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

Coastal Maine Lobster Shack

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!

Molly

Highlighting coastal decor and lifestyle, Maddie and Cisco, and the way life should be...

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