Ellen Ruby Blog's: Storybook Cottage in Maine Awaits a Buyer Who Loves Whimsical Design

Friday, 22 January 2021

Storybook Cottage in Maine Awaits a Buyer Who Loves Whimsical Design

A whimsical house that’s part castle and part storybook cottage is waiting for its first inhabitant.

“There’s a sign right at the door that says ‘Clear mind before entering,’” says the listing agent, Jonathan Tindal. “[The] spaces really foster introspection, but also opportunity for intimate conversations and collaboration. … It’s obviously a very unique style.”

Finished in 2019, the cedar shake house on My Way in Boothbay, ME, is on the market for $377,000.

It’s one of several houses designed by the artist and builder David Lee and his wife, Jenny, that incorporate an intoxicating blend of fantasy and whimsy. There are turrets, nooks, benches that pull out of the wall, hanging chairs, suspended bunks, beds that slide, and more.

The residence packs a lot of eclectic design into a relatively small footprint.

“We’re just scratching the surface. There are so many little nuances to this house and this property that I bring people in, and I give them the complete tour, pointing out all of the clever features and useful features. Then I turn them loose, to just enjoy it and take it in,” Tindal says.

Exterior of home in Boothbay, ME
Jonne Trees

The 2,000-square-foot home, built from wood and stone, features intricate wood carvings, stained-glass windows, and handmade light fixtures. And while the listing photos are simply dreamy, they can’t convey the totality of the home’s design.

“I think that for people who choose to come and look at this house, it’s because this style very genuinely intrigues them,” Tindal says.

“Given all of the nuances of the design and finishes and construction, there’s no way that viewing online can even come close to matching what the experience will be like in person. It almost always exceeds expectations when people step through the door.”

The home sits on almost 2 acres and nominally comes with two bedrooms. The nontraditional build offers spaces that can be reconfigured, depending on an owner’s whims.

Tindal says people sometimes come in and ask where the master bedroom is. Technically, there isn’t one.

“It’s not a traditional floor plan by any means,” he says. “It’s a very unique living space, and I think that the idea is that we humans are very adaptable.”

The house has a one-car garage and a workshop with plenty of storage. There is one full bathroom and a half-bathroom.

Boothbay is a seasonal town whose population grows in the summer. However, this house has a unique heating system that can keep things warm and toasty in every season.

Tindal says that he knows the property isn’t for everyone, but that it will delight a buyer ready to appreciate all the wonderful nooks that it presents.

“There’s so much thought that went into this design,” he says. “It is extraordinarily unconventional, and for the right person, it’s going to hit on every level.”