An award winning gem, & the quintessential beachouse, with a private sand beach
The osprey return to their nest at “Duck Down” on Rockport Harbor in mid-April every year. By July, you can see the chicks just yards from the shore. If you are really lucky, you will be a witness to their flying and fish catching lessons. You can also see the great blue heron on the private sand beach ducking and squawking to avoid the swoops of the mother osprey protecting her chicks. Resident seals, egrets, mallards, gulls, cormorants, and the belted kingfisher will keep you company during your stay.

While dining on the balcony of the main house at tree height, cardinals and chickadees, goldfinches, house finches, and humming birds flit about and sing a few yards from your seat.

If you dine at the beach house you are directly over the water on the deck.

All these are everyday occurrences at “Duck Down”, a waterfront residence designed by the renowned American architect, Hugh Newell Jacobsen, and featured in Architectural Digest in October 2010.

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Hugh Jacobsen became a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects in l971, and in 1992 he was elected an Academician of the National Academy of Design. Jacobsen draws his inspiration from the vernacular architecture of the American homestead. He says 'good detailing should never show the agony it took to produce it, but appear as if it had not been detailed at all. My detailing is deliberately sparse and linear in order to enhance the spaces within and without.'

“Duck Down” is very privately located at the end of a cul-de-sac; the very end is Rockport Harbor, in mid-coast Maine, on Penobscot Bay, famous for fabulous boating and mouth-watering lobsters. We still have an active fleet of lobstermen here in the Harbor.

Among the unique features of this waterfront residential compound is the private, sand beach – a rarity in these parts, a beach house directly on the beach, perennial gardens, vegetable and herb gardens, and exquisite landscaping with large boulder walls and masses of rosa rugosa.

The main house is all about space and light - the two intrinsic elements of Jacobsen's designs. Basically our home presents water, light and space in a way that makes it a pleasure to be in it 24 hours a day. There are water views from almost every room on both floors. The ceilings in the living room are over 20 feet tall, providing a feeling of vast openness, a strong connection to the waterfront, and ever changing light throughout the day and evening.

The first floor includes a balcony with dining and sitting areas with far reaching views over the Harbor and the Bay. You will find large pots of basil, rosemary, and parsley out here for your enjoyment and use. The balcony area features glass rails so that your view is never interrupted. The flooring is white and there is a Lexan roof which lets in light. You can sit out here in light rainfalls, as well as just about any other weather.

The living room and dining area are located just inside the balcony. In the dramatic living room area there is a propane fireplace and a television hidden behind a large painting over the fireplace. Refer to the photos to see how this looks when it is open. There is also a whole wall of bookcases, called eggcrate bookcases by the architect. Guests will also find a mirrored bar with an antique verde marble top and loads of glass shelves and glassware. Regarding furniture, there is a white sofa by Pottery Barn, a tan leather sofa, two upholstered swiveling chairs (so you can turn and look out the Harbor), as well as two large glass coffee tables. There is a wool berber rug in this room.

The living room opens on to the dining area, which contains a marble-topped dining table which seats 8 comfortably. There is wonderfully dramatic lighting throughout the first floor, so the atmosphere at dinner can be rowdy and disorganized or romantic and elegant.

The dining area opens on to the kitchen, which includes the full array of stainless steel appliances and white Corian countertops.

We love to cook, so every tool, pot, and machine known to man is in this area. The flooring on the whole upper level is bleached and stained red oak, it has a beautiful patina.

There is an amazing powder room on the first floor, with a single piece of glass providing the entire sink and countertop in one seamless jewell. There is also a large amount of mirrored surface in this room, so that there are actually water views when you are standing in the sink area.

The front door of the house is accessed by a granite walkway and as you enter the custom made, chevron patterned, royal blue door you will find a long and beautiful entry area, with unique small lights hanging from the ceiling. These are called Joshua lights. There are also large floor to ceiling closets here.

