HG Openhouse Blog

This rocky coast could only be in Maine.

Summer vacations on the New England Coast–all the way from Old Saybrook, CT, up to Bar Harbor and beyond with stops at Newport, Cape Cod, Cape Anne–evoke memories for so many. Lighthouses, seagulls, digging for clams, sand castles, oysters on a half-shell, shovels and pails, and–of course–lobsters! These Atlantic Ocean images could actually come from Long Island, the Jersey shore, or Chesapeake Bay, but we’ve opted to centralize our thinking on coastal Maine.

Two stars of the Maine diet are lobsters and strawberries–together they could almost make a complete meal! And how great it was that we found both as the stars of our fabric and paint chip board. Red, white and blue is the palette of choice–perfect for summer memories including the Fourth of July. And also pefect for all those red lobsters and berries! Maine style also includes plaids, sailboat images, and some hand-crafted patchworks, like this denim patch perfect for summer pillows.

Patriotic colors for our Bar Harbor fabric board.

So, now that’s we’ve got food on our mind, let’s focus on a Maine clambake lunch on a redwood table out in the sun. It’s simple to pull this concept together whether you live in New England or New Mexico! (Though you might have some trouble finding the lobsters in the Southwest). We found a collection of red/white/and/blue placemats and napkins to hold our repast. Strawberries, corn and potatoes wait in white enamelware, beverages are ready in a red enamelware caddy complete with bottle-opener, and lobsters and clams are kept warm in a large red enamelware pot. Of course, your pot could actually be holding chicken fried steak or Spanish paella.

Red, white and blue lobster lunch.

There is no dearth of red, white and blue product to help create the Bar Harbor look in other areas as well. Staying out of doors, we developed a small seating area on the deck utilized red, white and blue stripe cushions on teak chairs. A napkin caddy in the same colors is ready to catch lap spills from the bright red plastic glasses about to hold a favorite beverage. What a perfect spot to catch a few rays.

Relaxing on the deck, Bar Harbor style.

Pulling together a quick makeover to capture a bit of Down East Maine style is easy with our red, white and blue color palette. You can implement just such a plan for your own Fourth of July celebration or at any point during the summer months.

Our round the world tour has come to an end. We’ve showcased ten different looks that you can graft onto your home for summer decor, evoking road trips that you don’t even need to make! We hope you’ve been inspired to try an exotic makeover of your own, be it from one of our ten destinations or one of your own. I’ve enjoyed all of your comments and questions and I’ll continue to check for both in the days ahead. Have a healthy and happy summer, one and all!