Seven Lakes Inn in Maine: Summer-Ready Lodgings by a Mother-Daughter Duo

Start typing to search...

The latest weekend escape I’m eyeing here in Maine? Seven Lakes Inn, recently opened in an 1840s farmhouse in Belgrade. I first spotted glimpses on Instagram and was struck by the design-minded but unfussy interiors: black-painted bed frames, natural-fiber rugs, classic quilts—the kind of place you can hang up your wet bathing suit after a plunge in the lake without having to worry.

And no wonder: The four-room inn is the project of a mother and daughter—Carolyn Walker (mother) and Jordan Shaw (daughter)—who are also both alums of California-based vintage shop Elsie Green. “My mom and I have worked on many creative projects together over the last several years and designed a couple of fixer-upper rental properties in the Sebastopol/Russian River areas but always wanted to find a place closer to our family in Maine,” writes Jordan. “Our family has had a camp just down the road from the inn for 50+ years, and my great grandparents were from Maine. So while I was born and raised in Northern California, I have been visiting this area most summers since I was born. My mom’s cousins live just down the road, and we have had our eye on this property for decades. Every time we drove by in the past we would always remark, ‘One day we have to buy that place.’”

That day came last year. Jordan had decamped from California to Portland, Maine, to search for a place with her mom, “but with Covid and whatnot the timing wasn’t great,” she says, so she headed back to California. “Then, out of the blue, an alert for the real estate listing for this property popped up on my computer. We flew back the very next day and made an offer. We couldn’t let it get away from us again.”

The inn opened this summer; an overnight includes vintage finds (many sourced via Elsie Green, Maine-based Marston House, and elsewhere), lake views, and breakfast. Join us for a tour.

Photography courtesy of Elsie Green, except where noted.

the trim front entry. &#8\2\20;the building and barn have had several uses 17 — Above: The trim front entry. “The building and barn have had several uses over the last years, most recently as an inn,” writes Jordan. “My mom’s an artist—a painter amongst many other talents. She and I also love to hunt for antiques, and we’ve had such an amazing time finding special pieces from around New England to fill up this space and designing each guest room with its own unique but cohesive expression.” Jordan’s uncle, a contractor who lives in town, pitched in on the transformation.

entry at seven lakes inn in maine, photo via elsie green 18

entry at seven lakes inn in maine, photo via jordan shaw 19

Above L: The entryway and check-in desk. Above R: Buoys and other collected finds hang from a peg rail. Photograph via Jordan Shaw.

the entry opens into the dining area and sitting room. photograph via jordan sh 20 — Above: The entry opens into the dining area and sitting room. Photograph via Jordan Shaw.

breakfast is served in the dining room—painted in a moody green grey, ni 21 — Above: Breakfast is served in the dining room—painted in a moody green-grey, Nitty Gritty Roman Clay by Portola Paints—or on the porch overlooking the lake. Photograph via Jordan Shaw.

a glimpse of the kitchen, which looks straight out of farmhouse summers past. 22 — Above: A glimpse of the kitchen, which looks straight out of farmhouse summers past.

breakfast offerings. &#8\2\20;i’m also a chef, so we’re in th 23 — Above: Breakfast offerings. “I’m also a chef, so we’re in the midst of acquiring the necessary permitting to be able to offer more dining options beyond the breakfast,” writes Jordan. Photograph via Jordan Shaw.

bed and breakfast tasks done the old school way (note the linens in a woven bas 24 — Above: Bed and breakfast tasks done the old-school way (note the linens in a woven basket).

guest room at seven lakes inn in maine, photo via elsie green 25

guest room at seven lakes inn in maine, photo via elsie green 26

Above: One of the four guest rooms, with white-painted floors, simple woven rugs, and a cobalt quilt (further evidence that quilts are having a moment). Each of the rooms has an ensuite bath.