1. Grand Foyer, Staircase, and Upstairs Hall
Vanessa Helmick, Fiore Interiors

“My design for the grand foyer and hall is inspired by organic coastal colors, Portland’s commitment to historic preservation, and Maine’s vibrant art community. Featuring art depicting Maine by Maine artists (some works date to the 1920s), the space is a celebration of Maine’s history and beauty.”

CREDITS Rugs: Julie Omsberg, Portland Rug Design. Artisan glassworks: Laura Fuller, Fuller Glass of Portland. Lighting fixtures: David Richard, House of Lights. Sewing services for draperies and pillows: Scissors and Seams. Contemporary and Maine heritage photography: Vox Photographs.

Vanessa Helmick launched her interior design career in southern California six years ago with a focus on residential interiors and real estate staging. In 2010, she moved to Portland in order to be closer to her family. The name of her firm, Fiore, is the Italian word for “flower” or “bloom,” which reflects her design philosophy that homes grow and evolve. Working within many design styles, she strives to make houses bloom into beautiful homes.

Fiore Interiors, P.O. Box 7686, Portland 04112. fioreinteriors.com. 207-318-0795. Vanessa@fioreinteriors.com

2. Study
Brett Johnson,
Maine Street Design Co.

“This room is an irresistible place to greet guests, warm yourself by the fire, or find sanctuary from your busy life. Art-filled walls are glazed in shades of tobacco and aubergine. There is a lovely secretary for writing and a fire seat upholstered in steel grey ultra suede with immaculate nail head trim. The seating area is defined by a figured wool and viscose carpet. Covered in soft luxurious cotton chenille, the sofa is flanked by a pair of tables and two extra-comfy parson chairs in deep, sculpted chenille, all accented by divine down pillows. The steel and glass coffee table adds a bit of sparkle. Windows are dressed in English-style natural linen curtains interlined in flannel bump with a tasteful trim.”

CREDITS Assistant designer: Lisa Morris, Maine Street Design Co. Custom upholstery: Alfred’s Upholstering/Maine Street Design Co. Wall finish: Karl Kamerath. Custom sewing: Alice Mobley/Maine Street Design Co. Metal work: Al Kronk. Art: ML Norton Art, artist Louise Philbrick, and the designer’s collection. Fabrics: Villa Romo and Fabricut. Trims: Samuel and Sons. Carpet: Bradford’s Rug Gallery. Lighting: Visual Comfort. Custom Secretary: New England. Cabinetry: Maine Street Mercantile. Framing: Casco Bay Frames.

The owner and principal designer of Maine Street Design Co., Brett Johnson, studied set design in New York City with John Nacaratto and John “Jack” Doepp. He has worked extensively in restaurant and retail store design in Maine, New York, and Miami, and he was a designer for eight years with Windemere Studios in Kennebunkport. Descended from a long line of Maine mariners, Johnson draws on his heritage to create interiors rooted in Maine tradition. He blends classic elements with the demands of modern living to create rooms that are inviting, comfortable, and reflective of their inhabitants’ personal style.

Maine Street Design. mainestreetdesign.com. 207-838-9792. brett@mainestreetdesign.com

3. Drawing Room
Debbie Kingry and James Light,
Simply Home/Banks
Design Associates, LTD

“By definition, a drawing room, where guests are received and entertained, is characterized by lighthearted elegance. Our goal was to capture this relaxed sophistication while portraying the allure and timelessness of the 1920s, when the exquisite Tudor Revival-style Hamlen House was built. The drawing room’s palette of soft grays, lavenders, and cream were inspired by the fireplace’s granite façade. The complementary array of textiles include the finest Belgian linen. In the bay window, a prominent yet understated desk draws attention to the glorious view of the Western Promenade.”

CREDITS Furnishings: Hickory Chair, Verellen, Touchwood, and Lee Industries. Fabrics and wall coverings: Kravet.

