Pieces of the Past, Present, and Future
Melanie Millner’s designs are the epitome of elegance infused with personal details from her clients’ lives.
photography by Emily Followill
architecture Hazel & Grey Architects | construction SJ Contracting
Melanie Millner of The Design Atelier is known for her thoughtful, deeply personal approach to design. She begins each project by diving into her clients’ lives, exploring how they want to live, entertain, and ultimately feel in their home. For Melanie, design isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about storytelling. She considers everything that shapes a home’s environment, like the tones of the landscape, the way the house sits on the land, and the culture of the surrounding area. She even explores her clients’ childhood memories—those nostalgic moments that linger and shape their sense of “home.”
Her exploration opens a window into her clients’ inner lives, and the results are both beautiful and transformative. She might include a curtain inspired by a client’s grandmother’s old sofa, or a kitchen detail that nods to a faraway childhood landscape. “When we get involved in projects from the very beginning,” Melanie says, “that’s where we thrive the most. It allows us to start at ground level and get to know the clients over time.”
Though she designs homes in Maine, her work can be found up and down the East Coast. “It’s good to have a collected interior,” she explains. “It should have a nod to the past, present, and future—a balance of old pieces with new.” One example of this ethos is a lakeside home with an old property in need of major renovation. The family had purchased it during the Covid era, only to find that it was overrun, quite literally, with wildlife. Animals had taken up residence in the walls and were living in a wild kingdom of neglect. What followed was a two-year renovation involving architects, builders, and Melanie at the design helm.
“When people have a second home,” she says, “they want to go there and relax.” With that in mind, Melanie created interiors that feel airy and serene, while maintaining an undercurrent of sophistication. She achieved this through a blend of architectural materials, such as exposed beams, soft textiles, and thoughtful detailing. A pair of paintings in the living room perfectly illustrate her love for nostalgic touches. The client and her daughter, following Melanie’s recommendation, visited a Parisian artist’s studio during a trip to France. They returned home with two pieces of art and a shared memory now hanging on the wall.
To counterbalance the new construction, Melanie brought in reclaimed wood to anchor the home in a sense of permanence. A reclaimed beam forms the kitchen hood, while pecky cypress lines the ceiling on the lower level. In summer, these materials connect the house to its natural surroundings; in winter, they add warmth and texture.
One of Melanie’s favorite design moments in the house is the connection between the kitchen, living room, and an outdoor terrace that floats high above the property with sweeping views of the water. A wall of windows opens wide, seamlessly blending indoors and out. It’s the perfect space for entertaining, relaxing, or simply being immersed in nature.
“When you design a home,” says Melanie, “there should be a sense of flow and function. Every room should feel inviting, but not too precious. Investing in quality materials and upholstery is really an investment in the future. These are timeless pieces that will feature in your family’s memories and can be passed down to the next generation.” 
thedesignatelier.com
Out of Africa and Into Maine
Hurlbutt Designs created a fusion of design for an international couple settling in Maine.
photography by Heidi Kirn
architecture Randall Architectural Design | construction Perry Building and Restoration
A couple with a flair for the eclectic teamed up with interior designer Louise Hurlbutt of Hurlbutt Designs to transform their 1800s Victorian farmhouse. Their story is as eclectic as their design tastes: they met on safari in Africa where the husband worked as an elephant trainer, while the wife was running a Michelin-starred restaurant on Harbor Island in the Bahamas. When they eventually settled in New England, Louise helped the couple preserve their story by incorporating their African and Bahamian influences into a historic New England home.
As a designer, Louise is no stranger to melding bold patterns with Maine’s storied interiors. She’s a longtime collaborator with design forward real estate developer Tim Harrington, and her resume includes an Argentinian-inspired, woodsy retreat in Sunday River, and the chic renovation of the Lincoln Mill into a glamorous hotel in Biddeford. And the list goes on.
This particular homeowner came to Maine with a collection of ideas, antiques, and wallpaper. A happy accident, the wallpaper the client had discovered was inspired by Rufus Porter, a renowned Maine muralist. Rufus’ panoramic wall scenes, featuring trees, ships, and classic New England brick buildings, are beloved by design enthusiasts. “I knew the client understood design when she picked that wallpaper,” says Louise. Today, it graces the front hall, paired with a sweeping staircase that leads to the second floor.
As you move deeper into the house, the kitchen and dining area open into a warm, inviting space that is ideal for gathering, storytelling, and shared meals. The kitchen island doubles as a dining table, flanked by eight counter stools that invite large groups to linger. Just beyond, a drop-leaf table marks the transition into the living room. In a nod to the client’s roots, a collection of green pottery inherited from her grandmother adds a pop of color and complements the African artwork above the fireplace.
