Diana Arcadipone’s works, whether paintings or mixed media, are layered and magical—much like the idyllic acreage where she lives with her partner, Scott Berk, in Otisfield, Maine. Peppered with saplings and home to a revolving cast of native critters, including fox, deer, and coyotes, the enchanting property accommodates the couple’s home, a barn, a woodshop, an art studio, and, most recently, a tiny guesthouse.

With four buildings on the premises, why break ground on another structure? “We needed a second bathroom,” explains Diana.

But it was more than that, of course. “This is a couple that loves to entertain,” says architect Leslie Benson, who runs her firm by the same name. “None of their family or friends are near Otisfield, so any guests they have tend to stay overnight.”

While this may not pose a problem in larger homes, Diana and Scott’s 1,000-square-foot residence is of the cozier variety. “There was no privacy,” Diana says. “We were putting people up in my studio, which doesn’t have plumbing. The need for a second wash space quickly grew into a desire for a separate, comfortable accommodation.”

Benson didn’t belabor the undertaking. “The process was fairly quick. The only real challenge was working within the buildable area, which was sandwiched between the road and the leach field. This constraint resulted in a linear and narrow footprint of 560 internal square feet, to which we added a lofted area to gain space. The loft expresses itself inside and out at the intersection of the roof planes, which is one of my favorite features.”

Although the intersecting roof planes give the exterior a contemporary twist, Benson notes that the cladding (a blend of corrugated metal and stained cedar clapboards) keeps the guesthouse not only materially cohesive with the other buildings on site, but also camouflaged against its arborous setting. Riffs on classic Maine camps and cabins carry over indoors, where crisp white walls set off function-first furnishings in earthy browns, greens, and blues.

Despite its size, the guesthouse packs a surprising number of amenities. In addition to the open-concept kitchen and living space, there’s a screened porch, a mudroom with a chic floating bench, a bedroom, one bathroom, and a separate space for laundry. The loft, marked by a custom metal railing, provides additional flexible space.

Diana and Scott played a significant part in the build alongside their contractor, Seth Gallant. “We started in 2019, right before the pandemic,” Scott remembers. “When lockdown began, I had a lot of extra time to contribute to the project.” From clearing the land to assisting with framing and hauling cement cones for the porch, Scott had a hand in nearly every aspect of the build. After receiving a high quote for electrical work, he decided to do the wiring himself. “We had a professional to supervise and double check,” he says, “but it certainly feels good to learn a new skill. There’s a lot of pride to be had in that.”

$500 Site Work	$34,700 Foundation (including excavation, concrete, well drilling, and pump)	$28,300 Structural (framing, insulation, drywall, siding, and envelope)
$7,385.57 Flooring	$11,742 Roofing	$5,701 Electrical (excludes owner’s labor)
$13,962 Plumbing, Kitchen & Bath Fixtures (includes on-demand gas hot water heater)	$7,500 HVAC Equipment (includes heat pump)	$1,360 Landscaping
$4,500 Cabinetry	$3,000 Countertops	$11,133 Appliances
$9,452 Glazing & Doors	$3,868 Wall Finishes	$3,980 Tilework (shower, foyer, heated bathroom flooring)
$1,283 Metalwork	$9,800 Furnishings & Decor (excludes artwork)	$461.20 Permitting
$49,485.46 Architect and Builder Fees (excludes owner’s labor)	$0 Project Manager Fee (owner managed)
Grand Total: $208,113.23

While the dwelling was intended for guests, Diana and Scott have each checked into the tranquil space themselves, too. “Both of us came down with Covid. The ‘patient’ was put up in the guesthouse, while the healthy one stayed at home,” Diana says. “With all of the hard work we poured into the building, it was nice to have the chance to bond with it quietly,” says Scott.

Benson, too, had a chance to enjoy the space. “As an architect, it’s not very often that you get to experience a finished residential project,” she says. “My husband and I had to wait quite a while for the guesthouse to be available to stay in, but it was entirely worth it. Diana and Scott have such great taste, and the final product isn’t just livable—despite the small square footage it’s simultaneously cozy, airy, peaceful, simple, and luxurious.”

Diana and Scott are thrilled to report that their guesthouse has encouraged friends and family to visit from across the country. But, when no one’s there and the house is quiet, Diana likes to curl up in front of the large picture windows (a project splurge) and watch the wildlife wander by. “We’re near a lake here, but after the summer traffic dissipates and we transition into autumn, it is incredibly quiet and peaceful. Since I was a child, I dreamed of having my own home and studio in the Maine woods. To be able to share this place with others is truly a dream come true.”

More Budget Breakdown:

A Maine Family Build Their First Home With $500K—and Plenty of Helping Hands

A Couple Build a Cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains for $150K—Without Borrowing a Cent

Project Credits:

Architect of Record: Leslie Benson Designs / @lesliebensondesigns

Builder/General Contractor: Seth Gallant

Structural Engineer: Structural Integrity

Interior Design: Diana Arcadipone

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Budget Breakdown: Their Maine Property Only Had One Bathroom, So They Built a Guesthouse for $208K