This is Debbie Kingry’s second Designers’ Show House. In 2007, her kitchen design for the Oakley Estate, a collaboration with New England Cabinetry, won the People’s Choice Award. A freelance interior designer in Indianapolis for fifteen years, Kingry moved to Maine in 2003 and founded Foreside Design in Falmouth. As a member of the Simply Home design team for the past two years, her many projects have included the 2010 Holiday Home Tour, a benefit for The Magical Moon Foundation.

Kingry’s design partner, James Light, is a veteran of five Designers’ Show Houses. Prior to joining Simply Home six years ago, Light was a freelance consulting designer. He also operated his own drapery workroom. He has made House Beautiful’s Top 100 American Designers list six times. His passion for elegance and simplicity is evident in the drawing room design.

Simply Home/Banks Design Associates, LTD, 172 U.S. Route 1, Falmouth 04105. simplyhomepage.com. 207-781-5651. james@simplyhomepage.com. deb@simplyhomepage.com

4. Atrium
Karen Gallagher,
Karen Gallagher Interiors

“My overall concept for the atrium is a modern, inviting, sophisticated space that is inspired by the traditional architecture but not a slave to it. I believe nothing looks more flat than a one-period room. Visual and emotional richness is created through the placement of antiques and vintage pieces alongside contemporary elements and colors. This is the hallmark of my custom interiors. I enjoy mixing different furnishing styles and textures and incorporating elements of surprise. The atrium’s furnishings and décor are compatible with the home’s character and patina, yet there also are hints of glamour and luster that reflect the homeowners’ upbeat, urban personalities.”

CREDITS Furniture: Cabot House Furniture. Lighting: Fogg Lighting. Flooring: Port City Flooring, Portland.

With more than fifteen years of experience in interior design, Karen Gallagher puts a fresh, lively twist on traditional style. She comfortably mixes unpretentious period furnishings and accessories with more relaxed, contemporary pieces. Combining a flair for making clients feel at ease with a realistic approach to decorating for families, Gallagher creates sophisticated, inviting spaces that exude warmth and vitality, while expressing the homeowners’ personal style.

Karen Gallagher Interiors, 25 Hazel Lane, North Yarmouth 04097. kgallagherinteriors.com. 207-829-6199; 207-650-6482. kgi@maine.rr.com

5. Dining Room
Linda Anne Banks, ASID,
Banks Design Associates, LTD

Linda Banks is a frequent design lecturer and juror around the country. She has taught architecture and design at Fairfield University and Rhode Island School of Design, been featured on HGTV, and has served as a consultant for Traditional Home magazine, the American Institute of Architects, and other industry partners. Her work has been featured in many national magazines, and her design for the Connecticut Special Olympics Show House won a prestigious American Society of Interior Designers award. Banks has a bachelor of fine arts in interior architecture from Rhode Island School of Design, and she has completed post-graduate studies at Yale School of Architecture. She is the founder of the architectural and interiors design firm, Banks Design Associates, LTD, and its sister retail showroom and design studio, Simply Home in Falmouth. This is Banks’ third Designers’ Show House.

Banks Associates, LTD, 172 Route One, Falmouth 04105. banksdesignassociates.com. 207-781-5651. Lb@banksdesignassociates.com

6 & 7. Butler’s
Pantry and Kitchen
Tracy Davis, Urban Dwellings

“From the street, the Hamlen House presents a sense of European formality. This grandness is reinforced throughout the interior spaces. This home’s lovely bones offer an opportunity to embrace the luxury and craftsmanship that makes it a personal West End favorite! We sought to capture the existing space, while making some gracious structural modifications to enhance flow and maximize efficiency. Our design aesthetic is European modern, striking a balance between the old with the new. The kitchen and its adjacencies are enlivened with the thoughtful use of color, textiles, light, and repurposed materials.”

CREDITS Construction: Geoff King, King Builders, LLC. Lighting: Greg Day, Greg Day Lighting. Wall finishes: Herb Clark, Chameleon Coatings. Upholstery: Frank and Jan Gagnon, Gagnon’s Upholstery. Tile: Old Port Specialty Tile. Plumbing Fixtures: Brian O’Neil, O’Neil Enterprises. Painting: John Paul Toohey, Toohey Painting. Fabrics: Kravet and Romo. Furnishings and accessories: The Marston House. Countertop: Morning Star Marble.

