of china houses was my mom’s. She had them displayed just like this on a dresser in one of her guest rooms. I think of her every time I look at them.
I spent a few months hunting for coastal watercolors in local antiques/vintage stores to create the gallery wall behind the bed. They have the feel of being collected over the course of many years, though. They don’t have to be the same size or have matching frames, but I recommend that you choose a theme to tie the display together. Most importantly, have fun with it!
5. Wicker furniture
Wicker furniture isn’t just for the porch! I love the casual coastal vibe it adds to a room. Vintage wicker is another thing that can be found for reasonable prices at antiques stores. When my grown kids visited over the last couple years, they often worked remotely. I realized I needed a small desk in each bedroom when one of my sons-in-law was conducting Zoom meetings with his computer sitting on the end of the bed! I painted this vintage cutie pale blue to match a table I have next to the bed.
6. Classic Window Treatments
This guest room has a spectacular ocean view. It also gets direct sunlight in the morning. I recently had these scallop-edged roller shades from Budget Blinds installed in the windows. Their design harkens back to simpler times, but their clean lines and modern mechanics are very much grounded in the present. And I love how that scalloped edge frames the view and also echoes the scalloped detail on the bed and dresser.
These are not your grandmother’s roller shades! They are a simpler alternative to more pricey roman shades. That said, if the flimsy roller shades of old are making you question my design sense, a simple drape or roman shade would create a similar Maine cottage look!
I hope this post has inspired you to bring a little classic coastal Maine into your home! For the story of how we ended up here in Maine (and how I ended up chatting with you here), check out my post Bold Journeys and Second Runs!
Greetings from Maine! I am so grateful you stopped by!
I actually think some of those houses were Grandma’s. She loved those arrangements like Mom. Aren’t those Lele’s Halcyon Days boxes on the desk? The room really invites the visitor to explore and notice the small things which will inevitably invite you to look out the window to the water, or whatever is out the window. That is how it was in Lele’s back room.
They might have been, Liss, but Mom had them all lined up on the dresser in your old room! And yes,those are some of Lele’s Halcyon Days boxes on the desk! Thanks for following along with me here!
Molly your post is so beautiful. I loved seeing all the angles of your home and your design process. Super fun🙌🏻
Thanks, Ann! I am slowly learning, thanks to your tutelage!
The sweetest room and view. I agree with another commenter that all the little details slow you down to take notice. I love the scalloped shades.
Thanks so much, Sandy! Design is in the details!
I’m loving your blog!!! You’ve definitely captured the essence of coastal Maine…not that I’ve ever been there, but I sure want to now. What are the little boxes on the round tray on the wicker desk? Also such a pretty architectural piece above the bench.
Thank you so much! I have tried to make this place feel very “Maine”. You definitely need to visit this beautiful state sometime! The boxes on the desk are Halcyon Days enamel boxes. They were my grandmother’s!
Great information Molly. A gracious home envelopes one from the first step through the door. Comforting details that may look effortless but are thoughtfully planned. The evolution is the fun part.
Thanks, Claudia! I love both the process and the details!
Shoot i just lost all of my comment. I forgot to fill out required fields so it errored out and told me it wouldnt be posted but then erased the comment instead of giving me a chance to complete it. I just said how much i liked learning the details of creating a maine/vintage look. I knew you “had” it but with your great pictures and description it is easy to see how you styled it! I love the scalloped shades much better. So pretty and really frames that beautiful view!
I love how you have added coastal Maine charm to your home in the Midwest, Amy! Makes for an easy getaway to your favorite place!
Molly,
Love ya blog, Beautiful, Inspiring. Awesome tips.
Blinds, Shades,/ Roman omg yes, as John cannot stand Drapery, that puddles, which I love, Always had Blinds, Drapery, in other houses. The windows and doors in the old farmhouse are not Standard size., We saved as many of the old windows with the Wavy glass and been restored, as to be as old and original they were in excellent condition. Thank you.
Thanks so much, Karen! Your husband and I are of like minds, haha! My windows are not standard size either, so my window treatments are custom. I am going slowly room by room. Next up is the upstairs hall bathroom. I am excited to share what I am doing in there!
Molly, your guest rooms are divine … it’s a wonder your guests ever leave. I certainly wouldn’t. I love vintage furniture, but hadn’t thought about bed size and how it’s changed over time. All your touches are just perfect and I’m a fan of the roller shades. They’re probably up most of the time to take in the magnificent views. Loving your new blog!!! xo
Thanks! I have heard that, but haven’t tried it yet.
Hi Juliet — Truthfully, I am always sad when my guests leave. I love having them here! I love the bedroom set in this room so much, but it is just a full-size bed. Definitely makes for cozy sleeping for the couples, haha! I had antique headboards made into queen-size in the primary bedroom and the navy blue guest room. That is an option too!
You have created a beautiful space for your family and guests Molly. I love every detail.
Thanks, Kim! I have my first guests coming for July 4th. Can’t wait to have the guest rooms filled!
When the bureau drawer sticks, rub the bottom edge with soap or a candle.
Thanks! I have heard that trick, but haven’t tried it yet!
Molly, you have inspired me to add some of those details that make your room such a welcoming, comforting space! Love the scalloped edge on the shades!
Thank you, Jane! I love that sweet scalloped edge too! It frames the view beautifully!
What a great post I love your tips! And I got your email today! Woohoo!
Thanks so much, Stacy! I need to learn how to send my own email. I am trying to do at least one thing new with each post. Such a steep learning curve! Thanks again for the shout-out in your blog today!
Hey Molly
So many great tips. Your home is just stunning and I loved all the images. So glad you are blogging now and I’d love to share a link to this post next Sunday in my Dirt Road Adventures.
You and the other Zoomies ladies have been such an inspiration and support to me! I would so appreciate a share in your blog! Thank you!
Such a lovely bedroom. It is the epitome of coastal living. Blessings to you.
Thank you! I have loved coastal style for years. Now that I live here I can really go with it, haha!
Your guest rooms are lovely. I appreciate how the items in them have stories to tell.
Thank you! I love to tell a story through my decorating!
I enjoyed this post. I’m looking for a window covering for my guest room. I’ll visit Budget Blinds later today. Your home is so welcoming, and the location is beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
Karen B.
I appreciate you joining me here! I have loved my experience with Budget Blinds. They are franchise owned and my guy Brad is very helpful. He comes to the house, helps me pick out the right window treatment, measures, and installs. And the wait has not been overly long for any of the window treatments I have gotten, which is surprising in this day and age!