Guest Picks: Made in Maine
I have one of these spice racks on the refrigerator (it was a sweet Christmas present from my husband). And I have to say, it’s one of my favorite parts of the kitchen. I honestly think these magnetic spice jars are the best way to organize and use spices. They look pretty and clear up drawer space, and the best part is that your spices are always fresh because these jars store smaller quantities than standard jars. Plus, it feels like a treat to grab spices from these pretty stamped containers.
Each of the illustrations on these marble coasters feels so quintessentially Maine: a boat, a buoy, an anchor and a compass rose. But I like how the designs feel modern too. These aren’t your grandmother’s coasters.
This tea towel is designed, sewn and printed locally by a small network of artisans in the greater Portland area. I love that the design is inspired by the Portland waterfront.
What’s not to love about a camper chalkboard? I would love one for my kiddos’ room. The designers use lightweight wood from a eucalyptus tree (grown on sustainable tree farms) that’s heat-pressed into a board. So you can rest easy knowing that there’s no glue or formaldehyde used. Speaking of, I’ve noticed that a lot of Maine makers have a definite desire to use sustainable, ecofriendly materials and techniques in their designs.
The designer of these rugs moved to Maine to pursue weaving, which turned into a career for her. I love the color combo in this roving rug. The designer uses hand-dyed textiles, yet it’s still machine washable for ease of care.
It’s tough to do a Maine roundup without one nod to the iconic lobster. I like that this pillow features a more modern twist on a lobster design. It would make a fun accent on a sofa or porch during the summer months.
I like the idea of investing in timeless furniture that will be with you for years. This bookcase could be one of those finds. You can definitely get cheaper bookcases, but this tall one has solid wood and design details that you can only get with a handmade piece.
I’m a bit obsessed with the Hudson Bay stripe design, which feels very New England to me. (My dream is to find one of the blankets and upholster a chair with it.) This wool rug is handwoven in Maine and features a twist on the Hudson. Love!
This made-in-Portland roll of towels just shot straight to the top of my wish list! I actually went years — years! — without buying paper towels, and honestly found it easy as long as I had my basket of tea towels at the ready. But since the kiddos have come on the scene, I have found paper towels a necessary part of my arsenal (but I still try to mostly use tea towels). I would love to switch from my towel mishmash to this simple design of a dozen reusable double-layered cotton towels that snap together in a roll. They’re space-saving and eco-conscious, and I love the prints! The roll will even fit on any regular paper towel holder.
These lovely coasters are made using speckled stoneware and recycled glass. But the real star of the design are the impressions of driftwood and seashells under the glass. They’ll bring a little of the Maine coastline to your coffee table.
I have fond memories of blueberry picking in Maine with my kids. This made-in-Maine tea towel features a sweet illustration inspired by picking wild Maine blueberries in the summertime.
For people originally from Maine or people (like me) who heart the state, here’s a bottle stopper to proudly show your love. The design has been laser-engraved into the maple wood.
This rainbow rag rug is inspired by the old New England technique of making rugs from scraps and rags. I’d love to place it in front of my kitchen sink.
One of the most well-known Maine designers, Angela Adams, designed this amazing tapestry with hand-tufted highland wool. It’s an investment piece for your wall that is sure to be a family heirloom. Full-disclosure: These tapestries are handmade by skilled artisans in Peru.
These special cutting boards, which are designed and made in Maine, feature the live-edge design that is so popular now. I love their shape and character — each one is truly one-of-a-kind.
A pretty piece of Maine birch to charge my iPhone? Yes, please! What an improvement over the phone-stuck-in-the-outlet look that I’ve been sporting at home.
Maine designer Angela Adams has also ventured into the bedding arena. All of her designs are inspired by the Maine landscape where she lives. I love the watery blue color of this particular design.
This awesome framed whale is actually neither drawing, print nor photo. The designer engraves the image right onto canvas fabric for a unique textured look. The canvas is then bonded to eucalyptus and framed — I love the gold frame shown here. Each image in the collection feels very quintessentially Maine.
I’m definitely on a rug kick, probably because all of the floors in my house are bare hardwood right now. The colors of this handmade cotton rag rug are so pretty. Each also comes with a book to pay homage to the librarian in the designer’s hometown. In her words: “When I was a little girl, the librarian in my hometown had a little rug for each child to sit on as she read stories to us. She said books would take us anywhere we wanted to go and to pretend we were going with her on our magic carpets.” What an amazing story behind the design.Next: Sublime Coastal Woods Gain a Healthy New Foothold in Maine
A brother-and-sister team in Maine designs these handmade wooden photo albums and journals. Each is made with a mix of recycled woods sourced in Maine, and they’re hand bound around acid-free paper that’s perfect for photos or scrapbooking. The end pages even feature topographic maps. One of these would make an amazing album for wedding photos.
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