Tracy Davis’ designs are influenced by her travels through Europe, South America, and the United States. The founder of Urban Dwellings, she focuses on reinventing spaces with twenty-first-century flair and designing interiors that are uniquely proportioned, individually stylized, and dedicated to celebrating all aspects of lifestyles. She has taught interior design courses at the graduate and undergraduate levels at Boston Architectural College, and she has been guest speaker at various East Coast universities. Her newest venture, Studio Elements (studioelements.com), sells custom furnishings, accessories, uniquely restored pieces, and the work of Maine artisans.

Urban Dwellings, 422 1/2 Fore Street, Portland, Maine 04101. 419 Lafayette St., New York, N.Y. 10003. urban-dwell.com. 207-780-6136. tdavis@urban-dwell.com

8. Powder Room
Annie Kiladjian, Annie K Designs, LLC
Theresa Tomczyk, Distinctive Tile & Design

“When I sought inspiration for this beautiful Tudor home, I reflected on my first visit, when I had the feeling of walking into a small museum. The owners had used their home as a backdrop for their life’s treasures. Every room told a different story from their lives. The small powder room that was tucked away in the back of this large home was the only room that did not yet tell a story, and I felt that we should be the ones to tell it. I recruited my good friend and colleague, Theresa Tomczyk, to help me articulate my vision and place it on the canvas that is the powder room. Together we created a beautiful palette, rich in colors and textures. The room is a testament to the story two women can tell when working collaboratively.”

CREDITS Tile: Artistic Tile and Porcelanosa Tile. Woodwork and Cabinetry: Scott Libby Woodworking Inc. Tile Installation: Larry Stoddard, Distinctive Tile & Design. Furnishings and artwork: private collections.

Annie Kiladjian, left, grew up in Montréal, a city that infuses a sense of style into everything from fashion and food to architecture. After twenty years in the fashion industry, she moved into interior design, working in Montréal, New Jersey, and Maine, each of which has a unique design tradition.

Annie K Designs, LLC, 42 River’s Edge Drive, Portland 04102. anniekdesigns.com. 207-807-1131. anniekdesigns@yahoo.com

Theresa Tomczyk, right, studied fine arts with a focus on painting and design at Maine College of Art. She began working for Distinctive Tile & Design in 2003. Tomczyk thrives on the creative and technical challenges of tile work, and she enjoys collaborating with clients to select the materials that will make the room they envision a reality.

Distinctive Tile & Design, 334 Forest Avenue, Portland 04101. distinctivetileanddesign.com. 207-772-4344

9. Guest Suite and Bath
Anne Cowenhoven,
Accent & Design, Inc.

“The guest room is a small intimate space with its own bath and hallway. I wanted to capture the house’s grace and character while adding a sense of modernity and a bit of an Asian influence. I selected a stunning bed by Thomas Moser Furniture and placed it in front of the bank of windows. The headboard’s graceful arch is accented by the flared legs and sides of the nightstands and dresser. To complement the rich cherry of the furnishings, I chose earthy tones of sage, gray green, caramel browns, and foggy greens. The velvets and shirred jacquard velvets on the windows and duvet cover give the room an elegant, quiet, lush, and welcoming feel. Many different fabric and pillow forms are layered invitingly at the headboard. The bed sits on an Oriental rug that subtly enhances the setting. It’s a peaceful retreat for any guest.”

CREDITS Furniture: Thos. Moser. Artwork: George Marshall Store Gallery. Fabrics: Old World Weavers, Kravet, and Lee Jofa. Area rug: Mougalian Rugs. Accessories: Accent & Design, Inc. Decorative painting: Judy Dibble, Brookwood Designs.

Anne Cowenhoven transforms homes through sophisticated use of color, carefully selected details, and high quality materials. In addition to residential work, Cowenhoven has designed interiors and managed projects for several hotels, business offices, retail stores, and apartment complexes. Cowenhoven has a combined degree in design and history of architecture from Goucher College.

