When Boston-based clients purchased a rugged, circa 1980s Rockport dwelling, the pair had big plans and, arguably, an even bigger vision. They pictured a clean, modern minimalism for the interiors of the structure that would serve as a vacation rental for the next decade before they could move in permanently to make the house perched above the rocky coastline their full-time home.
“Timeless design is much easier in some projects than others, and this one was a challenge,” admits Abigail Shea, designer and proprietor of Abigail Shea Interiors in Portland. “The obvious classic elements like crown molding and subway tile did not feel appropriate for the house. I couldn’t lean into modern trends either, since they would be dated and disappointing when the clients eventually moved in down the line.”
Abigail employed a neutral palette, natural materials, and clean lines to modernize the home while steeping it in sophistication. “I chose subdued neutrals rather than stark blacks and whites, as the subtlety of a lower-contrast palette grounded the modern elements. We were very careful to add trendier features—like the paper lantern fixture above the dining table and the hypermodern bar stools—in temporary ways,” Abigail says.
Aesthetics aside, practicality also had a voice in the renovation. “In order for the house to look fresh in 10 years, the materials and furniture pieces had to be selected for long-term durability,” Abigail says, referencing her choices of slate bathroom flooring, stainless steel appliances and quartzite countertops for the kitchen, and stain-resistant outdoor fabric for the sofas. Especially taken with the home’s geographic location and natural surroundings, Abigail included organic materials such as rope, linen, wood, and antiquated maritime artifacts as a nod to the significance and ancestry of Maine’s midcoast.
The result? A home that feels undeniably contemporary but, most importantly, reflective of its place; historically, currently, and for futurity. After all, as Abigail says, “What could be more timeless than the land?” A sentiment that renters and Abby’s clients will appreciate for many years to come.
