Maine Homes by Down East

09/19/2025

Carol and Roger Hewitt of Highfields Farm in Hope, Maine, defy the state’s short growing season and rocky soil to cultivate and sell hundreds of showy, colorful dahlias each summer.

At Highfields Farm, columns of raised beds corral a leggy late-season bloomer. This year, they are cultivating 120 varieties of the flower.

09/09/2025

Susan Leahy's cottage rebuild on Harpswell's Oakhurst Island quickly snowballed into revitalizing adjacent plots, which she opens up for neighbors to enjoy.

Susan Leahy's cottage rebuild on Oakhurst Island quickly snowballed into revitalizing adjacent plots, which she opens up for neighbors to enjoy.

09/05/2025

Rick Cochran repurposed rocks unearthed on his property to create a sprawling, sun-dappled forest garden he calls Rock Haven. 🪨🌿

Rick Cochran repurposed rocks unearthed on his property to create a sprawling, sun-dappled forest garden he calls Rock Haven.

08/26/2025

Owners Karen and Ford Reiche salvaged just about everything but the kitchen sink for their new home.

06/27/2025

The mini abode seemed a fine spot to ride out the renovation of their circa 1790 Federal — until the no-see-ums invaded.

The mini abode seemed a fine spot to ride out a renovation — until the no-see-ums invaded. See inside their renovated Federal in Phippsburg.

06/22/2025

Gardener Ellen Jackson has spent almost 30 years caring for her half-acre garden. 🌷

Ellen Jackson lives on a busy road in Farmingdale, but her home seems to float above the din, tucked behind a curtain of blossoms.

05/09/2025

Built in 1870 as Greenwood Villa by iron manufacturer Philander Tolman, the home is now Greenwood Manor Inn. Since Jill and Joe Drew took it over in 2022, many of their closest friends have come from the guests they've welcomed.

"We try to keep our side separate, but, more often than not, people are in and out."

04/14/2025

We caught up with eight intrepid homeowners living self-sufficiently in remote spots of the state — and who get a charge out of producing their own power, sometimes blissfully unaware when the world around them goes dark.

The range of their approaches is striking — from island cottages with cobbled-together utility systems to a fully electric house of the future.

04/06/2025

Her chickens live in the homey “fluffy butt hut," a coop decorated with window boxes, curtains, wallpaper, and a chandelier. 🐓

Jennica Harris's flock lives in the “fluffy butt hut," which has window boxes, curtains, wallpaper, and a chandelier.

03/24/2025

From architects to builders, décor shops to furniture stores, we want to know what Maine businesses you're rooting for. Write in your favorites at vote.downeast.com by April 12. The most nominated entries will move on to the final round of Down East Magazine's 2025 poll in May. 🗳️

Bookstores to burgers, museums to marinas, art galleries to architects — we want to know what Maine businesses and organizations YOU are rooting for.

03/08/2025

Only a cherry-red door and a sky-blue vintage Beetle hint at the boisterous palette inside.

“When you look at our house, you can tell we didn’t design everything all at once to go together."

02/07/2025

It had stood empty for three years, and mice had the run of the place. See how she reclaimed and transformed the 1920s cottage. 👇

It had stood empty for three years, and mice had the run of the place.