Tamsin is a gracious and responsive host with a well appointed cottage. The proximity to Portland, Brunswick, and Bath gave us ample touring options. Hiking and kayaking from the property are easy and fun. You will enjoy your stay.

We were at the Artist Cottage for a week in early September. The cottage itself is charming and decorated perfectly with original art and practical antiques. The beds were very comfortable. The location is beautiful with inspiring views of Costco Bay. Our host was friendly and thoughtful. A perfect week to relax!

The host, Tamson, was fantastic and always available. The house all the amenities and more. The location and views were super. Will definitely return.

If you are open to being in a home next door to a construction project, than this is the right spot for you. In spite of requests dating back to November of 2021 to confirm that construction would be completed by the time of our visit, there was a stone mason (with noise cancelling headphones), a tractor, painting, and wood clearning all happening during our stay. We have video footage. Tamson was accomodating in that we left early as is this was not the retreat we expected though we would have expected a full refund for the days that we were onsite with construction (which did not occur). Also note that the artist cottage is actually the "post office" for the neighbors so if your vision is to work in the space, you will be overlooking a port-a-potty and not in a private location. We were also told that there was a community event being hosted by a "neighbor" which was actually an event hosted by Tamson which resulted in a full-day event next-door, followed by an estate sale.

My wife and I (and our dog) stayed at the Artist Cottage over Christmas 2021. It was a truly excellent stay. The cottage itself is in terrific condition, extremely well kept up. Tamson has wonderful taste in art, decoration, and furniture, so it really was a pleasure to stay there. It is well appointed--the kitchen is totally stocked with everything you'd need, and the beds are very comfortable (with really high quality linens). We obviously didn't use any of the outdoor items (it was 25 degrees and snowing most of the time) but from looking around it seemed to have tons of chairs and other outdoor furniture that would be great in the summer (and lots of books and board games). The location is wonderful--very quiet and lovely, but only 5 minutes from the middle of Yarmouth and 10-15 minutes from downtown Portland; very convenient. Tamson was out of town during our stay, but was in communication with us as much as we needed, both before and during our stay, and was very friendly and helpful the whole time. It was a perfect experience, and we would 100% stay there again!

I have stayed at many VRBOs and this cottage stands head over heels the best! So much love and attention is poured into this cottage! The artwork is amazing, the sunsets are phenomenal and our host dropped off a box of local raspberries with key lime vintage locally made yogurt! What a treat! One of the best vacations our family too because there is so much to do on day trips ! Be sure to do the Portland Schooner which sails for 2 hours in Casco Bay!!

The house, and the views were amazing! We loved being on Cousin’s Island, a short drive from Yarmouth. The direct views of Casco Bay, including the sunset and fall foliage were incredible. The owner, was a delight: friendly, and accommodating!

My daughters and I stayed at the artist cottage for two weeks and we will remember this incredible property and vacation for years to come. The house and location was great for us because we have family local to Maine. They visited the cottage and enjoyed the unbelievable waterfront and amenities. We had many dinners and bonfires outside on the back patio and several post-dinner swims with the most incredible sunsets as our backdrop. Tamson let our family member borrow one of her moorings and anchor his 42’ sailboat out there overnight - it was unbelievably generous and a fun experience for our family. The house comes well equipped, for example….a Hobie kayak, paddleboard, and even a life jacket that fit my 3 year old niece! To top off our Maine experience, Tamson connected us with a lobsterman who dropped off lobsters freshly caught and shared a bit of his lobster knowledge with us. During our stay, there was construction going on next door but it wasn’t too noisy and didn’t bother us because we were typically out adventuring during the days. The basement bedroom and laundry room had a mildew scent - we left the bedroom windows open, ran a dehumidifier and had a fan which helped with any smell. Overall, this property was a 10/10 and hosted such incredible memories for our family. We will be back.

Our family of three loved our stay at this lovely retreat. Surrounded by local art in every room and by beautiful grounds and Casco Bay outside, we enjoyed just hanging out in the house and on the dock and at the awesome sitting area above the water's edge. Also loved being so close to Portland and to tons of hiking trails and oceanfront parks. It was hard to leave!

