a first time visitor has come upon the crossroad signs scattered about our countryside that point north, east, south, west and some directions only found in Maine. (Like down east to go north!) So when journeying towards HIDDEN POND, don't fret because it seems a bit remote and clearly unmarked. In fact your only guide just might be the faded yellow line in the middle of Goose Rocks Road. But fear not because just "that mile up the road" paradise awaits.Approaching from Kennepunkport (south) the main entrance is the second left,. Large rock outcroppings, artistically placed by a landscaper other then Mother Nature, announce your arrival. Up the road " a bit," 
the artfully designed garden is on your right
. Around one more sweeping bend and you have entered the magic kingdom of HIDDEN POND.
WELCOME!
...to the Cottages at HIDDEN POND. This sixty acre compound is the latest brainchild and development of Atlantic Holdings who created Cabot Cove in Kennebunkport a few years ago. Partners Tim Harrington and Juan Urtubey market nostalgia and the State of Maine slogan, "The Way Life should Be." Unlike Cabot Cove which was developed as condominiums , HIDDEN POND is developed to operate as a high end resort. So once the two week Decorator Showcase ( www.hiddenpond.com/showcase) , running from the gala on June 27 to July 9, is concluded, HIDDEN POND enters its next phase and designated mission, a family oriented cottage resort. It is with that eye that I share my thoughts on my June 24th visit.
First stop is the lodge. Contemporary Adirondack rustic in style, it is quite modern day majestic with its craftsman timber, stone and wrought iron work.
Custom made furnishings from re-claimed wood are both inviting and organically beautiful. "Come. Sit in me," they softly speak. Fine art adorns the walls. I could easily spend many a day curled up reading or socializing in this arena.
Custom made furnishings from re-claimed wood are both inviting and organically beautiful. "Come. Sit in me," they softly speak. Fine art adorns the walls. I could easily spend many a day curled up reading or socializing in this arena.Directly outside is the swimming pool, lawn and "recreation" area. Sophisticated indoor-outdoor furnishings have been decorator selected. This entire set appeals to my adult get away dream but I'm not sure how it's going to play to raucous kids and normal family noise. I keep seeing kids cannonball into the pool screaming "Marco," "Polo!" More Disneyesque then serenity in the woods. But the beach is about a mile away so maybe shuttles will take the energy of youth there.
Tucked into the manicured woodlands, with pine needle walkways, are fourteen theme 
"decorator" cottages ready to make your "rustic" Maine summer resort experience present day comfortable. Offering a variety of different layouts and one or two levels, all the abodes have two bedrooms, two baths, large living/dining/kitchen area, outdoor shower and a screened in porch. I particularly like the focus and functionality of the porch as it invites the guest to participate in al fresco living. On a warm summer night it can be a most desirable sleeping chamber. Sleeping porches, built off the master bedroom, were once a common room in summer homes of yesteryear. Nice to have them back.
"decorator" cottages ready to make your "rustic" Maine summer resort experience present day comfortable. Offering a variety of different layouts and one or two levels, all the abodes have two bedrooms, two baths, large living/dining/kitchen area, outdoor shower and a screened in porch. I particularly like the focus and functionality of the porch as it invites the guest to participate in al fresco living. On a warm summer night it can be a most desirable sleeping chamber. Sleeping porches, built off the master bedroom, were once a common room in summer homes of yesteryear. Nice to have them back.The decor is everything from traditional blue and white cottage chic, woodsy camp, re-claimed-re-cycled, to white on white or apple green plexi and tin. The installations are all meticulously conceived and decorator executed. Of the seven out of fourteen cottages I visited on my quick two hour tour, I came away with the following feelings.
Most Kid Friendly Bedroom: The Smokey the Bear room in FIREFLIES by Brett Johnson. Warm, inviting...lots of room to play. And it smells like the woods. As a mom, I loved the custom fabricated agate green cement sink that won't show the dirt washed off from the outside play.
