Ocean Cliff

Bright white kitchen with floral accents, modern theme, and new appliances

Crisp and contemporary

The owner, who is also an interior designer, sought to achieve a contemporary home with a nautical flair and had a clear vision for how to do it. The white plaster walls, white-washed beams, and pale granite stones compliment the owner’s colorful custom furnishings and artwork.

‘A family that clams together, stays together’ is a favorite saying of our client, whose Maine cottage is more than just a summer getaway—it is a 3-generation family retreat.

– Design Team, Ocean Cliff

A view of the yard and outdoor dining area along the side of the Ocean Cliff house

With the ocean
never out of sight

The entry of the contemporary Maine cottage was designed for transparency, to entice guests with the water view beyond. On a site that offers 270-degree views of the shoreline, islands, and open ocean, the water view is a part of every room. The open plan is full of light, with large windows and doors to connect the indoor and outdoor spaces. Multiple seating areas are positioned to take advantage of different views.

Large windows and a lot of natural light in the kitchen at Ocean Cliff — **OCEAN CLIFF**ARCHITECT + BUILDER, Knickerbocker Group | INTERIOR DESIGNER, Stewart Reniers Design | PHOTOGRAPHER, Trent Bell

Frontal approach to the Ocean Cliff home with large picture window french doors

Large kitchen and dining area with natural light and contemporary pendant — **OCEAN CLIFF**ARCHITECT + BUILDER, Knickerbocker Group | INTERIOR DESIGNER, Stewart Reniers Design | PHOTOGRAPHER, Trent Bell

Marine life red wallpaper with lobsters, shellfish, coral, and more in the powder room at Ocean Ciff

Bright bedroom with sitting area, fireplace, and cathedral ceilings.

Indoor–outdoor connectivity

For each interior space, there is a companion outdoor space: the living and dining area opens to an entertaining porch; the master suite has a private curved porch cantilevered over the guest room terrace below; a grilling porch is just off the kitchen.

Covered entryway with unique lobster screen door and nautical theme.

Bright and cozy bunk room with built-in bunkbeds and ladder.

A bunkhouse created with grandkids in mind

While the main house has a room devoted to guest suites, the separate bunkhouse is all about the grandkids. The owners wanted the bunkhouse to be “rugged” and low maintenance, a rainy-day place for movies or board games, large enough for entertaining visiting friends—a private play space the kids can call their own.

The cathedral ceiling and open plan make the space feel larger than it is. Built-ins along perimeter walls provide custom daybeds and storage for housing bedding, games, and media. A small kitchenette divides the room to create a private bunk space for four.

Children on the dock with lobsters and the Ocean Cliff property in the background

A view of the patio under the deck with the expansive play area.

Covered deck with plenty of sitting space and coastal views

Outdoor natural stone table along the coastline at Ocean Cliff

A close-up of the outdoor dining area that is made of stone

Approach from the ocean to the Ocean Cliff property

A coastal retreat where
family comes first

The main house and the bunkhouse frame a big open yard with plenty of space for outdoor activities, lawn games, and lobster bakes, allowing this family to enjoy each other’s company summer after summer.