Take a peek inside our inherited Raeside-Dame coastal signature home in Maine. After 30 years of family memories, follow its renovation journey from the timeless “before” to its charming new chapter.
After spending three decades lovingly collecting antiques and creating a warm, Early American feel, my parents’ coastal Maine home, built in 1992, an original Raeside-Dame home, has now been passed down to me. This classic coastal signature home is filled with character: cedar shingles, wide pine floors, exposed beams, and vintage charm at every turn.

It holds not just heirloom pieces, but generations of memories. In this post, I’m sharing a heartfelt “before” look at the house as we inherited it, a glimpse into the foundation of what will become a new chapter for our family. Join me as we begin transforming this treasured Raeside-Dame Home into a space that honors the past while embracing the future.


A Quick Note About These Photos
These photos were taken back in 2019, just before we fully emptied the house to begin renovations. The lighting isn’t ideal, the walls had aged gracefully over 30 years, and the furniture was still exactly as my parents left it. But that’s also what makes these images so special. They capture the essence of the home before any updates were made, exactly how it was when we inherited it. These are memory keepers, and I’m so glad I have them.

Before the Renovation: Inside Our Raeside-Dame Coastal Signature Home
When we inherited this Raeside-Dame home from my parents, we knew we wanted to honor its original New England charm while also refreshing the space for a new chapter. The interior hadn’t been painted in 30 years, and while the walls were in surprisingly good condition, they had grown dim with time. We chose Simply White by Benjamin Moore to brighten every room and give it a clean, cohesive look that felt both classic and coastal.
My parents had also stained the pine floors dark, and after years of daily life, walkers, pets, and well-loved gatherings, they showed their age. Rather than replace them, we had them sanded and refinished with a clear polyurethane, preserving their story while adding a lighter, fresher tone. We kept the Nantucket Gray trim that my parents originally chose, a small but meaningful detail that keeps the memory of their style alive.
The renovation also included transforming an unfinished attic into two upstairs bedrooms, painted in the same Simply White to maintain harmony with the main living areas below. While we parted with the original furniture, we lovingly kept and restored many of the antiques that defined the home’s character. This post shares the “before”, a visual tribute to a beloved family home before it began its next chapter.

Start Here: Your Guide to Vintage, Thrifted, and Antique Home Decorating
Looking for a welcoming place to begin? Start with my Start Here page, where I share favorite vintage decorating ideas, thrifted finds, and styling inspiration from our cozy New England homes in Vermont and Coastal Maine.
Thank you for joining me on this first step inside our family’s Coastal Signature Home in Maine. This Raeside-Dame home holds decades of cherished memories, and sharing these “before” photos allows me to honor its past while inviting you along for the journey ahead. Although the walls were well-loved and the pine floors worn with time, the bones of this classic New England reproduction home were strong and full of potential. I hope you’ll continue with me as we breathe new life into this beloved space, keeping its early American charm while adding our own coastal touches.

Our Home, Featured in Country Sampler Magazine
In 2024, our coastal Maine home was featured in Country Sampler Magazine—a true dream come true! It was an unforgettable experience, and I’ve shared all the behind-the-scenes moments, vintage styling, and emotional details in this special post.
Want to follow the journey?
If you’re enjoying this peek into our inherited Raeside-Dame home, I’d love for you to follow along as we continue restoring and personalizing this beloved space in Coastal Maine. From the freshly painted interiors and refinished pine floors to restoring the original cedar shake siding and classic Essex Green trim, there’s so much more to share.
Explore the full transformation in these next posts:

In My Mother’s Maine Home
Step inside our inherited coastal Maine home where antiques, thrifted treasures, and family memories come together. Explore the full series for room-by-room decorating ideas, restoration updates, and the story behind this special place.
Walk Through Our Family Home (Warning: Slightly Dizzying, Totally Sentimental)
This quick video walkthrough was taken just before we began renovations on our inherited Raeside-Dame home. The camera work may be a bit wobbly (hello, 2019 skills!), but I’m so grateful I captured it. Every frame holds a memory, from familiar antique pieces to cozy corners now transformed. Don’t blink, or you might miss that chair I almost didn’t let go of!
Your Guide to Embracing Eclectic Style, Vintage Finds, and Thrifted Home Inspiration~
Love decorating with vintage finds, thrifted treasures, and eclectic charm? I’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment below, share this post with a vintage-loving friend, or join our Reader’s Showcase Series — where we feature your favorite thrifted and antique finds. Email me at [email protected] to be part of it!
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This was so fun to read! I’ve always wondered what the interior was like in some of the homes there. My sister lives in a reproduction of the Oracle house in Strawberry Banke right behind there. She and i used to be heavy in antiquing and loved early American furniture and the quaintness of the building styles. When I come up to visit, I would often run in J- Lane especially at Christmas and see how everyone decorated the houses there.
Hi Elaine, I’m glad you enjoyed it. We’ve done a lot of work and it’s very dear to us. I love Strawberry Banke, such a beautiful section of Portsmouth. Happy New year!
Thank you Elaine, I’m glad you enjoyed it. We’ve done a lot of work and the home is very dear to us. I love Strawberry Banke, it’s such a beautiful section of Portsmouth! Happy New Year!