Studio by the Sea: Winslow Homer in Maine

We're headed to Maine this weekend again and on my list is, now was, to tour the newly restored Winslow Homer Studio. (I love a historic house!) The studio, renovated and restored by the Portland Museum of Art, is located in Prouts Neck, Maine, about a two hour ride north of Boston. The tours are only open to Portland Museum of Art members at the moment, hence us not being able to go this weekend sadly. But starting next Friday, May 31st, the rest of us non-museum members can call to make reservations for a tour. I'm hoping to make it later this summer! I put all the details at the bottom of this post so we could get to the photos, which is, honestly what we're looking for here.

The restored Studio and its ocean view

Not a bad way to spend the day

Homer moved from New York to this Studio in 1884. He came to Prouts Neck, Maine because his brother was buying up land to create a vacation destination for travelers, lucky him. 

The man himself, Winslow Homer. Good looking mustache I might add.

The Portland Museum of Art purchased the building in 2006 and got to work on the long fund-raising program before the actual long hard work of the restoration began. 

Restoration work in progress. Exterior paint chips were analyzed for accuracy, architectural details (see below) appreciated, and a full historical report produced so the Studio was restored as accurately as possible. 

Amazing roof detail at the porch level, or piazza, as Homer called it

Paintings and illustrations by Homer are on view at the Portland Museum of Art, which is also a great way to finish up the day. (More on what to do in Portland in another post.)

Weatherbeaten, view from location very close to Studio, see below

Here's a cool map from the New York Times that shows the location of where some of Homer's most famous paintings were painted. 

Interior shots from an Architectural Digest preview article

Here are the details:
Tickets are $55 for non-members, no refunds of exchanges. Ticket gets you a two and half hour tour in a small group of ten people and transportation to the Studio from the Portland Museum of Art by van, no meeting at the Studio, I asked. Kids under seven are not allowed, for better or worse depending on who you ask. Summer season is June 23 - Sept 4th. Tours given on Mondays and Fridays 10:30am and 11:45am. Weekend tours start with their Fall season, September 4th through October 15th. For reservations call (207) 775-6148.

Email me if you're planning a visit and want some suggestions for accommodations or other things to do near Portland: info@ermillerdesign.com.

Here's to the start of summer!

Photos courtesy of Portland Museum of Art and Architectural Digest

Not Ready To Let Go Of Summer Yet

If you're still looking for a place to get away, using summer as an excuse or not, Hidden Pond in Kennebunkport, Maine, could be just the spot for you. Just about an hour and a half north of Boston, Kennebunkport is a great place to visit this time of year when the summer crowds are dwindling but the summer feeling, lobster roll included, is still calling.  

Open from Memorial Day until Halloween, Hidden Pond is new to Kennebunkport, where much needed modern design related businesses are popping up everywhere. One developer, Tim Harrington, is leading the charge and Hidden Pond is a great example of just one of the cool spaces he's been busy bringing to Kennebunkport.

The resort feels like a sophisticated summer camp for grown ups with kids more than welcome. They call it "flip-flop chic" on their website - not sure how I feel about that. Using salvage materials as well as new pieces with a slight industrial and retro camp-like feel, each building that makes up Hidden Pond is unique and well done.

The Reception building at Hidden Pond

The Farm where vegetables are grown and used at Earth, Hidden Pond's restaurant

Amenities are everywhere, from the free bikes for peddling around, to the pool side bar, to nightly bonfires behind their gourmet restaurant Earth.

The Back Porch Bar

Usually not a fan of new developments, I was surprised by Hidden Pond. What I enjoy about it is how each building fits into its surroundings, not too big, not too small, and the fact that each building has its own design. Though it is all new, Hidden Pond allows you to feel like it belongs there, with each cottage having its own personality through its design, inside and out. Some vintage furniture is used and I'm pretty sure some DIY was involved, taking the edge off of the high-end design and making it more comfortable for a wider audience. (Though the prices might not be for the widest of audiences.)

A bungalow with simple and clean architectural details 

Inside one of the bungalows 

Once you've had enough alone time in your private cottage (there are different styles you can pick when you book), you can take in the wooded views on the porch of the lodge or...

let Hidden Pond drive you from your vacation front door to the pool, to dinner, even to the beach for sunset in their exclusive 1957 vintage Ford Station Wagon, affectionately named Bessie. 

As for the beach part, don't worry, they have you covered on that front as well. Hidden Pond's sister development is The Tides Beach Club, located right on Goose Rocks Beach. 

End your vacation, like I did (though I'm lucky enough to call Kennebunkport part-time home) with a bonfire and a cocktail, and yes, I was wearing flip flops. So OK, maybe it is flip flop chic.

Well designed, well executed, and worth the trip. 

Additional photos courtesy of Hidden Pond and The Tides Beach Club