Summer Ready in the Guest Cottage!
Memorial Weekend is here and the guest cottage is ready for summer visitors! Today you are invited to come for a virtual overnight stay! Welcome to Maine! I am so happy to see you!
Summer in Maine
It is Memorial Weekend and the unofficial start of summer.
Here on the Maine coast that means one thing — it is time for the influx of visiting family and friends!
Today, that would be you!
Well, virtually, at least…
We have two guest rooms in the house, but I have readied the guest cottage for you.
Before getting here, you will want to read my post Chasing a Dream: Our Coastal Maine House Story, Part I, in which I shared how we ended up here in Maine, our home search, the original property, and the guest cottage renovation.
You won’t believe the “before” pictures of the cottage when you see what it looks like now!
Welcome to Maine!
I hope your trip was okay. It can be a long journey up the coast.
I promise it will be worth it! I still feel a sense of release when I pull into the driveway and see the ocean, framed by the jagged silhouettes of spruce trees, stretching to the horizon.
Stop for a moment on the porch to take it all in! The field is filling in and the lupine are getting ready to bloom! The crabapple tree I planted last year is covered in bright pink blossoms!
Then head on in to check out your accommodations for the night!
Settling In
The cottage might be just 450 square feet of one-room living, but my builder and I figured out how to pack it all in!
You will see a seating area that accommodates 7 (though I would appreciate it if you don’t have a party!), a table for dining or work, a bed nook, and a kitchenette with an under-counter fridge, convection oven, and mini farmhouse sink. The bathroom is separate, of course!
After you have unpacked, relax and have a glass of wine while you take in the sunset. When you are ready, dinner is at the main house — just a short stroll down the driveway.
Sweet Dreams
Time for bed!
I hope you stopped to take a look at the stars on the walk back up to the cottage! Since we don’t have a lot of ambient light at night here, the stars are spectacular. We can even see the Milky Way!
You are in for a treat tonight!
I just upgraded our bedding with new sheets, shams and a coverlet from Schweitzer Linen.
A couple years ago I partnered with Schweitzer Linen on bedding for the primary bedroom and last year for the Captain’s guest room.
This time I chose a pretty brightly colored floral print that reminds me of the summer wildflower field just out the windows of the guest cottage (even though the pattern is called Spring Blossom). To coordinate with it, beautifully embroidered Sienne Scallops sheets.
As with all Schweitzer Linen bedding, the quality is top-notch and the attention to detail exquisite.
The quilt folded at the foot of the bed was made by my grandmother!
The mix of patterns — bedding, quilt, wallpaper, and Ballard Design lamps shades — is just so cheery!
You can also get your bed or guest room ready for summer, with 20% off everything at Schweitzer Linen (except sale or clearance items)! Just use code DYGEN20 at checkout. My items are linked just below! Schweitzer Linen has literally hundreds of other patterns to choose from too!
Good Morning!
I hope you slept well!
How did you like that view when you sat up in bed this morning?!
It looks like another beautiful day here!
Time for coffee! Or do you prefer tea? We have both in the little kitchenette. I also made blueberry muffins with Maine wild blueberries.
You can read all about these special Maine berries in my post Wild About Maine (Wild) Blueberries.
The Details
Before getting started with the day, I hope you will take a look at some of the details in the guest cottage.
I designed this space to give my guests a true coastal Maine vacation experience!
Sailing ship artwork, metal bait buckets, and colorful glass buoys add nautical flair.
A wooden bowl filled with vintage croquet balls, a metal bucket holding old tennis and badminton rackets, and a red and white striped life jacket tossed on the back of a chair are playful summer touches.
A framed fishing game and children’s cardboard “Sailors Guide” wheel add unique charm.
The kitchenette is home to a collection of “Old Salty” and “Cap’n Pepper” shakers and a vintage Maine cookbook.
The handmade braided rugs on either side of the bed were auction finds, and the wonderful painted bench I use as a coffee table came from a flea market in Virginia.
Wicker furniture pieces keep things light and breezy.
