My coastal Maine cottage gets a summer refresh with fresh whites, crisp blue-and-white stripes, and sunny checks—just in time for Memorial Weekend (and beyond!).
Memorial Weekend
Happy Memorial Weekend!
I am away from home, somewhere I hope it’s feeling like summer.
And please—no rain! (More on that later…)
In preparation for my mid-week departure, I started this post last weekend. Back then, we weren’t experiencing anything close to summer weather in Maine.
Saturday was chilly, foggy, and wet. I actually considered turning the fireplace on—and I did turn on the heat in the bedroom.
Suffice it to say, the dreary weather left me completely uninspired to even move from my spot under a blanket on the couch. And it definitely didn’t put me in the mood to bring out summer decor.
But I am a dedicated content creator and blogger!! (Or so I keep telling myself…)
So I pulled myself up by the bootstraps and rallied — ish.
Luckily, Sunday was a bit warmer, with peeks of blue sky. In the end, I got everything done that I wanted to.
So today I’m sharing a little summer refresh in my coastal Maine cottage—fresh whites, crisp blue-and-white stripes, and sunny checks, just in time for Memorial Weekend (and beyond!).
I know you probably have fun outdoor activities planned, so let’s get right to it!
Lightening Up the Living Room
You know I love to change things up around the home to mark the seasons. It feels like a little celebration of all the beauty each one has to offer.
Right now, though, it feels like we’re barely even into spring. Memorial Day may be around the corner, but here in Maine the weather didn’t get the memo… So I’m easing into my warm-weather changes gradually.
Earlier this month, I brought out the blue-and-white striped slipcover for the loveseat and swapped in some fresh pillow covers. I also switched to the floral slipcovers on Maddie and Cisco’s favorite swivel chairs by the fireplace.
You can read about those changes in my blog post May on the Maine Coast | Blue Stripes, Bright Blooms, and Buoys.
Last week, I gave the fireplace mantel a little refresh.
Well, it appears that Captain Ward is here to stay! Not what I expected when I propped him on the mantel late last summer, but I love the sense of history he brings to my new-with-an-old-soul cottage.
And I have to say—so far, he’s looked smashing with all my seasonal decor!
For early summer, I added a tall Bristol glass vase on the left side. Right now, it holds foraged branches, but I plan to fill it with other seasonal blooms as we move forward. The milky white finish is a nice bright note, and the black-and-gold stylized floral design ties in beautifully with the portrait’s palette.
What is Bristol Glass?
Bristol glass originated in 18th-century England, but most of the pieces we see today—especially in the U.S.—date to the Victorian period (mid to late 19th century). Made in soft shades of blue or white and often hand-painted, this opaque glassware was produced both in England and later in the U.S., Though it mimicked porcelain in look, it was more affordable and widely accessible. You can still find it today online and in antiques stores at reasonable prices!
On the right side of the mantel, I leaned a simple black sailboat with a bare mast—a little nod to Captain Ward’s (fictional) sailing past.
And hanging from the top of the fireplace, draped just to his left, is a black-and-white nautical signal flag.
For the story of how Captain Ward came to be mine — and more information on nautical signal flags — read my post An Antique Portrait Late Summer Mantel Refresh. Be sure to read the comments, where many of you shared entertaining stories about Captain’s Ward past!
As a final summer touch in this space, I swapped the honey-colored drapes at the back windows for the white ones. They look so crisp and fresh!
Fresh Looks for the Dining Area
I made a couple changes in the dining area too!
Sixpenny Chairs
A little update on—and to—my Sixpenny chairs!
You may remember that back in March I replaced the fireside wicker chairs with fully slipcovered, cushioned chairs from Sixpenny. I wrote all about them in my post: Clean-lined and Comfy | My New Sixpenny Fireside Dining Chairs.
I’m happy to report that I’m still loving them! They’re everything I was hoping for—possibly even more.
Their clean-lined simplicity lets the beautiful stone fireplace take center stage. And they’re so comfortable, I’ve written many a blog post while curled up in one.
In fact, I’d be writing from one of them right now—if Tuck weren’t already asleep in the one with the water view. I just don’t have the heart to move him…
Yes, just like Maddie and Cisco with the living room swivel chairs, Izzie and Tuck have claimed these as their own. (Note to self: contact Sixpenny to see if they’re looking for a pair of spokescats.)
Last weekend, I&T’s favorite snooze spot got a seasonal update. You know how I love a good slipcover—they’re easy to clean, can be switched out seasonally, and add that perfect relaxed coastal feel.
Sixpenny generously included a pair of white covers with the chairs, and I’ve just swapped them in for summer. They look so clean and fresh—so coastal Maine!
Now, if anyone has tips for keeping cats from clawing their favorite chairs, I’m all ears. I’m currently using wide strips of clear packing tape (not exactly a design statement), but I’d love a longer-term solution. Help!
The details on my Sixpenny chairs:
Pair of Amelia Dining Chairs, downfill.
