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Houzz Tour: Vacation Cottage Defies a Stormy Coast
A couple revives an old stone hunting retreat in Maine, despite its being in a fearsome flood zone
Remodeling a dream vacation home near a flood zone doesn't sound like a recipe for relaxation. But for homeowners Bob and Kate Horgan, this stone structure off the coast of Maine was exactly what they were looking for. Set on the edge of tiny Hunting Island, off the southern tip of Southport, this former stone hunting retreat is located within a 100-year flood zone and just a couple feet above the high-water line.
Flooding during a storm surge is a real danger here, so the Horgans had to come up with a very special design and construction to meet the code requirements for the remodel. The couple hired Knickerbocker Group to do that while maintaining the cottage's charm and making room for occasional visits from their seven grown children.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A vacation home for Bob and Kate Horgan
Location: Hunting Island, Maine
Size: Main house: 1,570 square feet; 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Bunkhouse: 270 square feet; 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
Flooding during a storm surge is a real danger here, so the Horgans had to come up with a very special design and construction to meet the code requirements for the remodel. The couple hired Knickerbocker Group to do that while maintaining the cottage's charm and making room for occasional visits from their seven grown children.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A vacation home for Bob and Kate Horgan
Location: Hunting Island, Maine
Size: Main house: 1,570 square feet; 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Bunkhouse: 270 square feet; 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
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The cottage's exterior walls are made of stone found on the island. Originally, this structure was a simple hunting retreat with no electricity. It had only a couple small rooms and rustic plumbing, and was full of ocean debris from rough storms.
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| The construction was sensitive to the cottage's environment, so waste had to be kept to a minimum, and few changes were made to the house's exterior. Most of the renovations were designed to keep the house within the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA's) flood code. Vents had to be able to handle flood waters by equalizing water pressure all around the structure, wood had to be rotproof and all electrical services had to be installed at least 3 feet off the floor. |
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At the time of construction, FEMA required that if a structure was improved by more than 50 percent of its value, it needed to be moved out of the flood plain. But this home is mostly made of stone, and moving it would have been an impossible feat.
Instead, architect Rick Nelson and his team at Knickerbocker got creative. "We decided it would be best to be as diligent as possible about costs, which helped focus our efforts on maintaining the rugged charm of the structure," he says.
Instead, architect Rick Nelson and his team at Knickerbocker got creative. "We decided it would be best to be as diligent as possible about costs, which helped focus our efforts on maintaining the rugged charm of the structure," he says.
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Basketball-size rocks and piles of sand have been known to wash into buildings in this area. To battle that, Nelson and his team built mahogany and ballistic storm panels that can be securely attached to all the front doors and windows during storms and in the off-season.
Ship inset: Wooden Screen Door Co.; stained glass: Kim Villard
Ship inset: Wooden Screen Door Co.; stained glass: Kim Villard
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| Of course, the potential for flooding made choosing furniture difficult as well. Simple pieces with limited upholstery proved to be the best bet. To stay within the budget, the concrete floors were stained instead of covered with tile, timbers were left unfinished and the existing stone walls were simply cleaned. An iron rod around the living room roof was installed to secure the roof to the walls during rough weather. "A structural necessity became an opportunity for a modern decorative element," says Nelson. Paintings: Kim Villard; pillows: On Board Fabrics |
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| FEMA requirements made the design and practicality of these main downstairs living spaces especially complicated, forcing Knickerbocker Group to get creative with materials and installation. |
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The kitchen, just visible through this doorway, had its own set of constraints. Installing permanent lower cabinetry wasn't an option, since it could be completely destroyed in a flood. Instead, cabinets were custom designed and put on casters so they could be easily removed. This also meant that the cabinetry was considered furniture and could be taken out of the budget for FEMA accounting.
How to install the sink was a head scratcher, but in the end Nelson permanently attached the sink counter to a wall with brackets and built the cabinet below to slide in and out on casters.
How to install the sink was a head scratcher, but in the end Nelson permanently attached the sink counter to a wall with brackets and built the cabinet below to slide in and out on casters.
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Rough-sawn cedar was used to sheath walls and stairways for a rustic look that met the rotproof requirements.
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The driftwood rail on the stairs is original to the home. It was saved and reused to maintain the home's original rustic charm.
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Natural stone shower tile keeps the main bathroom's look in line with the rest of the home. A stencil on the stained concrete floor adds a subtle decorative element.
Fixtures: Rohl; stenciled floor pattern: Jill Valliere Design
Fixtures: Rohl; stenciled floor pattern: Jill Valliere Design
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| The clients wanted larger, more private bedrooms — a big change from the home where they raised their seven children. These rooms were kept simple and light, with antique furniture that reflects the home's roots. White linen bedding looks crisp and clean against the rough stone walls. Bed: Maine Cottage; shade: Creative Canvas |
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| Few changes were made to the surrounding property, since rough weather could potentially destroy any landscaping. Nelson and his team did make some enhancements to the rock formations around the house, though, creating stone terracing, stairs and a bonfire pit with boulder seating. |
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For additional guest housing, Knickerbocker built a small bunkhouse on the only sliver of the property that could host a new construction. Storm panels sit outside, ready to take on the rough weather.
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The board and batten walls in this bunkhouse bedroom make it feel more cozy than the stone-clad bedrooms in the main house. Kate Horgan is an interior designer and often collects beach treasures to decorate the house. Here, a beautiful branch found on the beach hangs from the bunkhouse ceiling.
See more inspiring homes by the water
See more inspiring homes by the water
Ideabook updated on July 11, 2012.
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