The entire house interior is painted in white, with walls that reach directly to the floor. There is no trim on the floor, much like you would find in museums and art galleries. Of course, it is quite dramatic. There are sliding glass doors throughout both levels. The house offers in-floor radiant heat, so you never have to touch a thermostat. There is a security system that you can set when you will be away from the house, not that you will ever want to leave once you get here.

There is a powder coated white staircase that leads to the lower level of the house. Here you will find a utility area with a large capacity washer and dryer, as well as a utility sink. Vermont nonfading green slate covers the floors of the lower level. The second bedroom contains a queen size bed, two chairs and a table, as well as a small table with drawer; all by Maine Cottage Furniture. There are wall hung night tables with drawers on either side of the bed. There are unobstructed water views here, and sliding glass doors which lead out to a pebble walking area. There are black out shades which can be lowered at night. The bathroom here offers a combination tub and shower, toilet, and a sink and counter covered with one piece of white Corian. Because of the mirrored wall by the sink and cabinet area, you can see the water while standing in this room. There are cabinets, clothing rack areas, and dressing areas in this bedroom as well.

The piece de resistance on the lower level is the master bedroom and master bathroom and sauna. There is a dressing area with cabinets as you enter this room. The master bedroom offers a California king bed, a white leather ottoman which rises from the floor to reveal a television, mahogany rocking chair and table and a white adirondack chair. Most of the furniture in this room is by Maine Cottage Furniture. One whole wall is lined with floor to ceiling closets. There are wide water views and glass sliding doors. There are black out shades which are remotely controlled. The master bedroom also contains a propane fireplace.

From the bedroom area, one enters the master bathroom. Here you will find matching sinks and white Corian countertops, a glass enclosed shower with two rain forest shower heads and a white tile floor, a sunken bath tub, and an electric sauna. One can admire the water views while enjoying a luxurious bath.

Granite steps in the landscaping lead to the beach house and private sand beach. Here you will find the quintessential Maine beach house where sand on the floor is de rigueur. Here you will find a living room with glass sliding doors that lead out onto the deck. Another door in the living room area leads you to the beach. In this room, you will also find a gas fired stove with glass front. There is a pullman kitchen here, as well as a powder room.

Upstairs there are two bedrooms with water views furnished with queen size beds. There is a full bathroom with a combination shower and tub and ample sink and counter space.

Last, and most importantly, is the private sand beach. Set up the beach umbrella, pull out the chairs from the beach toy shed, and sit awhile. Make a beach fire with s'mores for dessert, collect beach glass and innumerable shells. Watch the boats and the osprey nest. Generally kick back and enjoy!

Guests can rent kayaks (there are two available for tenants) and bicycles right in Rockport, take a sail on the schooner “Heron”, visit the nearby charming towns of Camden, with Camden Hills State Park overlooking the whole of Penobscot Bay, as well as a number of historic schooners; Rockland, where the Farnsworth Art Museum is well noted for its Wyeth collection covering three generations, and many high quality art galleries. One can also go farther afield up to Acadia National Park, or south to the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay Harbor or to the hip and happening city of Portland.

Cultural offerings abound, including the Bay Chamber Concerts in the historic Rockport Opera House, and Shakespearean plays presented in plein aire in the Bok Amphitheater. This marvel was designed by landscape architect Fletcher Steele, at the National Historic Landmark -the Camden Public Library.

When you are ready to take a break from lobsters on the balcony dining area or the beach house deck, you can head for an amazing array of restaurants with chefs who have received James Beard awards, like Primo in Rockland, charming bistros like Francine in Camden, and the internationally acclaimed Natalie’s at the Camden Harbor Inn. If you want something really nearby, take a short walk into the quaint village to visit Shepherd’s Pie or Salt Water Farm.

So come to “Duck Down”, have a beach fire (wood included) , see the sites, sail on the Bay, play a round of golf, or just spend the day barefoot on your own private sand beach collecting sea glass and wonderful memories.