This house on an island off of Maine was designed by Peter Pennoyer Architects to take full advantage of the spectacular ocean views and natural setting. It is seated at the edge of a major yachting channel, the Fox Islands Thoroughfare, a prominent spot for observing and participating in boating events, one of our client’s passions. Our client’s varied interests provided many of the inspirations for the decoration. These included maritime and local history and interestingly, a passion for objects made of colored glass. Several of their glass pieces provided us with color direction and others were given prominent placement in the rooms. We tried to imbue the house with a settled, old-time quality. The floors of the living room and master bedroom are covered with custom carpets based on 19th century hook rug designs; the walls of the back stair hall are decorated with hand printed wallpaper patterns revived from an historic archive; a decorative painter designed a mural for the guest powder room based on old yachting scenes; and the paneling in the Library is painted in a shade of blue taken from a historical palette of colors and then complimented with pink linen curtains placed in pockets framing the windows. The wood paneled entry and stair halls are an architectural tour do force. They start with simple rectangular panels inspired by the architecture of Maine summer lodges and cabins, then repeated from the entry hall through to the second floor. The straightforward elegance sets the tone for much of the rest of the house – beautifully executed details rendered with great care and refinement that appeal to the eye, but do not distract from the views and surroundings that are the heart of the house.