Light weight linen slipcovers in Oat Flour
Cotton linen slipcovers in Pacific Pearl
Cornishware
If it’s summer—or almost—then the Cornishware is out in the dining hutch.
To me, nothing says “coastal summer” like this happy blue-and-white striped English pottery. Legend has it that the “blue of the Cornish skies and the white crest of the waves” inspired its name and colors. An early Cornishware ad even described it as: “Blue of the Atlantic — White of the Cornish Clouds — Glisten of the Sea.”
So, last weekend, when it barely felt like spring here, I knew that bringing out my Cornishware would carry me straight into summer mode. And as I handled each piece, I was charmed all over again—sugar and flour shakers, egg cups, storage jars, curvy pitchers, a teapot, and bowls in every size. All dressed in joyful blue and white stripes.
Come on summer, I’m ready for you!
You can read all about Cornishware in my blog post: Coastal Blue and White | My Cornishware Hutch.
A Classic Check for the Cottage Kitchen
I recently upgraded the sink skirt in the kitchen!
A couple of years ago, I removed the under-sink cabinet doors and replaced them with a skirt. The kitchen is full of hard surfaces, and I wanted to add a little softness. Plus some color. And of course—pattern!
To start, I used a simple tension rod and sewed a basic skirt with a pocket opening at the top. Such an easy, fun change! A great way to test out the idea of a sink skirt.
(Even easier: purchase a café curtain and use iron-on tape to get the right length!)
For variety, I had a few seasonal skirts I rotated in and out. But this spring, I was ready to make a bigger commitment—and a real upgrade.
Decorator fabric. A lining. Nice hardware.
Since I no longer plan to change it seasonally, I went with a classic blue-and-white check. You may have noticed I have a bit of a check thing going in the kitchen—painted floor, cabinet wallpaper, even the backsplash has a check-like look with blue tile and white grout. And now, the sink skirt! They all work together because the scale of the checks varies, from large to small.
The fabric is a linen/cotton Small Check in Antique Blue from Chelsea Fabrics. As I suspected (and hoped!), the blue is a perfect match with the floor. (I’ve said it before—my everyday superpower is matching colors!)
A quick note: Chelsea Fabrics only sells by the full yard. I needed less than two, but I’ll use the leftover for a lampshade. Also, shipping was steep—just over $40. (No, it didn’t come in a gold-plated box…) I almost looked elsewhere, but since this is a long-term update, I went with exactly what I wanted.
For the lining, I used a plain white bedsheet. It gives the skirt some weight and makes it hang nicely. Definitely worth the extra step!
The café rod and pinch rings are solid unlacquered brass from Rejuvenation. They’ll develop a lovely patina over time. I considered pinch pleats and rings, but decided to keep it simple with a classic cottage look.
I’m so happy with this small upgrade. The check is clean and crisp, and the brass hardware feels like a bit of jewelry that completes the outfit!
For more info on my painted checkerboard floor, visit my post: A Painted-Floor-Inspired Coastal Cottage Kitchen Refresh.
This Week Into Next
I can’t believe it’s Memorial Weekend!
It was a busy week getting everything done before heading out of town on Thursday
A Memorial Weekend Cycling Trip
Wondering where I’ve gone off to?
I’m in Lynchburg, Virginia on a short getaway with some of my cycling friends from my days in the D.C. area.
I shared a bit about this part of my life in my blog post My Exercise Routine | Feeling Great and Staying Motivated — how I used to ride outdoors with a group of friends I met through spin class at the gym. Over the years, we’ve biked across Iowa (RAGBRAI!), cycled through Tuscany, climbed to Crater Lake, and pedaled and camped our way through Maine.
Sadly, we haven’t ridden together since before the pandemic.
And I’ve missed it—and them—terribly. But this weekend, we’re back together for three days of fun on wheels!
They’ve kept up their riding, while I’ve been logging virtual miles on my bicycle-to-nowhere (aka the Peloton). Lots of miles… but still. I hope I can keep up!
Wish me luck! And fingers crossed we have sunny skies and no rain!
A Cozy Escape to the Cotswolds
Last Saturday, when the weather was dismal, I snuggled under a blanket and took a virtual trip to the Cotswolds with a Homeworthy tour of U.K. textile designer Vanessa Arbuthnott’s cottage.
Vanessa and her architect husband transformed a former cow barn into a vibrant family home, filled with cheerful color, joyful pattern, and artwork galore.
What I’m reading
I just finished Emily Henry’s latest, Great Big Beautiful Life. I love a good rom-com read—especially this time of year—and she never disappoints.
Now I’ve started After Annie by Anna Quindlen. Definitely no “com” in this one, but it’s said to be heartwarming. We’ll see!
Summer sheets incoming!
Looking ahead to summer, I ordered a new set of sheets! I was looking for something to work with bedding I already own and found a fun print from Garnet Hill. I’ll share them—and my summer bed—as soon as they arrive!
That’s it for this week, friends!
Take care and be well!
