Finally, after years of planning, design and construction, we are adding the finishing touches to Cozy Harbor Wharf and “Oliver’s”, the new lobster shack and ice cream bar located adjacent to the community pier in Southport Maine.  Formerly the site of Gus Pratt’s store, the renovated building is an artful blend of new and old. 

After removing a couple of age-worn additions (including a 3-lane bowling alley), the original post and beam barn was picked up, rotated and set back down on a new concrete pier. 

Renovation of the entire building occurred over this past winter, and the interior is currently being outfitted with a custom kitchen, bar, seating area and a 2nd floor outdoor terrace with an incredible view of the harbor.

The color palette has a fresh and cheery retro-nautical theme.

Knickerbocker Group designers are working with Charles Duvall to design an awning for the sunny southwest corner of the building, offering both shade and weather protection for the outdoor area on the pier.

We were so excited to find this classic neon sign at an architectural salvage store in Portland:

Our talented craftsmen at Knickerbocker Woodworking have re-purposed the bowling alley floor into a stunning curved bar for the soda counter.  Table tops will be finished off with the same reclaimed material.

Tentatively scheduled for a late May opening, we hope to see you at Oliver’s this summer!

The April issue of Down East Magazine has a “Best of Maine 2012″ Readers’ Choice Ballot – we would love your support!  Please consider writing in Knickerbocker Group as “Best Architect” and “Best Builder” under the Home Improvement category.  We appreciate your help in getting our incredibly talented designers and builders recognized for their contributions to quality home improvement in the state of Maine!

Exciting news… a portion of the Blog Cabin 2012 property has been donated to the Medomak Valley Land Trust!  The 30-acre tract stretches between Dutch Neck and Gross Neck Roads and includes frontage on Peters Pond.  This beautiful wooded area abuts 18 acres already protected by a conservation easement.  Read more on the DIY Network blog:  http://blog.diynetwork.com/blogcabin/2012/03/14/preserving-land-for-future-generations/

Projecting sink basins for easy access.

Curbless shower, elegant and portable teak seat

Elaine Murdoch, Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer at Knickerbocker Group, is now one of a select group of professionals nationwide to earn the CAPS, Certified Aging in Place Specialist designation. This certification identifies her as a designer with the knowledge and skills to create living spaces that enable older or physically challenged persons to remain comfortably in their own homes.

While geared to renovation, the CAPS design concepts can be applied to new construction as well. The broader field of Universal Design promotes principles of making homes accessible or “visitable” by people of all abilities, from elderly parents to your young grandchildren. Incorporating these principles ensures your residence is safe and convenient but doesn’t require your home to look like an institution. In fact, the majority of these design techniques and products are subtle and unnoticeable, but much appreciated should you need them.

“I’m thrilled to help people proactively design for future needs, or to modify an existing home for accessibility and ease of living independently,” said Elaine. For additional information about the CAPS program, visit www.nahb.org/caps. For more information about Elaine’s CAPS design services at Knickerbocker Group, please call 207-633-3818.

Thank you so much to the wonderful people at Maine Home + Design / Maine magazine for hosting a “Welcome to Portland” party for the Knickerbocker Group! What a night… they opened up their beautiful  space, added delicious food and drink from Aurora Provisions and Cellardoor Winery, and filled it with some of the most creative and talented people in the state.  We are so excited to be a part of it all!  (see more photos from Huck Photography on Maine Home + Design’s facebook page)

We are working with Mathews Brothers on a variety of projects, most notably Blog Cabin 2012 and Cozy Harbor Wharf. Since Blog Cabin’s team was here to film the install of these beautiful windows, we were fortunate enough to get a glimpse into the world of window making. Mathew Brothers, the country’s oldest window manufacturer gave us a behind-the-scenes look at how they do windows. 

Very warm welcome from the Mathews Brothers Team!

Sam – the camera man, Grace – Media Producer, and the Mathews Brothers team.

We are using these historic sashes at Cozy Harbor Wharf, which are puttied by hand. These women are very fast and meticulous at what they do!

Adding the Argon.

A sneak peak of the windows at Blog Cabin! These beautiful windows from the Noah Merrill line have a wood interior, with a white composite exterior. Because these are not painted, very little maintenance is required! Add to that the historical integrity, and these windows were made for Blog Cabin 2012!