Accent & Design, P.O. Box 352, York 03909. accentdesignmaine.com. 207-363-7949. info@accentdesignmaine.com

10. Bedroom
Kim Corwin,
HOME - make it your own

“This comfortable guest bedroom in colors inspired by the Fore River invites you to settle in for your visit to Maine. Whether you are writing postcards or planning your next adventure, you enjoy an expansive view thanks to the elevated custom-designed workspace. Works by Maine artists are featured in this cozy nest. The homeowners’ friends and family will not only be out discovering historic Portland, they will be staying in the midst of it!”

CREDITS Vintage wicker headboard, desk, vintage stool, sea chest, window treatments: Kim Corwin, HOME-make it your own. Artworks: Mary Bourke, Greenhut Galleries; Suzanne Harden, Bayview Gallery; Elizabeth Prescott; Matt Welch; Yarmouth Frame Shop and Gallery. Restoration of hand-colored 1920s-30s bird lithographs: Beth Newman. Mattress and box spring twin set: Portland Mattress Makers. Bookcase: Maine Cottage Furniture. Stickley nightstand and upholstered chair: Pierce Furniture. Floor lamp: Fogg Lighting. Nightstand lamp: The Lamp Repair Shop. Farrow and Ball paint: Maine Paint Service. Painting: Deni Violette, Violette Interiors. Rugs: Bradford’s Rug Gallery.

Kim Corwin enjoys getting to know her clients and helping them turn their ideas into home interiors that reflect their tastes and personalities. Corwin began her career in marketing at Hallmark Cards, Inc., in Austin, Texas. Her love of design led her to start her own artwear company, which she later sold in order to pursue work as an art consultant. Corwin uses her decorating talents and passion for color to coordinate paint colors, fabrics, floor coverings, furniture, and accessories.

HOME - make it your own, 33 Beech Tree Lane, Yarmouth 04096. 207-650-8978. kimcorwinathome@gmail.com

11. Master Suite Bedroom and Closet
Jan Robinson, Jan Robinson Interiors

“My vision for the master bedroom suite is that of a restful space — a sanctuary, a nest. A bedroom should feel luxurious and cozy for optimum rest and rejuvenation. I chose a palette of deep rich jewel-tone colors for some of the fabrics and the accents that were popular in the 1920s, when the house was built. We built a “nest” in the bay window, covering a radiator and making the space more usable and inviting. It is a great spot for the homeowners to read or lounge. I used a combination of old and new furniture pieces. The dresser is a repurposed piece. It was an ordinary buffet, a bit worn but with great bones. A little paint and sparkle gave it new life, and it works great in the bedroom for added storage.”

CREDITS: Window seat/radiator cover design: Jim Robinson, Mainely Plumbing & Heating. Window seat and closet storage construction: Dennis Hanley, Hanley & Yost Builders. Wiring: J.B. Folsom Electric. Lighting advice: David Richards, House of Lights. Rug: Mougalian Rugs. Chair: Young’s Furniture. Fabrics: Kravet.

Soon after opening her drapery workroom in 1990, Jan Robinson expanded her decorating services from strictly crafting window treatments to helping clients choose paint colors, select and arrange furniture, and design interiors for new and existing homes. Robinson works primarily in southern Maine, but she has overseen projects as far afield as Calgary, Alberta. A certified window fashions specialist and Sustainable Furnishings Council GREENleader, she incorporates sustainable design principles into her projects wherever possible.

Jan Robinson Interiors, 9 Beverly Lane, Gorham 04038. janrobinsoninteriors.com. 207-893-1751. janrobint@gmail.com

Master Bath
Lynne Maxfield-Cole, Decorating Plus

“The homeowners wanted to retain the historic image of this master bathroom, while making it more enjoyable and user-friendly and incorporating twenty-first-century products. This room gives the home owner the ability to relax in either a touch-controlled tub with air jets, water jets, and chromotherapy or a touch-controlled, fully automated walk-in sit-down shower system with body jets. Music emanating from the in-wall speaker system and a unique towel warmer are just a few of the more interesting accessories. This master bath captures the romance of yesteryear while implementing today’s technology-based products — products that can be enjoyed and used by all regardless of physical ability and age.”

