NEW LISTING! Set within a beautifully restored Victorian duplex, The Cornerstone was designed to blend the comfort of a boutique hotel and privacy & convenience of a vacation rental, creating a stay that feels both elevated and distinctly Portland. Enjoy a tree-lined neighborhood with local gems nearby. Start your day with a stroll to Norimoto Bakery, then wind down with a cocktail at Woodford F&B—all just 10 minutes from the Old Port and all that downtown has to offer.
WELCOME TO THE CORNERSTONE
Historic charm meets curated character in the heart of Deering Highlands.
The Cornerstone is ideal for:
• Groups & Families who value comfortable, well-designed spaces to gather
• Design-Lovers who appreciate layered lighting and vintage finds.
• Foodies who want a functional culinary workspace and local market access.
• Local-Focused Travelers who appreciate the ease and insight of having on-site hosts and a resident’s perspective.
STANDOUT FEATURES
• Versatile living spaces → Dine together, intimate chats by the fireplace, spread out, find a reading nook, or gather for a movie.
• Coffee setup for actual coffee people → Drip, Nespresso, K-cup, French Press, or Chemex
• A real kitchen → fully stocked, designed for cooking together, not just heating things up
• Layered, design-forward interiors → warm, coastal New England aesthetic
• Restorative Sleep → Individual climate control, sound machines, and quality linens.
• Premium Entertainment → Includes YouTube TV for live 2026 WORLD CUP matches, plus NFL Sunday Ticket for access to Sunday afternoon football games!
THE SPACE
Three bedrooms. Two Bathrooms. One very good kitchen.
The layout is built around a simple idea: space is a cornerstone of comfort.
Instead of maximizing bed count, we prioritized comfortable bedrooms and generous living areas where groups can truly settle in.
The aesthetic is a curated collection of New England charm. From hand-painted coastal murals that capture our local landscapes to an eclectic gallery of collected art. Layered lighting throughout sets the tone, from bright, easy mornings to slower, more ambient evenings. With two distinct lounges, your group has options: gather for a celebratory dinner or long conversation in one, then drift to the secondary lounge for a movie or a nightcap.
In the kitchen, old-world-contemporary aesthetics meet real utility. It’s a space for those who love to cook; well-equipped, intuitive, and ready for anything from a quick breakfast to a full dinner. Spend your morning at Rosemont Market, Pat’s Meat Market, or the Deering Oaks Farmers' Market, then come home to a kitchen that makes meal prep part of the experience.
At the end of the day, retreat to bedrooms designed with rest in mind, complete with layered bedding and thoughtful comforts to help you recharge for another day on the Maine coast.
SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS
Comfortably sleeps 7, with flexible sleeping arrangements for up to 8 guests. For larger groups, the den can be closed off as an additional sleeping space with an air mattress available upon request.
Bedroom 1: King bed
Bedroom 2: Queen bed + twin trundle
Bedroom 3: Queen bed
Designed for restful stays, each bedroom includes quality mattresses and linens, individual climate control, and thoughtful conveniences throughout. Every room is equipped with:
• USB + USB-C bedside charging
• Smart TV with Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney+, and YouTube TV
• Full-length mirror
• Sound machine
• Oscillating Fan
Bedroom 1 — King Bed (First floor) Primary bedroom with en suite bath. Inspired by Maine’s rugged history, this primary suite features vintage photography of Maine's logging industry.
• King mattress, hotel-quality linens, Pacific Coast goose feather duvet
• En suite bathroom with heated flooring and heated bidet
• Room-darkening curtains + light filtering sheers
• Makeup vanity
Bedroom 2 — Queen Bed + Twin Trundle (Second floor) Calm and whimsical. Featuring a hand-painted mural of the Scarborough marsh, soft sage trim, reading chair, and upholstered queen daybed with twin trundle.
• Queen daybed + twin trundle, hotel-quality linens, Brooklinen duvets
• Room-darkening curtains + blinds
• Reading chair with lamp
• Additional folding side table for flexibility
Bedroom 3 — Queen Bed (Second floor) Sleep under a Victorian-style canopy in a space inspired by the deep blues and soft greens of Maine’s coastal marshes. Corner windows bring in natural afternoon light, while an oversized mirror makes getting ready with a group effortless.