And while I am not usually one for “word” decor, the “Maine” and “Guest Cottage” pillows are there just in case a visitor somehow forgets where they are, ha! 😉
Each piece was carefully selected to evoke memories of simple bygone summers spent enjoying the salt air and sea breezes, while still keeping modern comforts in mind.
Let’s Get Out and About
Are you ready to get out for a bit?
We could visit the local lighthouse or the beach. (Let’s make sure it is low tide, though, or the beach will be under sea water!)
Do you want to go out in the kayak or give the paddleboard a try?
We have plenty of lawn games. Corn hole is always fun!
Maybe you want to hit some of the local art galleries and the Farnsworth Art Museum.
Or perhaps you just want to hang out on the porch or stretch out in the hammock and read or snooze.
Whatever we do, we will definitely get lunch at McLoon’s Lobster Shack. You can read all about this local eatery in my blog post The Best Little Lobster Shack in Maine.
Thank You for Coming!
Sadly, it is time to hit the road.
I hope you enjoyed your “visit”!
I am so glad you came!
Hopefully you are leaving feeling relaxed and refreshed!
And also with some ideas on how you can decorate your own guest space to give visitors a vacation experience, no matter where you live!
Time for me to get the cottage ready for the next guests!
My daughter Leah, son-in-law Adam, and sweet baby James arrive on Wednesday!
Then I need to ready the “Captain’s” guest room, for my son Jack and his wife Margaux, who are joining us next weekend.
I love summer here in Maine!
Oh, I also need to put the crib together. I’d better get started on that right away. You know how long those things can take sometimes…
Have a wonderful holiday weekend!
Welcome, summer!
Be well, friends!
Questions, comments, or just want to say hello?
I’m always happy to hear from you.
Oh molly, I think we’re going to quite happy nestled into your thoughtfully designed and so charming guest cottage. Might we extend our stay?! xo
Aw, thanks, Juliet! You can hang out in my blog post as long as you want! 😉 Have a great weekend!
What a delightful post. Thank for letting me be a guest. Enjoy your family.
Hi Nancy! So happy you enjoyed your “stay”! Have a wonderful weekend!
Just so beautiful! What a wonderful “visit”.
Thank you for visiting! Have a wonderful rest of the weekend!
Adorable! I’m sure your guests never want to leave, Molly.
Thank you, Linda! I also never want my guests to leave! Love having family and friends come to stay!
Love the guest cottage molly! Happy MDW!
Thank you, Stacy! Hope you enjoy your weekend too!
Simply beautiful!!
Thank you! Have a great weekend!
Just perfection! I love everything you have done to decorate the guest cottage! All the Maine touches are just right and give your guests the whole Maine experience. I would love to hang out there..,just a great space!
Thank you, Judy! I am glad you enjoyed your “stay”! I obviously had a lot of fun decorating this space!
Love every detail you know that Molly. Have the best weekend with your guests🇺🇸🌻
Thanks, Ann! The kids start to arrive on Wednesday. Can’t wait! Have a great weekend!
Absolutely beautiful! Forget about a visit, I could live there year round! Thanks for sharing.
Haha! I did live there for 6 months! It was a little tight! 😉
Love the boat cleats for cabinet hardware!! The cottage is just perfection!❤️
Hi Jenny! Thank you! Yes, that was a fun touch to add!
Oh Molly, I don’t want to leave! Everything about the cottage is so welcoming and cozy. Your decorating with all the coastal touches is just so fun. Thank you for being such a wonderful host.
You are kind, Sally! Thank you for coming to “stay”!
Love your guest cottage. It is quintessential Maine. You are the best hostess.
Thank you, Suzie! I wanted to give my guests that quintessential Maine experience! Thanks for coming to visit!
I absolutely love your guest house. We are getting older and need to down size and I honestly think I could live full time in a cottage that size. Absolutely beautiful!
Hi Catherine! Thank you! I did live in the guest cottage for 6 months while the house was being built. I did have two dogs and two cats, but it did feel small after a while, haha!
Thanks so much for the virtual visit! I actually feel refreshed as if I really visited. Your decor is beautiful and welcoming and the activity choices are just perfect. Have fun with your family and friends when they arrive. You have created just the right atmosphere for a visit.
