In Southwest Harbor, Maine, a 19th-century family house is opened up as a stylish destination for travellers.

Diane and Jay Speakman are fairly new to the Maine lodging scene, but Rice Cottage has been part of the Southwest Harbor landscape since 1874. Jay's great-grandfather, who ran the town's general store, once owned it, as did Jay's grandparents and parents. When Jay's mother died, the Spearman's weighed tradition and economics, and decided to transform the private residence into a seasonal rental. Rice Cottage offered Diane, a retailer and decorator, a new space to express her soothing and gracious home style. It afforded her husband a proper place for family heirlooms and maritime mementos. The house was in good shape; most of the needed changes were cosmetic. Diane and Jay supervised the renovations--fresh paint and a kitchen redesign--from Little Cranberry Island, where they summer with their two daughters.

Pictured: The back of the house opens onto a large, hilly field.



Neutral Living Room

When selecting furnishings, Diane looked for pieces with graceful silhouettes, reflected in the coffee table, which she revitalized with white paint, and a 19th-century carved mahogany chair that she slipcovered. Gauzy curtains, substituted for old pull-down shades, filter the northern light. The ambiance is casual and comfortable. Soft, natural textiles used throughout create a warm elegance. Rice Cottage, an idyllic base for a Maine adventure, is a treat to come home to.




Dining room

There are good restaurants up the street, but the desire to eat in is strong. A c. 1840 cabinet from Jay's father's Delaware family home showcases Jay's great-grandfather's Spode china. That stays locked. Guests use sturdy ironstone instead. There's a Wolf stove in the kitchen. "People thought we were crazy to put that in a rental, but I've rented this place just because of it," says Diane.



Soft White Kitchen

Rice Cottage is rented by the week, between Memorial Day and the end of October (the house sleeps six and a deposit is required). "Our guests appreciate what we've created," says Jay.




Vintage Wallpaper

Preexisting vintage wallpaper sets a sweet tone for Diane's romantic spin on nautical style.




Unique Details

At Rice Cottage, Diane and Jay Speakman keep it simple. Against a background of vintage wallpaper, uncluttered compositions combine antiques and natural elements like rocks.




A Rustic Touch

Diane adds an unexpected touch to this table with naturally-shed moose antlers.




Coastal Loft

The addition's loftlike space is decorated in hues of blue and white, which convey a fresh coastal mood.




Peaceful Bedroom

Smocked curtains recall a simple voile dress and a polka-dot table skirt flirts with nostalgia. Lamps are important to Diane, because the ambient lighting casts a comforting glow in rooms.





photo credit: Keller