Most
Family Inviting Camp: THANK YOU cottage executed by Beverly Bangs. Having raised three boys, Beverly inherently understands the rough and tumble comfort that families desire. This is definitely a kick-back camp and sweatshirts left on the floor won't be noticed.
Family Inviting Camp: THANK YOU cottage executed by Beverly Bangs. Having raised three boys, Beverly inherently understands the rough and tumble comfort that families desire. This is definitely a kick-back camp and sweatshirts left on the floor won't be noticed.Most Creatively Interactive: The winning combined talents of designers Darcie Bundy and Jane Fox in SWEET FERN have left me totally captivated. 
The bird inspired wooden loom shuttles from Tibet, installed over the fireplace, best exemplify the genius of Bundy and Fox at work. Bundy found the box of birds in an antique shop, Fox brought them to life by securing them to movable arms. My first impression was, sandpipers running along the beach.
The bird inspired wooden loom shuttles from Tibet, installed over the fireplace, best exemplify the genius of Bundy and Fox at work. Bundy found the box of birds in an antique shop, Fox brought them to life by securing them to movable arms. My first impression was, sandpipers running along the beach.The downstairs bathroom sink is a combination vessel sink fabricated from an old granite christening basin set into a rectangular galvanized steel vanity holding beach stones. Their imagination and execution holds no boundaries.
Dream Bedroom: Again in SWEET FERN, tuck me into the India -
SHAHRAZAD master bedroom and let me dream beneath the floating bed canopy. Darcie Bundy is passionate about textiles and her love is in evidence here. Before your eyes shut, gaze upon her original painting of Goose Rocks Beach. Sweet dreams and more.
SHAHRAZAD master bedroom and let me dream beneath the floating bed canopy. Darcie Bundy is passionate about textiles and her love is in evidence here. Before your eyes shut, gaze upon her original painting of Goose Rocks Beach. Sweet dreams and more.Gather Ye Friends: I love the post-modern treatment at LAZY DAYS by Krista Stokes. Open, open space and the creative use of natural woodland and seashore elements is very appealing. From custom designed headboards made of slate chips framed in a wooden frame to the
mussel shell encircled bathroom mirror, Krista's use of natural raw materials is inspired.
mussel shell encircled bathroom mirror, Krista's use of natural raw materials is inspired.
Definitely Martini Time: Hip and contemporary with nostalgic elements. DAY DREAM breaks out of the traditional and presents a different take on "Life As It Should Be." Mark Spiker has presented a fun, full of life interpretation. 
From traditional oars for towel bars to corrugated steel screens, Mark is gutsy in his marriage of old with new. For anyone who doesn't like overstuffed, check in here. 
From traditional oars for towel bars to corrugated steel screens, Mark is gutsy in his marriage of old with new. For anyone who doesn't like overstuffed, check in here. 
HIDDEN POND as a development is refreshing and encouraging. Its principles are committed to the green movement and a return to family centered life. This task will be an effort requiring finesse and adjustment beyond the Decorator Showcase. As a show house, this is a must visit for anyone looking for decorator inspiration. There's no better ticket in town. As a destination resort, it will evolve. Presently I see it as perfect location for a:
Destination Wedding
Adult Reunion
Corporate Meeting / Retreat
Adult Camp
Beyond enjoying the natural wooded setting, guest could bring or rent a bike as it's an easy trek to Goose Rocks Beach, Kennebunkport or the antique vendors in Arundel.
Tim Harrington and Juan Urbutey are to be commended for taking on this great challenge. It's a long journey from developer to hotelier. But as they did with Cabot Cove, they always leave it better then they found it. HIDDEN POND will evolve and find its rightful place in the environment of today and tomorrow.
To visit the Show House, which contirbutes to three charitable organizations, or to check-in as a guest...find your way there. Don't let it be said, "You can't get there from here."
Happy, lazy, HIDDEN POND days.(http://www.cottagesathiddenpond.com/)
Madeline....enjoying it all on the Back Cove of Portland