• Queen mattress, hotel-quality linens, Pacific Coast goose feather duvet
• Room-darkening curtains + blinds
• Reading chair with lamp
THE KITCHEN
Our favorite room in the house!
This isn't a rental kitchen stocked with the bare minimum. It's a home cook's setup complete with: a KitchenAid mixer, Ninja blender, Chemex, French Press, Nespresso, K-cup, and drip coffee maker, and the kind of well-chosen tools that make cooking feel like the point, not just a means to an end.
• A large island provides generous counter space and seats four comfortably
• Locally roasted coffee + a variety of teas provided
• Olive oil + basic spices stocked so you're not starting from zero
• Full set of pots + pans
WHAT'S PROVIDED
We’ve stocked the home with high-quality essentials so you can pack a little lighter. Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, hand soap, lotion, plus kitchen and cleaning supplies, all sourced from Public Goods, known for simple, well-designed products that are sustainable, vegan, and cruelty-free.
THE SOUNDTRACK
A record player with built-in Bluetooth sits in the living room, ready to anchor the mood of your evening. Flip through the vinyl collection or connect your phone to stream your own playlist.
For a restful end to the night, each bedroom is equipped with a dedicated sound machine to ensure a peaceful wind-down.
THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Deering Highlands is a beautiful, residential neighborhood, removed from the bustle of the Old Port, while still being close to everything. You can walk to coffee, run the Baxter Woods trails, or drive downtown in ten minutes.
Getting around:
• University of New England (UNE) Portland → 3 min drive / 10 min walk
• University of Southern Maine (USM) → 5 min drive / 20 min walk
• Deering Center (Dining & Shops) → 3 min drive / 15 min walk
• Baxter Woods Trails → 15 min walk
• Back Cove Trail → 7 min drive
• Old Port + Downtown Portland → 10 min drive
• Portland Jetport (PWM) → 10 min drive
• Eastern Promenade → 10 min drive
• Thompsons Point → 8 min drive / 30 min walk
Groceries nearby: Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, Rosemont Market & Bakery, --Pat's Meat Market. If you're here on a Saturday morning, the Portland Farmers Market is worth a stop.
Forgot something? The South Portland retail hub is just 10 minutes away. You’ll find Target for the quick essentials and HomeGoods for a rainy-day browse
BOOKING CONSIDERATIONS
To help plan your stay, please note:
• Duplex Transparency: We love the character of this duplex, but it does come with the occasional soundtrack of shared living. We’ve placed sound machines and fans in each bedroom to help buffer sound transfer between floors. Most guests find it minimal, but we prefer to let you know ahead of time.
• Stairs: There are stairs at each exterior entrance and between all living levels.
• Laundry: A private washer and dryer are available for guest use in the unfinished basement, and detergent is provided. Like many historic New England homes, the basement is more practical than polished, with a more utilitarian feel than the main living spaces.
• Parking: Guests have access to off-street parking, with additional easy street parking available in the neighborhood. A standard exterior plug is also available near the driveway for guests traveling with a camper or RV who may need access to power while parked.
• Guest Interaction: We live on-site in the adjoining unit with our family and our two dogs. While the guest experience is designed to be completely private, we’re close enough to share a restaurant tip or answer a quick question whenever you need. Think of us as helpful neighbors here if you need us.
MEET YOUR HOSTS
Welcome to Portland! We’re Mary and Andrew.
Portland locals, design-build partners, and devoted collectors of things with a past. The Cornerstone grew out of that shared passion. It was our chance to bring together the vintage pieces we’ve collected over the years with the thoughtful, modern comforts that make a house feel like a home.
We designed this space with intention, trading standard finishes for materials that brought us joy, and prioritizing a layout that allows everyone in the group to be comfortable independently and together. We hand painted murals and sourced art work to provide a sense of place and connection to Maine during your stay.
When we’re off the clock, you’ll likely find us on a trail, at a local brewery, or wandering antique markets with our dogs, Ace & Koda, leading the way.
We hope you feel that this place was made with care. Whether you’re here for a big milestone or just a chill few days to yourselves, we’re so glad you chose us. Come on in!
STR Host License Number: STHR-007181-2025
