Located at the mouth of a river in Southern Maine, this contemporary cottage was designed for clients who love to entertain. Working with the site layout, footprint, and foundation of an existing home, our goal was to preserve as much of the existing structure as possible, while creating flexibility for the homeowners to hold different-sized gatherings comfortably. Another design goal was to separate the home’s public entertainment and gathering spaces from its private spaces. An open first-floor plan features a well-connected kitchen, dining, and living areas. A large music room with a grand piano alcove features French doors at both the waterside deck and south-facing terrace that allow the room to open up to the outdoors on idyllic summer days.