About a week after we moved into our new place and hopefully this is the last stop because I can’t believe I am saying this but I am actually tired of moving AND I think after all these years we have finally found the perfect spot and we both 100% feel at home here in every which way possible {the house, the community, the property itself} my husband came to the startling realization that our place would make the perfect spot for a summer camp type vacation retreat for our nieces and nephews.
I didn’t say much when he first started rambling on about the idea because he was so excited about the prospect and how much fun they would have… pitching tents in the backyard, lawn games, making smores in the firepit {that we don’t have} kayaking, canoeing, going out on the boat {that we don’t have yet} digging for clams {are there even clams here?} exploring the nearby islands... yada yada yada he went on and on about this for days.
Until one day he got a puzzled look on his face and then asked how old the {his brothers} kids were. And then I had to pop his balloon. They’re in HIGH SCHOOL and COLLEGE!!! And they’re from SOUTHERN CALIFORINIA!!! And I’m pretty sure that if their parents put them on a plane and they came out to the boondocks of Maine, they would probably think they had just landed on the moon.
And then we had a good laugh about the idea.
But then I couldn’t get the idea of “Camp Butterfield” out of my head.
I still can’t get the idea out of my head.
And now every time I try and imagine how we’re going to re-do or decorate a particular room in the house, all I can think about is how can we give it a more camp like feel?
But by camp like feel, I guess I mean more of a natural, relaxed, educational, fun but totally unique Maine type of look.
So I think it’s pretty well documented here on the blog that I like my spaces a little on the sparse and uncluttered side. So when we bought our last house {that was basically 1/3 of the size of the previous house} and had to buy a new bed frame for that guest room, I went with one of those simple platform beds rather than the traditional big heavy bed sets we have always had in the past because the room was so tiny it could barely hold a twin size bed in it.
Well fast forward to the house we’re in now, and not only could the new guest room accommodate one twin bed, but two so I went ahead and ordered the exact same platform bed and mattress as the old place.
Inflatable foam beds… they’re all the rage {and insanely comfortable too!}
In addition to the platform bed and mattress, I also ordered the exact same bedding we had in our last house. I had originally picked out the blue and white bedding because Monkey Boy was coming to visit and I wanted him to feel comfortable and well, it turns out the whole blue and white theme was the perfect fit for Camp Butterfield as well. š
{Painted blue floors! They were like that when we bought the house. Kind of funky, and kind of cool if you ask me.}
Actually, nearly everything in the twin room at Camp Butterfield came from our time in our last house or our last last house, including these cute little Lori Mitchell figurines {you know you’re getting old when you start to collect figurines} and bits of sea glass.
A jar full of mussel shells. The HH and I collected those on our morning walks along the beach.
And the wooden buoys we made for the breezeway of the old place. And that rug!!! š
Really, the only new element we added were these beautiful water color prints I found on Etsy by artist Kate Dolamore.
Because when you go to camp, you should always be learning new things… right? Like the local birds and mammals in the area.
With it’s freshly painted white walls, I feel like our new guest room has sort of a no frills, comfortable but not too comfortable {the maximum stay here at Camp Butterfield is 3 days} feel to it. Nothing too fancy, nothing too trendy, just a clean and calm place to rest your head after a long day of exploring.
Plain and simple. Just the way I like it. š
Keep Calm and Carry On.
~Mavis
Here are links to the items we sourced for the room in case someone is interested:
- Blue and Cream Woven Rug
- Watercolor Prints
- Barnwood Frames
- Red Linen Pillow Cases
- Blue and Cream Ticking Duvet Cover
- Down Alternative Duvet
- Cotton Sheets
- Twin Mattress
- Mattress Pad
- Platform Bed Frame
- Wooden Buoys
- Lori Mitchell Figurines
- Lamp
Tracey says
It’s so welcoming! (but not toooo welcoming). š Love the colors.