Louise’s deep knowledge of luxury materials, furniture, and upholstery allows her to curate high-quality, unique pieces that stand the test of time. For the living room, she chose a George Smith sofa, crafted in England and known for its impeccable construction. “I wanted to have it custom upholstered in a Thibaut fabric,” says Louise. “Two furniture companies turned down the project, but I finally found someone to do it!” The sofa now sits alongside two African-inspired chairs from Palecek. From this room, French doors lead out to a beautiful back deck.
Louise delighted in working with clients who had such a taste for design. “We were able to expose the client to so many fabrics,” she says. “Because she truly values quality, she welcomed all our recommendations, which made the project a pleasure. She brought us her lifestyle and her collections. We built the design around those things—and as a result, her story really shines through.”
A serendipitous discovery of Rufus Porter-inspired wallpaper set the tone. The rest—African-influenced art, natural textures, and luxe materials like granite—followed, coming together to create a home that is one-of-one. ▪ hurlbuttdesigns.com
A Chilled Guide to Interior Design
The interior design shop Rusticator recently launched a tailored decorating service for those seeking guidance on smaller-scale home projects
photography by Sean Litchfield
Laura and Vassar Pierce, the duo behind the acclaimed full-service interior design studio Keeler & Co., are offering something new for design lovers who fall somewhere between retail browsing and full-scale renovations. Nestled in the quiet village of Seal Harbor, their home furnishing store Rusticator has become home to an exciting new concept: a flexible design service that bridges the gap between hands-off shopping and full-service design.
This new offering, dubbed “Rusticator Decorating,” is based out of the in-shop studio, and caters to clients seeking decorating help on a smaller scale. They can help with anything from designing a custom sofa or refreshing a room to decorating an entire home—bringing expertise in window treatments, upholstery, and sourcing the right pieces for anyone’s home. “We built this program because it’s not easy to find a place where you can get furnishings truly tailored to you,” says Vassar. “Most of the time, you’d have to hire a designer to get that kind of custom fit.”
Instead, for a modest decorating fee, the Rusticator team will visit a client’s home to take measurements, draft a space plan, and guide you through furniture and fabric selections. They refine the design based on client feedback and ultimately source everything needed. It’s an ideal solution for those who want high-quality, lasting furniture and design insight, but don’t want to change every room and detail of their home.
One client shared that they struggled with “design confidence”—they knew what they liked but weren’t sure how to bring it all together. That uncertainty often led them to choose plain or safe options. “We can provide that clarity,” says Vassar. “We validate what works, and we’re there to offer alternatives when something’s not quite right.”
Walking into Rusticator is an experience in itself. Inside, visitors can explore styled bedroom, dining room, and living room vignettes to showcase the level of quality and elegance they can expect at Rusticator. “We want people to feel relaxed here,” says Vassar. “It’s like we’re welcoming them into our home—just everything happens to be for sale.”
Seal Harbor, with its unhurried pace and timeless charm, was a natural fit for their vision of a slow-paced shopping experience. “That’s part of why we chose this location,” Vassar explains. “Its quaintness invites people to linger and enjoy the setting.”
The store’s name, Rusticator, is a nod to the 19th-century families from New York and Boston who traveled to Mount Desert Island to escape the bustle of city life. These early “rusticators” were drawn to Maine’s rugged coastline, embracing a lifestyle that was simple and tranquil, but still elegant. That legacy continues today, and Laura and Vassar are proud to carry it forward. Their team at Rusticator remains deeply inspired by Seal Harbor and the greater Mount Desert Island community, committed to offering timeless design and quality craftsmanship.
The good news for future clients is that living in Seal Harbor or Mount Desert Island is not a requirement. Rusticator has worked on projects in New Hampshire, the rest of Maine, and even Boston, thanks to the efficient and expert nature of this offering. keelerandco.com
Northern Roots, Southern Bloom
Tanya Lacourse blends her love of detail with New England’s laid-back design
photography by Jeff Roberts
Though not a newcomer to the world of interior design, Violet Marsh Interiors is making quite the entrance into the Maine design scene. Owner Tanya Lacourse, originally from New Hampshire, has been living in Atlanta for the past ten years, but finds herself spending more and more time in Maine. “I love the quaintness of New England,” she says. “The rolling hills, the lack of overdevelopment—everything is older here.”
That longing for New England resurfaced when an Atlanta-based client enlisted Tanya’s help to design a second home in Harpswell, Maine. The opportunity to work in a familiar landscape, one infused with such a rich history and natural beauty, was too good to pass up.
Tanya’s path to interior design began in the fine art world, but she found herself increasingly drawn to architecture and interiors. Her move to Atlanta was inspired in part by the city’s vibrant design culture. “It’s the design epicenter of the Southeast,” she says. “There’s a European sensibility effused throughout the homes there—so much attention to technique and craftsmanship with a clear lineage. It’s traditional and a bit performative, but in the best way.”