My husband and I just had a spectacular vacation at the quaint and beautiful artist's cottage! The artwork in the home is amazing. The views are spectacular and we loved sitting in the Adirondack chairs by the shore, or enjoying the water by the dock. Lots of boats and families of ducks to watch. Yes there is a house being built next door but it did not take away from the beauty of the property. We thought the workers/noise were not obtrusive and we were able to relax and enjoy our vacation. Tamson was a gracious and friendly host who we loved getting to know. She had so many wonderful suggestions on activities to do as well as great places to eat ( we are already missing the lobster rolls and blueberry pancakes from places Tamson recommended)! We spent two weeks here and had two sets of friends stay with us at different times. The house is set up perfectly for two couples-- with each of us having our own space ( living room, bedroom and bathroom on different floors) for privacy. Our friends loved the home too and its proximity to "everything Maine"! We look forward to visiting again! Thank you Tamson for your guidance and being a part of a wonderful and memorable vacation!

We planned a monthlong stay at this property to relax and reunite with family we had not seen from across the country in almost 2 years due to Covid. Tamson lives next door on ode side of the house and is constructing a new home directly on the other side of the home we rented. This was shocking to us. The construction began each morning at 7:30am and Tamson stated she could not change the schedule nor would she cease the construction during our month long stay. My family and I were shocked at the constant level of noise and interruptions. Related to our inability to escape the construction noise, Tamson advertises that her property has air conditioning, however it does not. It is a three story home and has one mobile air conditioning unit in one of the bedrooms. This meant that while the construction noise was at its worst (explosives blowing up the ground, trucks backing up, backhoes, diggers, cement pouring, etc) we could not sit outside and enjoy nature or the water, nor could we even hide and stay inside the house and close the windows to have peace and quiet because it was simply too hot. Tamson apologized profusely and kindly offered us gifts, but refused to discount our rental, until she changed her mind and agreed to give me a small but fair discount off the rental price. I was very grateful and thankful. Two days before we were leaving to head home, Tamson dropped off more flowers, another apology and another (unsolicited) check for another small deduction off the rental. I gratefully accepted the check, and her apology and told her there were no hard feelings and that was that. As I returned home, I learned that Tamson charged my credit card the max amount for damages (she has not provided any proof, photos, etc) and she stopped payment on the second check she offered me. I understand Covid has affected everyone everywhere, but there is no way that this house should be on the rental market with this kind of construction taking place inches from the house. I am shocked and disappointed by this owner’s actions and felt it was necessary to share my family’s experience with anyone considering renting this property soon.

We really enjoyed our stay! The location is fantastic — gorgeous views of Casco Bay, and close to the LittleJohn nature preserve, downtown Yarmouth, and Portland. Tamson was very attentive and helpful. We would definitely stay here again!

We had an amazing time here. As the many other reviews share, this place does not disappoint!!!

Beautiful site. Incredibly well equipped house. Tamson a great host and area resource. Despite weather that was raw and cloudy, we were able to bicycle daily. Come summer, the dock, kayak and ocean itself should be a real treat. Recommend the farmer's market (small but high quality) and lobsters from Day's. We bought them already steamed and they were perfect.

This charming cottage was way more than we expected it to be! It was serene, beautifully decorated and incredibly clean. After a year of mostly being at our own home (Covid be gone!), this was the perfect getaway for our family's April vacation. We filled our days with bike rides on the amazing trails of Cousin's Island and nearby Little John as well as lots of walks to the beach just down the way, a few field trips on some days, and then a race back to the cottage each night so as not to miss the amazing sunsets from the perfect outdoor seating area. Tamson made us feel right at home and was an absolute pleasure to have as a host. It was a real treat to bring our dogs with us and they had a blast getting to know her dogs too! She really welcomed us and made sure we got to know all the amazing history of this Inventor's cottage. We especially enjoyed learning how the adorable artist shack came to have it's Pollack-inspired floor which brings so much character and creativity to a space that we could read or create in for hours! PS - the rich character that fills this cottage doesn't stop at the furnishing and walls -- the beds were SO comfortable and we still talk about needing to buy the same sheets for our beds at home! We thought that was a really nice bonus to what can sometimes be a disappointment in a rental. Such taste, Tamson! Thank you for sharing your amazing property with us.