CREDITS Shower tile and slate: Arrow Distributors. Floor tile: New Hampshire Distributors. Bathroom fixtures: Redlon & Johnson. Shower and tub controls: Riobel. Tub and toilet: Neptune. Shower door: Basco. Shower seat: Shads. Mirror and glass products: Portland Glass. Lighting: Lighting Concepts. Paint: ICI and Devoe/Fuller O’Brien. Technology and music: Smart Homes Solutions. Carpentry: Fred Hilchey. Tile installation: Tim Janosco. Painting: Steve Hinson.

Visitors to the 2007 Show House will remember Lynne Maxfield-Cole’s high-tech boy’s suite, complete with a built-in speaker system, motion sensor faucets, and even a self-cleaning toilet. Decorating Plus is one of the few interior design firms with a division devoted to universally accessible living spaces. Maxfield-Cole is frequently called upon to lecture on the topic of barrier-free interiors. Her professional path from decorator to interior designer to general contractor to universal design specialist has been influenced by personal experience: she is the mother of an amputee, and she is a downhill ski instructor for the disabled.

Decorating Plus, 235 Portland Road (Route 100), Gray 04039. decoratingplus.net. 207-657-8103; 207-784-0173. dpi@decoratingplus.net

12. Full Bath
Robin Desjardins-Davis,
Design For Less
Paul LaJoie,
Port City Flooring

“The concept for the full bath takes into account the home’s style and history, as well as the current homeowners’ tastes and needs. The modern mosaic marble tile floor in a Versailles pattern harkens to some twenties’ styles yet has a layout that is fresh and modern. The organic simplicity of the Thibaut wall covering is a nod to the Arts and Crafts movement, and its contemporary blue and green hue is reminiscent of a serene spa. Crisp white trim and wainscoting, along with antique nickel and glass wall sconces complete the room’s soothing and glamorous look. The top-down, bottom-up Levolor Roman shade in sand silk provides flexibility and privacy without entirely blocking the sunlight. Mixing vintage and modern styles keeps things fresh and interesting. It is one of my favorite ways to decorate.”

CREDITS Floor tile: Port City Flooring. Wall covering: Thibaut Joli Trail. Antique Nickel and Glass Wall Sconces: Fogg Lighting. Painting contractor: Jim Steeves Painting. Shower Restoration: Master Piece Marble and Stone. Wall covering contractor: Sue Gabriel, The Feminine Touch.

Robin Desjardins-Davis founded Design For Less to meet the needs of everyday people who want to have comfortable, beautifully decorated, and functional homes but don’t have a huge decorating budget to work with. She feels interior design shouldn’t be thought of as just a “want” but rather as essential to quality of life. Her goal is to create spaces that are inviting and reflective of her client’s lifestyles, regardless of their budget.

Design For Less, South Portland. designforless.me. 207-590-1110. rdavismaine@hotmail.com

Paul LaJoie is the owner of Port City Flooring, one of Portland’s largest floor covering salesrooms. Port City showroom staff aims to make the process of selecting flooring for a home or an office easy, and its team of installers and finishers are well versed in laying carpet, area rugs, hardwood, laminate, stone and tile.

Port City Flooring, 277 Marginal Way, Portland, Portcityflooring.com, 207-775-2434.

13. Study
Kate Halpert Lowry,
Kate Lowry Designs, LLC

“My inspiration for this space comes from the era of this beautiful home. I have combined modern furnishings to reflect the room’s contemporary use with 1920s-inspired accessories and images. My design combines the flavor of Portland, with the historic and urban architecture that surround it. This is a perfect project for me as I am never stuck in one style or one era at any time. Combining old and new is a terrific way to add interest to a space.”