Charla says
Iād love to go to your camp! It looks so peaceful
Mel says
I love the camp vibe! I also really thought this might end with bunk beds, and I was wondering how that would work with the window, but the two beds work perfectly.
Robin in WI says
Looks and sounds very inviting to me! š You and your future grandkids will make fantastic memories at your forever place. Some of the best times of my life were up north at my grandparents’ lake home. I stayed with them every summer as often as they could stand me, for one-week stretches at a time.
Robin says
Crazy notion — if you built a tiny house on the property, you could Airbnb it as Camp Butterfield for both relatives and paying guests. š
Jeanine says
Camp Butterfield!
Sign me up! The room looks great and cozy!
Kari says
It’s perfect! I especially love the prints. I may have to copy, but Idaho style.
Paula says
It’s perfect!
Sue says
Camp Butterfield! Perfect name for your new home.
Love the room, just pretend you and the HH are the campers and keep giving updates on your adventures.
Cindi says
I love the blue floors. The whole room looks great. You’re all set if you ever have grandkids.
Carolina Cooper says
Or WHEN they have grand kids. Seems that today young people are marrying later and having kids later.
deb k says
Mavis, the room looks wonderful for guests. I have a question. Since you say the inflatable foam bed is insanely comfortable, I thought I’d ask, do you think someone who likes soft mattresses ( not the firm ones ) would be comfortable on it? Thanks
Mavis Butterfield says
I like my mattress somewhere in the middle {not too soft, not too firm} and they are just the right thickness /comfort level for me.
deb k says
Thanks
Richelle says
What brand are the mattresses?
Mavis Butterfield says
Vesgantti. Here’s the link: https://amzn.to/3lKgivE
Mrs. M. says
We have a Nectar mattress… same type (foam that’s shipped and has to expand).
It’s been a blessing! No more back pain!
Mh kelly says
I like it, I like it a lot
Theresa Guetlich says
The room is perfect…..and someday you may have grandkids to attend Camp Butterfield!
debbie in alaska says
super cute! perfect camp like guest room – but better
MEM says
I misunderstood at first about the inflatable mattress – we have some and they are not comfortable. What you have is vacuum-rolled and self-inflates upon opening and stays that way. I do like your “spare” style but my husband gets rid of nothing and we do not have the kind of relationship where I would get rid of any of his “stuff”. He was a 40-something confirmed bachelor when we met and as my mother used to say “honey, he isn’t going to change now.” š
Linda Sand says
It would make a good Air BnB room until grandkids come along.
PSUCHIC06 says
Maybe an airbnb….while you and the HH go on a long weekend, or week long tour of New England? Could be a nice side hustle?! Room looks so darn inviting and comfy!
Ruth says
Cute room, not too fancy, not too plain, Just right for 3 days!
If the HH needs a project, how about shiplap on the window wall?
It would tie in the rustic feel of the floor ( good call as wet, sandy swimsuits land on the floor ; )
ANN says
Shiplap on the window wall would be perfect!
Ann says
Diagonally perhaps.
Angela D. says
Ooooh, yes! Another vote for shiplap on the window wall.
Teresa M says
Just open a B&B and be done with it! Know thy strengths!
Sandy says
I love it-just perfect. We just built a very tiny house in our yard-120 sq ft, with electricity, TV, cable, heating & air.-even a front porch… I did a Yosemite camp theme, Pendleton blankets, vintage national park pennants such fun. Even found cement deer statues for the yard. Having so much fun, I even stay out there!
I was really bored during Covid!
Your house is wonderful. I look in Maine all the time-love it, but my So Cal family could never adapt.
thank you for sharing
Kim says
3 day maximum! I knew you were one of the smartest people I have ever known!
š
Nancy Sadewater says
The room looks great!
Christina@BargainBlog says
Love this room! And those watercolor prints are just stunning. I couldn’t stop looking at them.
Miranda says
Hi, It’s a very nice cute guest room! I love the color of the wall! Can I ask you the color of paint (and brand too!)?