Making Memories on Coastal Maine

Written by Crystal Ward Kent
Photographed by Greg West
Produced by Marsha Jusczak

Christmas on the coast of Maine conjures up a flurry of impressions—the scent of balsam mingling with salt air, snow-covered rocks, and the shimmer of lights on water. Christmas in the home of Mary Kett and her husband Alden Bianchi is all of these things and much more—for each Christmas is a poignant reminder of Mary’s joy at being alive.

“In 2007, not long after we started building this house, I contracted the dangerous bacterial infection MRSA,” Mary related. “It went into my lungs, and I was deathly ill—the doctors gave me only a thirty percent chance of surviving. I love to decorate for Christmas, but wasn’t able to, so my friends decorated for me. It was touching; there they were, putting up the tree and stringing garland about. But I was too sick to make it home from the hospital. Then in 2008, I was finally well and in my new home at last. It was so special to have family and friends here for the holidays—a memorable celebration. Each year, I’m especially grateful at the holidays—for my health and having such wonderful people in my life.”

Mary and her husband work in Massachusetts, but she grew up summering on the coast of Maine. She always loved Ogunquit, and in 1997, bought her first home there. Over time, she bought and sold several homes in the area, and then a plot of land on Adam’s Island in Perkins Cove caught her eye.

“There had been an old dwelling there but it had been removed,” she recalled. “I did some investigating and found that it was possible to build a house in that location, so I bought the land. I knew it would be a challenging lot—it’s very narrow, with lots of rocks, but gorgeous. It’s right on the ocean, and since it’s in Perkins Cove, it’s in the middle of everything. We see the fishing boats come and go, and all the little shops and the Marginal Way are nearby. We can walk everywhere. It’s perfect.”

Mary hired Ralf Amsden of Living Spaces Architects in Rye, New Hampshire as her architect. Fitting the 3,000-square-foot home into the narrow 22-foot lot was a tight squeeze, but Ralf made it work. He gave the façade interest by adding an octagon-shaped segment with a balcony, and broke up the roofline with gables. The home’s neutral gray tones fit perfectly with Maine’s rocky coast. Inside, Ralf’s design gave Mary and Alden dramatic ocean views from every room, fulfilling Mary’s goal of bringing the outside in. “I wanted a house that felt like a home,” Mary said. “We have a lot of extended family and good friends, and love to have company. We wanted everyone to feel comfortable and welcome here, and they do.”

The dining room, living room and library all flow from one into the other, but a graceful arch between the living room and library adds visual interest and keeps the long expanse from having what Mary called, “the bowling alley effect.”

The living room is in the octagonal part of the house, in a color scheme of ocean hues, with walls in a sand tone and cozy furniture in shades of blue. Blue and white pillows with marine themes are splashed about. A large area rug, white as ocean spray and bordered with sea stars on a field of blue, anchors the living area, while the coffered ceiling adds dimension. Off to one side of the living room, by the windows, a backgammon table gets frequent action, as both Mary and Alden are ardent players.

By contrast, in the nearby library, wood-paneling and handy bookshelves surround a welcoming fireplace. Spectacular views from the large windows and a pale blue rug remind one of the ocean just steps away.

Interior designer Louise Hurlbutt of Hurlbutt Designs in Kennebunk, Maine admitted that the house presented some design challenges. “Adding an architectural detail such as the arch to define the entrance to the library was essential to break up such a long, narrow expanse,” she said. “In the living room, the large bordered rug repeats the pattern of the coffered ceiling, helping to pull the space together. However, since the room is an octagon, getting a rug sized to fit was not easy. I had to have one custom cut and a border applied. But the result was worth it.”

For the holidays, Mary sets out a lovely tree in the space between the library and the living room. The tree is decorated with white lights, red bows and numerous gold ornaments that she has collected over the years. Wreaths, adorned with sea stars, shells, pine cones and classic red velvet bows frame the windows and grace the mantle in the library. Stockings hanging from the mantle are a family tradition. A garland, glittering with fairy lights, winds down the staircase, while poinsettias add punches of vivid color about the home.

“In the evenings, we love to turn out all the lights save for those on the tree and the garland, and just sit and watch the moon rise over the water,” said Mary. “It is simply beautiful.”

Mary and Alden entertain frequently through the holidays and the dining room is often in use. The soothing sand-toned walls are repeated here, and a deep blue rug scattered with white sea stars echoes the ocean theme. On the wall are Mary’s beloved sconces, which are mirrored with gold and silver and have blue and white striped shades. “I love these!” she exclaimed. “I didn’t want dripping crystal chandeliers, but I wanted something elegant. These are perfect.”

The graceful Regency-framed bergère chairs with their powder blue cushions are from The Althorp Collection; the House of Althorp was the ancestral home of Princess Diana (Lady Diana Spencer). Charles Spencer, Diana’s brother and the ninth Earl of Spencer, has allowed reproductions of actual pieces found at their country estate to be made and sold in limited edition. “Louise carries some of this line,” said Mary. “As it turned out, Charles Spencer actually came to her shop and signed a drawer in one of the tables. That table now sits in my library.”

During the holidays, Mary sets a festive table with bright red placemats, lots of red candles in holiday-themed holders, china decorated with Christmas trees, and her traditional arrangement of paperwhites. Mary wanted the kitchen kept simple. It is light and airy with white bead board cabinets and island against sand-toned walls and smooth hardwood floors. Over the island hang stunning blown glass lamps in glittering blue, which pick up the blue hues of the adjacent living room. In December, Mary adds a touch of Christmas with an evergreen centerpiece on the island, and a basket full of greenery, sea stars, shells and cones adorns the nearby doorway.

Upstairs, the master bedroom is a peaceful, dreamy space decorated completely in cool blue and white. Since it sits above the living room, it is an octagonal shape, with a coffered ceiling rising into a cathedral design. Louise filled the room with relaxing pieces—a white daybed, overstuffed chairs with matching ottomans, and a star-shaped light fixture that gives off graceful shadows. The modified canopy bed is also from The Althorp Collection, while an antique altar table displays Asian figures. On the fireplace mantle, clear white ginger jars nest in a garland of holiday greenery. “I glazed the walls blue in the bedroom to give them a restful patina and bring in that feeling of ocean and sky,” said Louise.

Mary brings her holiday cheer outside as well, decorating the house’s exterior with wreaths and lights. Her glittering tree is clearly visible through the home’s large windows.

“The lobstermen tell us they can see our tree as they approach the cove,” said Mary. “We are kind of a beacon for them, welcoming them home.”