HANDMADE AMERICAN FURNITURE
A Place to Retire

A Place to Retire

ENGLISH CHARM MEETS CALIFORNIA COASTAL
Home Tours
 

When we think of our dream home, we make an exhaustive list of all our wants and eventually stack them against our needs and a humble sprinkling of reality. As we assemble the elements of our life and draw inspiration from color swatches, magazine clippings, and tile samples, these pieces soon begin to fall into place.

For one couple in early retirement, their years of dreaming came to fruition in a perfect home. When they started planning, they knew it must include a first-floor bedroom suite, an open kitchen that melted into the dining area, and a picturesque setting near the Maine coast. Of course, finding a ready-made home with these three cornerstones proved challenging. Their solution: find an ideal parcel of land that felt like home. When they first found their pastoral field, complete with roaming chickens, they knew this was the spot. In 2017, they purchased the land and began building their dream home.

 

Above: Boat Top Table & Eastward Chairs.

Kitchen & Dining

A top priority was a well-appointed kitchen. The kitchen's easy layout, with a central island, allows for entertaining or a casual breakfast for two perched atop Crescent High Stools by Thos. Moser. Custom cabinetry from Crown Point Cabinetry perfectly pairs with the couple’s aesthetic. The mix of open shelving and a stepback cupboard with antique glass, floor-to-ceiling cabinetry, and glide-out drawers keeps everything a chef needs within easy reach and neatly tucked away. And no chef’s kitchen would be complete without a full butler’s pantry concealed behind elegant French doors.

 

Above: Oval Ring Coffee Table

Living Room

Floor-to-ceiling windows spanning the entire length set the ambiance on this side of the house, creating an open, airy feel. The warmth of the cherry Boat Top Table and Eastward Chairs mirrors the kitchen's wooden beams and open shelving and blends into the living area, where playful patterns meet comforting neutrals. This formal living area overlooks a rolling meadow resplendent with Maine wildflowers.

 

 

Above: Pencil Post Bed in cherry. 

The Primary Suite

The homeowners wanted their primary suite to be a sanctuary. Crisp white walls, cool blues, and neutral carpeting let natural light reflect and enliven the room. The Pencil Post Bed, by Thos. Moser reflects the room's simplicity and purpose, balancing the warmth of wood and intentional design to provide the perfect respite for a peaceful night’s rest.

 

 

Cool blues and warm wooden tones intertwine throughout the house, nodding to the ocean and Maine woods. Natural elements like wool carpeting, a fieldstone fireplace, slate flooring, iron fixtures, and large windows let the beauty of the landscape filter inward, creating a welcoming oasis where they can take a deep breath and watch the worries of the world drift away.

 

Previous Post Next Post

Related Posts

The Edo Collection

The Edo Collection

Lasting from 1603 to 1868, Japan’s Edo period was a time of great cultural growth and dedication to craftsmanship. This era was noted for peace and stability, as samurai set aside their swords and embraced philosophy and art. Artists and builders valued balance, restraint, and respect for their materials, turning simple materials such as wood, ink, and paper into lasting works of beauty through careful carving, layering, and finishing. The architecture of the time reflected these values, with every part having a clear function and authentic beauty emerging from honest construction. A torii gate. The wide horizontal lines of torii gates, the strong wooden frames of temples, and the repeating patterns of traditional buildings all show a belief that beauty comes from structure, careful proportions, and precision, rather than added decoration.      The Edo Bench Inspiration Behind the Edo Collection Introduced in 2006, the Edo Collection by David Moser was inspired by a profound respect for Japanese architecture and craftsmanship, particularly the wabi-sabi ethos, which values the authentic beauty of handmade objects. Instead of simply copying decorative details, Moser drew from the structural principles and traditions of Japan’s Edo period, blending them with modern American furniture-making and the Thos. Moser style. The result is furniture that looks both timeless and modern—unique, understated, and true to its roots.    Above: The Edo Stool Form Built From Structure Architectural shapes are a key feature throughout the Edo Collection. Angled supports evoke temple gateways, and wide horizontal surfaces seem to float above well-designed bases. The Edo Trestle Table exemplifies this idea, with a sculpted base that looks light but is very stable, allowing chairs and benches to fit easily underneath. Similarly, the platform bed’s low height creates a sense of calm in the bedroom. Each piece stands out for its clean lines, thoughtful design, and simple, natural proportions.     The Warmth of Natural Materials The collection also reflects the Japanese love for simplicity and authenticity. Rather than overpowering the material, each design highlights the natural qualities of sustainably sourced North American cherry and walnut. The grain, color changes, and warmth of the wood are integral to the design. Sharp edges, smooth lines, and careful proportions further bring out the beauty already in the material. The Edo Chair is a prime example, blending Japanese design, Scandinavian modernism, Shaker style, and American craftsmanship into one unified piece. Details in Design Throughout the collection, a signature square tenon joint reflects traditional Japanese methods. Edo chairs, with their gently carved crests inspired by torii gates, offer both comfort and sculptural beauty. Each seat is deeply carved to bring out its shape and provide ergonomic support, while the natural finish enhances the wood’s grain and color.   Above: The Edo Bed and Studio Dresser A Shared Philosophy Although inspired by Japan, the Edo Collection is unmistakably Thos. Moser. Each piece is handmade in Maine with traditional joinery and sustainably sourced North American hardwoods. Instead of copying old designs, David Moser brought forward the values behind them—clarity, craftsmanship, and careful proportion—into furniture made for modern life. Almost twenty years after its introduction, the Edo Collection still feels current, its roots in timeless architecture proving that good design and honest materials always belong in the home.      

Learn more
The Pasadena Collection

The Pasadena Collection

Design inspiration comes in many forms: architecture, nature, and the human body. It is a continuous process of sharing and refining ideas until the desired result is achieved. With the Pasadena Collection, David Moser infused architecture and furniture motifs into existing Moser designs, creating a collection that is both functional and artistic.

Learn more
A Home for Generations

A Home for Generations

In the heart of Midcoast Maine, nestled on a piece of land that has been in the family for over a century, stands a home that embodies timeless elegance, comfort, and a deep commitment to quality.

Learn more