I am so happy you came to “visit”, Pat! I am glad you enjoyed yourself! 🙂
Oh Molly I so enjoyed my Saturday visit to the cottage. Also the blueberry muffins were 😋. You’ve thought of every detail to make your guest feel loved and appreciated. I hope the crib didn’t come in a million pieces. Enjoy the beginning of summer/guest season. You will have to share with us the deliciousness you whipped up in the kitchen for your family and friends.
Hi Julie! Thank you for coming to “stay”! The crib wasn’t too bad. Ran into some issues with the mattress, though. Had to send the one I ordered back and make a last minute mattress run to Walmart. All ready now!
Oh my goodness! This is the cutest cottage ever! I love it. The perfect place to rest and relax.
Hi Renae! Thank you! I wanted it to be a special retreat for family and friends! Happy summer!
Thank you for such a lovely visit, it was wonderful. The place is beautiful, as are the views. Happy Summer!
Hi Samela! Thank you for coming to “visit”! Happy summer to you too!
Hi Molly. I am on my way to visit your cottage for the Summer. We haven’t met yet, but I am sure we will be friends. I’m a very good guest. LOL!
Seriously, your cottage is perfect in every way. The perfect Maine cottage. Thank you for letting us all visit virtually.
I love the colors and of course the views. Enjoy your visiting friends and family
Haha! I am sure you are a wonderful guest! And I did invite you — well, virtually, at least! I am so glad you enjoyed the cottage!
Molly, This was fun and how great to be your guesst! You have created the perfect cottage and I love that even thought it’s snug, it has the most expansive and pretty views. The kitchen is darling and I love that cookbook.. You added the coolest found things.. It’s wonderful your kids have their own little space when they come..Have a great time with them all.
i need to use some of your ideas for my time cabin.. I have a quilt just like that from my great grandmother made of her old house dresses. I should put it out.
Love this! Have a wonderful weekend . xo
Hi Kim! Yes, the wall of windows looking down to the water really opens the place up! Your Tahoe cabin is so special! I know you will do wonderful things with it — once the snow melts, haha! Thanks so much for coming to “stay”!
Molly:
Ya are Awesome Hostess, would stay at your guest cottage sure would be hard to leave. It is so thoughtfully detailed designed.
You sure know how to pull out the Red Carpet, and all.
Thank you
⚓️💙🌲🛶💙⛵️
Aw, thank you, Karen! I do love to have family and friends come to stay, so I want them to have a special time!
Oh man, I would be quite happy to spend the whole summer there! I love the pillow fabrics and blue/white upholstery on the chair. Enjoy the weekend!
Thanks, Lynda! Summer in Maine is wonderful! Hope you had a nice weekend too!
what a fun blog! loved staying in my favorite place in maine and doing all my favorite things! the cottage is extra cute with the new bedding! have fun with all the family coming! cant wait till it is my turn!
amy
Thanks, Amy! Can’t wait for all of you to come in July! The crib is all set up in the waterside guest room for Jamie! (Just for naps — they’ll be in the guest cottage at night.)
Molly!
I’m all in! Don’t know when but I’ll be coming!
This morning I opened and started reading the new Emily Henry bestseller, “Happy Place.” I was blown away!
This is how it starts…
From “Happy Place” by Emily Henry
A cottage on the rocky shoreline, with knotty pine floorboards and windows that are nearly always open. The smell of evergreens and brine wafting in on the breeze, and white linen drapes lifting in a lazy dance. The burble of a coffee maker, and that first deep pull of cold ocean air as we step out onto the flagstone patio, steaming mugs in hand.
All I could see is is your home and guest cottage!!
The sights, sounds, smells, tastes and touches of Maine!
Your home and blog in an opening paragraph!
Can’t wait to experience it!
Until then I’ll continue to read your posts!
❤️
sail2forever
I just started reading that book last night! And yes, it is perfectly evocative what summers are like here! Substitute “wooden porch floor” for “flagstone patio”, though! Thanks for following along with me and taking the time to say hi!