The spaceWhen they were first built, these simple rooms housed workers in Walker’s barrel stave making shop just below them on the first floor of the ell. The space was austere compared to the fancy main house. Hooks throughout the space provided storage for workers' clothes and tools. The only heat was from the blacksmith's furnace on the first floor. Later, as the town’s economy transitioned in the early 1900s from timber harvesting to tourism, the rooms were fitted with fancy wallpaper and newfangled brass light fixtures in hopes of renting them to the first generation of city-folk drawn to Lovell’s rural pleasures. We have thoughtfully renovated the space, shoehorning in all the modern comforts, including two new bathrooms, while preserving as much original material as possible, including all original trim, doors with wrought iron latches, wavy glass windows, wide pine board floors, and even some original paint.
On top of these historic bones, we created a unique, luxurious rental space. Our biggest source of inspiration for the design of this project is the Maine concept of “Upta Camp.” This aesthetic pays homage to the multi-generational family retreats of the people that have come to the lake for a simplified way of life and an opportunity to reconnect with oneself and their friends and family. The space features honest, natural materials like wool, wood, brass, and cotton. Guests enter from the dooryard through a private, well-trod staircase featuring preserved, vintage Maine-themed toile wallpaper. The stairs lead to a large common hallway.
The hallway features a drop-leaf dining table and an alcove with a built-in twin-sized daybed, which offers additional sleeping space. Layered with pillows and flanked by custom bookcases stuffed with local reads, the daybed is anchored by framed local postcards and soft lighting with Cedar and Moss sconces. At the end of the hallway is an honor bar, which offers guest lots of goodies for purchase. The floors in the hall were left more or less as we found them allowing the history of the nearly 200 year old home to shine through. They are softened by layering vintage geometric rugs and scattering moody lighting along the ceiling and in the alcove.
The two bedrooms each feature a queen bed, private full bathroom, as well as plenty of storage. Furniture throughout is a mix of antiques and new pieces ranging from early 19th century to today. Bedroom 1 has a cozy seating area with a lounge chair and reading lamp. Bedroom 2 has a desk setup, ideal as a writer's retreat or for you to work on vacation. (The WiFi is impressively fast for rural Maine.) Beds in both rooms are flanked with Blueprint NYC sconces and antique side tables. Bedding has been selected to ensure a restorative and luxurious night’s sleep. Plush mattresses topped with crisp percale sheets and a warm blankets or quilts offer guests a much needed rest so they can dream about what adventures they will have the next day. When you wake, you can freshen up in the classic but perfectly accommodating private bathroom. Modeled after a turn-of-the-century spa experience, the bathrooms feature daisy hex tile flooring, subway tiled shower and brass fixtures. Here guests will find high-end bath products and fluffy white towels.
This space is unlike any other short-term rental in the Mount Washington Valley for its focus on high design, sleep experience, luxury products, as well as its unique historic setting. This as a four-season retreat, the perfect place for guests to relax after a long day of hiking, hunting, fishing, skiing, kayaking, floating the river, or enjoying the area’s many scenic drives.
We look forward to sharing this special space with you.
We are grateful to many partners and collaborators who made this space possible:
Design and Construction Support: Heart & Hammer Homes, Fryeburg, Me.
Artwork Framing: Framebridge
Lighting: Blueprint NYC; Cedar and Moss; Veraluz
Bedding: Serena & Lily
Window Treatments: Wovn Home
Porch furniture: Polywood
Hallway ottomans: The Inside
Guest accessGuests have access to the private suite, with two bedrooms and two full bathrooms. Guests may also use the dooryard and shared front porch on the main house if they wish. Smoking is only allowed on the outside areas of the property.
Additional notesPlease note that while you will have access to a separate private suite in the ell, the main house is our primary residence. You may see us coming and going, or hear our two friendly dogs playing in the yard or observing you from the kitchen windows. (While we wish we could welcome your furry friends, unfortunately the space in the guest suite is not suitable for pets.)
Remember, this is a nearly 200 year old house that has only been lightly renovated, retaining its original windows, doors, and hardware. It has lots of charm, but plenty of quirks. Windows are low to the floor (guests with young children should be particularly cautious), floors creek, doors and windows stick sometimes, everything is out of level, sometimes a few bugs get in through the screens. While we've done everything possible to make the space comfortable, we hope you'll consider these things part of the experience.
Access to a shared washer and dryer, conveniently located right off the suite, can be arranged if needed. Please coordinate with us if you will be needing laundry access.
Please note florals and houseplants seen in pictures may or may not be available for all stays.
Guest interactionWe're happy to have as much or as little interaction as guests would like. We'll provide self check-in details upon booking. We can leave you alone while you're here, or we would be happy to provide local recommendations and directions if you wish. We will usually be close by if you need anything.
Neighborhood overviewThe house is set in the heart of Lovell Village, a charming, well-preserved early nineteenth century hamlet in a tiny town of less than 1500 set in the timber-laden foothills of the White Mountains. The jewell of Lovell is Kezar Lake, a secluded 2500-acre body of crystal-clear water, surrounded by sweeping mountain views and adorned with spectacular sunsets, eerie loon calls, and wading moose. Kezar is consistently ranked among the most beautiful lakes in New England, if not the world. The lake, the summer hikes and winter skiing on the mountains that surround it, abundant hunting and fishing, the lazy Saco River and the beaches that line it, as well as the annual bacchanal of the Fryeburg Fair, draw thousands to the town every year. The area’s rural character belies it as the location of numerous exceptional dining opportunities, hidden away, like the lake, only for those in the know.
The house is waking distance to the Lovell Village Post Office, the Charlotte Hobbs Library, the town tennis courts, and recreation field. The area features sweeping White Mountain views at every turn.
Lovell is equidistant between North Conway, NH and Bethel, Maine, about a half hour away from each, giving unparalleled access to a range of winter sports options. The house is less than 10 minutes from the town beach at Kezar Lake to the east, and the Fryeburg Fairgrounds to the west. The ski area at Pleasant Mountain (formerly Shawnee Peak) is a mere 15 minute drive. The White Mountain National Forest, particularly Evans Notch, is also a short drive away.
Getting aroundGuests may park in any open space in the driveway or on the left grass if needed.
