The essence of Maine captured in a dream like setting; waterbirds calling in the cove, towering pine trees, flowering landscape surround this extraordinary home. This two-story Maine lodge and four acres of gardens lead down to 1,300 feet of rocky shore and dock.
Featured in New England Coastal Living and Maine Design publications, you feel immediately at home from the moment you turn into the driveway. This light filled shingle house has massive stone chimneys and large double height windows. The interior of this classic Maine lodge features barn wood beams, stone floors, and is filled with antiques and art.
Every convenience and state of the art system make this home comfortable and efficient. The use of antique doors, hardware, European design and furnishings makes the house feel as if families have been gathering and vacationing together for many generations. Whether you wander in the woods, enjoy the flower gardens, see what is ripe in the garden, hop along the rocks on the shore or find a spot to read or sun: you are always relaxed and absorb the pleasure of sheer leisure.
The large private dock and protected tidal cove just off Townsend Gut are another magnet for staying put from early morning till night. Watch the light on the water, savor early morning coffee, lazy sunset drinks, or night-time stargazing. Or when you build up your energy, go kayaking, take a brisk swim, or go clamming at low tide.
Whether lazy or active, you will find ARDEN warm and cozy, and a perfect vacation spot for a celebrating a special occasion for two or a gathering of friends and family. Like Maine itself, it offers a wonderful sense of life as it should be. There is even a mooring out in the cove for the dedicated boater.
The house and gardens were designed working closely with prominent Boston architects and landscape designers incorporating barn timbers, a granite fireplace, wide-board floors.-- and even a massive 15 ft barn door, and two felled trees. This two year labor of love was completed in 2005 by a team of fine Maine craftsmen.
The romantic master bedroom and sitting area overlook the cove and a two-story stone bathroom is complete with a massive granite walk in rain shower. The main floor includes a double height living room with a magnificent stone fireplace. The gourmet cooks dream kitchen and two-story dining room overlook from the hall above and a large cherry dining table table and Windsor chairs invite leisurely dining and hours of good conversation.
There is also a comfortable sitting room and adjacent library with comfy seating, wood burning stove, and media cabinet. The end of the house opens onto a screened-in porch with ceiling fan and adarondak rockers for conversation, quiet retreat, and enjoying Maine evening breezes and views of the water. The laundry room, pantry, and guest bath complete the first floor all leading off a large two story hall/gallery with clear-story windows above.
The second floor consists of three spacious, light filled bedrooms with vaulted ceilings and beautiful views of the water and surrounding landscape. Two of the bedrooms share a spa-like bathroom suite featuring a sauna and walk-in rain shower highlighted by contemporary Italian fixtures. The third 'double' bedroom is a self contained suite featuring one area with a double bed, a separate with area with two single beds divided by a full bathroom. Antiques and soft woven rugs everywhere look and feel like you have indeed returned to the home you remember from your childhood.
When you are ready to venture out, a five minute drive will take you to downtown Boothbay Harbor--quintessential Maine seacoast harbor where you can explore the eclectic mix of shops and galleries, get in a round of golf, and take in a live performance. You can experience the working waterfront and fleet of fishing boats, enjoy the annual parade of schooners, or get out on the water yourself for a sail, a whale watch, a lighthouse tour, or even a day trip to Monhegan Island where artists have summered for generations to paint. In between you can hike on one of the Conservation nature trails or enjoy a fresh lobster feast dockside. Heading north, a five minute car ride will bring you to the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. Just taking a drive in itself allows one to take in the natural beauty of coastal Maine and the opportunity to discover the many still little changed villages and harbors.