Kate Halpert Lowry comes from a family immersed in Portland’s art scene. She studied fine art, art history, and foreign language at UMaine and the American University of Rome. While abroad, she fell in love with fashion, style, and new ways of using materials like plastics and metals in home furnishings. She works with real estate agents, preparing properties to look their best and sell more effectively. She also redesigns interiors for homeowners, either by working with what they have or shopping for new pieces to integrate into their homes. Kate combines both of these skills as a downsizing specialist, working with the area’s seniors as they sell their homes and move to smaller spaces.

Kate Lowry Designs, 8 Bowdoin Drive, Falmouth 04105. katelowrydesigns.com. 207-776-9558. info@katelowrydesigns.com

14. Servants’ Quarters
Rachel Ambrose and Lisa Hincher,
Home Remedies

“The former servants’ quarters of this Arts and Crafts home have been transformed into an intimate family living area. The comfortable, livable rooms serve a dual purpose of utility and repose. Here inhabitants can retreat from the grand scale of the rest of the house to do homework, watch a movie, and otherwise feed their creativity. Like the craftspeople who built this magnificent home, the team at Home Remedies believes in the authenticity of things made by hand, and we chose talented partners whose commitment to quality work echoes our own.”

CREDITS Window treatments, pillows, and re-upholstery: Home Remedies. Furnishings: Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams. Wallpaper and fabrics: Thibaut. Painting and wallpapering: Woody Hynes. Rugs: Sara Hotchkiss. Floor cloths: Patience Sampson. Graphics: Leslie Evans Designs. Art: Ted Arnold and Sam Cady.

After years of driving out of state to find quality fabrics, Rachel Ambrose, opened Home Remedies, a fabrics and home furnishings store with a full-service sewing and re-upholstery workroom, in 2010. Besides stocking fabrics, wallpaper, and furniture, the shop makes custom window treatments, quilts, throw pillows, and other accessories. Ambrose honed her design skills at Home Remedies (West) in San Francisco, her store specializing in Maine-made products.
 
Lisa Hincher is the director of sales at Home Remedies. She helps customers turn their design dreams into a reality. She also does soup-to-nuts design of single rooms and whole houses. Before joining Home Remedies, Hincher worked as an interior consultant at Dwellings in Falmouth.

Home Remedies, 83 West Commercial Street, Portland 04010. mainefabrics.com. 207-899-0135. info@mainefabrics.com

15. Outdoor
Landscaping
Tony Elliott, Snug Harbor Farm

With a design degree in agronomy from Ohio State University but no formal design training, Tony Elliott has developed a characteristic style that integrates seamlessly with Maine’s topography. His designs often begin with highly structured elements located near a house — such as a terrace or courtyard — that become increasingly less ordered and more organic as they move way from home and blend into the wild. Elliott believes that landscaping should be functional, but always maintain a respect for local history and the natural world.

Snug Harbor Farm, Route 9, Kennebunk 04043. snugharborfarm.com. 207-967-2414. info@snugharborfarm.com

Project Manager
Dale Akeley, Project Resources, Inc.
Dale Akeley is the owner and president of Project Resources, Inc., a construction and project management company incorporated and in business since 1995. Project Resources is involved with commercial, light industrial, and institutional projects, primarily in southern and central Maine. The company’s services include management of regulatory reviews and permitting, construction payment disbursement and site reviews, and full construction overview, from general conditions of contract through all sixteen divisions of construction. Clients include private corporations, property owners, municipalities, and lending institutions.
 
Project Resources, 253 Main Street , P.O. Box 661, Yarmouth 04096. 207-846-8875; 207-846-8981 (fax). eprojec1@maine.rr.com

General Contractor
Geoff King, King Builders, LLC
Geoff King is the owner and lead carpenter of King Builders, LLC, a remodeling firm that restores older homes and condos in the Greater Portland area. King Builders specializes in kitchens and baths, but loves a challenging exterior renovation as well.
 
After graduating from the University of Maine School of Forestry, Geoff King worked as a forester for an Amish-owned hardwood lumber mill in Pennsylvania. He satisfied the urge to work with wood by becoming a carpenter twenty years ago, and he has been in business for himself for the last ten.
 
King Builders, LLC, 102 Baxter Boulevard, Portland, Maine 04101. 207-653-6974. kingbuildersllc@gmail.com