This Atlanta-based client had purchased a Harpswell, Maine home from an elderly couple, complete with all of their belongings. “Things had accumulated over time and felt mismatched and uncomfortable,” Tanya explains. She created a new furniture and spatial plan, and also oversaw updates to the plumbing, bathroom, kitchen, tile, and lighting. The home’s original architecture still feels at the forefront of the design. She preserved its wood ceilings, walls, and fir floors, as well as the kitchen and bathroom cabinets. Tanya repurposed certain pieces such as a blue chest that she moved from the dining room to the mudroom.
Her updates shine most in the ambiance and layout. Guests enter through a functional mudroom with ample storage for outdoor gear, which opens directly into the dining room. To the right lies the kitchen, and to the left, the living room. Designed in the 1990s, the kitchen features rich soapstone countertops, a matching sink, and a polished nickel bridge faucet. The color palette—black, cream, blue, and green—complements the warm pine and fir surfaces. A new round dining table seats ten, while the cozy yet open living room can host up to twelve guests.
Upstairs, the second floor houses the bedrooms, a reading nook, and a children’s room. “I love how livable this house is,” Tanya says. “Everything feels easy and relaxed.”
An array of glass light fixtures were added throughout the house to preserve sightlines while adding shimmer. “They remind me of the ocean’s surface,” she says. “Always glittering.” Dimmers on every switch elevate the atmosphere even further. “That’s one of my favorite touches,” Tanya says. “When you’re hosting, you can dim the lights, light a candle, and suddenly everything feels cozy and more beautiful.”
Tanya has been taking on more projects in Maine, blending components of Southern design with the classic, understated charm of New England. In Harpswell, she’s already created something special: a house filled with unique touches including brass mirrors, dried foliage, art, and plush pillows to create a joyful retreat for her clients. ▪ violetmarsh.com
A Blue-and-White French Kitchen
Arcadia Kitchen and Bath play on French country motifs in a soft blue and white kitchen that has it all
photography by Erin Little
Arcadia Kitchen and Bath is a full service design-build firm that truly does it all, from structural work to finishing touches like wallpaper and lighting. With an in-house team of designers and installers, Arcadia has the unique ability to take a project from concept to completion with maximum collaboration between departments. Interior designer Caitlin Tucker sums it up best: “For a design idea to mean something, it has to be feasible,” she says. “You can have the best idea, but without the people and talent to bring it to life, it’s just an idea. At Arcadia, we have that ability.”
One standout project showcases Arcadia’s seamless collaboration—from initial planning to millwork, tile installation, wallpaper, electrical work, and more. The client came to Arcadia looking to renovate the kitchen, pantry, powder room, and primary bathroom with a style that blended modern simplicity and traditional charm. After an initial consultation and 3D design renderings, the team got to work transforming the home.
The existing kitchen had felt closed off, weighed down by dark cabinetry and partial dividing walls. To open up and brighten the space, Caitlin chose Farrow & Ball’s “Lulworth Blue,” which looks like a French blue, for the cabinets, accented by complementary touches of yellow. Smart storage solutions were a top priority, with new drawers, shelving, and a prep sink integrated into the design.
The client, an avid traveler and collector, brought her love of the French countryside into the project. Her antique treasures, bamboo decor, and Chinoiserie helped guide the aesthetic. A European sensibility flows through the space, emphasizing craftsmanship and timeless materials. The slate flooring anchors the room in a deep, earthy tone, adding contrast to the lighter palette on the cabinets and walls.
A standout feature is the custom tile backsplash behind the range—a hand-painted rooster motif by Brunswick artist Deborah Todd in a striking royal blue and yellow colorway. “The homeowner even asked Deb to sign her work,” says Caitlin. “That personal touch made it truly one-of-a-kind. Deb said it was the first time anyone had ever asked her to do that.” The rooster—a symbol of luck and warmth—is a classic fixture of a French kitchen.
Adjacent to the main kitchen area, the pantry features a Delft Tiles backsplash that depicts pastoral scenes and windmills, continuing the countryside theme. Natural soapstone countertops, silky to the touch, echo the grounding feel of the slate floors while balancing the light, airy color scheme.
Upstairs, the bathroom carries the same elegant blue-and-white palette. A custom double vanity in the same French blue hue ties the space to the downstairs, paired with marble countertops featuring soft veining and geometric wallpaper and tile. Across from the vanity, an arched shower entry finished in handmade tiles speaks to the attention to detail and craftsmanship central to Arcadia’s design execution.
This fresh interpretation of European country style, with its natural stone countertops, artisan tile work, and custom cabinetry, is a testament to what Arcadia Kitchen and Bath can accomplish, thanks to their broad scope of talent all collaborating under one roof. arcadiakitchenbath.com
