Last week I took a last minute jaunt up to Maine with a friend to go to to the Kennebunkport Food Wine Art Festival. There was nautical decor, sailing, music, artwork, and lots of eating and drinking. I also had the opportunity to tour many of the inns in the area, check out the decor of the rooms, common lounges, and grounds.
One of the most fun was The Cottages at Cabot Cove, a collection of sixteen tiny cottages in Kennebunkport, on a picturesque bit of water. Each of the cottages was darling and decorated by a different interior designer. This on above, called “Float In”, has a distinctly nautical feel reinforced by a wall of windows that offers views of the water and the inn’s dock. It’s almost as though you’re staying on a private yacht.
The living area was designed with a limited palette of navy, white and details of brass, like the brass pendant light fixture. It featured striped seat cushions over the sisal rug, which was perfect under the slipcovered sofas (with navy piping). A model sailboat, nautical flags and oars completed the decorative effect.
The kitchen (not shown) was designed with white cabinetry and a ship-like wood countertop. There was also a brass faucet and porthole details to complete the look.
The bedroom (not shown) featured brass wall sconces with articulating arms on either side of the bed. There were crisp white linens with blue and white striped shams that coordinated with the blue and white throw pillows.
To get this ship-shape style at home, start with a Sung Collection Niassa Area Rug (5), made in India from 100 percent jute fiber. It’s durable, and feels good on bare feet.
A Brynn Montague Slipcover Sofa (4) in Indigo is a sharp seating selection, especially if there are kids. No dirty footprints from the dog either!
The American Drew by La-Z-Boy Tray Top Cocktail Table (7) is rugged and practical with a tray top so stuff won’t slide off, and a bottom shelf for magazines and jigsaw puzzles which are essential for summer fun.
Feet off the table please. Instead, put them up on a Skipper Nautical Stripe Navy and White Pouf (8). Get a pair; they work well as additional seating in a pinch too.
Extra light is needed at night and rainy days, of which hopefully there will be few. The Oar Shaped with Burlap Shade Floor Lamp fits right in with the nautical theme.
Above, add shine and a touch of traditional elegance with a brass light fixture, such as the Possini Euro Icaria Brass Pendant Light (1).
Use artwork to further the theme. A piece like the Anchor Framed Silhouette Wall Art (2) looks good in multiples, just vary the shapes and/or colors.
The finishing touch? An authentic replica of a ship. We love the Penduick Sailboat Model (6), which is based on historical photographs and crafted by artisans using "plank on frame" construction.
Image credit: Kennebunkport Resort Collection