This charming cottage was way more than we expected it to be! It was serene, beautifully decorated and incredibly clean. After a year of mostly being at our own home (Covid be gone!), this was the perfect getaway for our family's April vacation. We filled our days with bike rides on the amazing trails of Cousin's Island and nearby Little John as well as lots of walks to the beach just down the way, a few field trips on some days, and then a race back to the cottage each night so as not to miss the amazing sunsets from the perfect outdoor seating area.Tamson made us feel right at home and was an absolute pleasure to have as a host. It was a real treat to bring our dogs with us and they had a blast getting to know her dogs too! She really welcomed us and made sure we got to know all the amazing history of this Inventor's cottage. We especially enjoyed learning how the adorable artist shack came to have it's Pollack-inspired floor which brings so much character and creativity to a space that we could read or create in for hours!PS - the rich character that fills this cottage doesn't stop at the furnishing and walls -- the beds were SO comfortable and we still talk about needing to buy the same sheets for our beds at home! We thought that was a really nice bonus to what can sometimes be a disappointment in a rental. Such taste, Tamson! Thank you for sharing your amazing property with us.

Everything was great

Tamson was the right amount of available/responsive and not at all intrusive. We had a wonderful quiet getaway in her charming ocean (casco bay) front property. I think you can see the ocean from every room, really relaxing and wonderful. The kitchen was one of the best equipped of rentals I've stayed at (I'm picky and am known to bring my own knives/peelers). The space was larger than it looked in pictures. We will be back!

Great location - easy walks around the island - easy to get to town.Scenic and peaceful

Great location - easy walks around the island - easy to get to town. Scenic and peaceful

What an incredible place! The gorgeous views from The Artist’s Cottage are only one part of what makes it an ideal Maine getaway. We spent a month here in January and found every aspect homey and perfect. Decorated with a beautiful collection of paintings and thoughtful, stylish details, the cottage itself is inspirational and comfortable. We had everything we needed in the kitchen, the bedroom was a quiet respite, and we used each room to sip coffee, watch the sunsets, work (as we needed to), or read. The fireplaces ensured cozy winter mornings as the snow fell and warmed us after long walks on the island to Littlejohn Preserve. Tamson was a wonderful and gracious host, and we adored getting to know her and her pups. She ensured we had quick answers to questions and made sure we had everything we needed. Yarmouth is lucky to have Tam’s foundation and this marvelous cottage to bring artists to the area. It is so special and unique, and it’s a place that will live in our hearts.

What an incredible place! The gorgeous views from The Artist’s Cottage are only one part of what makes it an ideal Maine getaway. We spent a month here in January and found every aspect homey and perfect. Decorated with a beautiful collection of paintings and thoughtful, stylish details, the cottage itself is inspirational and comfortable. We had everything we needed in the kitchen, the bedroom was a quiet respite, and we used each room to sip coffee, watch the sunsets, work (as we needed to), or read. The fireplaces ensured cozy winter mornings as the snow fell and warmed us after long walks on the island to Littlejohn Preserve.Tamson was a wonderful and gracious host, and we adored getting to know her and her pups. She ensured we had quick answers to questions and made sure we had everything we needed. Yarmouth is lucky to have Tam’s foundation and this marvelous cottage to bring artists to the area. It is so special and unique, and it’s a place that will live in our hearts.

Attention to detail amazing! Beautiful property with wonderful water views. Most importantly, Tamson the property owner made sure we were completely satisfied. We enjoyed our time with Tamson...I'm thinking....life long friends! Exceptional year with Covid...we felt very safe.Tony & Birgit Keefer

Attention to detail amazing! Beautiful property with wonderful water views. Most importantly, Tamson the property owner made sure we were completely satisfied. We enjoyed our time with Tamson...I'm thinking....life long friends! Exceptional year with Covid...we felt very safe. Tony & Birgit Keefer

Beautiful sunsets from the dock - great house for friends or two families - 3 great bedrooms. Tamson is friendly and helpful with lots of good tips around the area. Great location as well - near town but feel miles away. Would definitely come again

We had an unforgettable stay at the charming Artist Cottage watching gorgeous sunsets from the Adirondack chairs. The owner was incredibly gracious and we’re very grateful to have spent two weeks at her very special place in Maine.

This peaceful property, situated on an easily accessible island between Portland and Freeport, is the perfect place to kick back and relax. The property has a number of unique features due to its history and its owner's careful decoration that give it character and make it fun to explore. The owner, who lives next door, is delightful and was highly responsive to some early season start-up issues. She was also a great source of information on things to do in the area.

Our family spent a week at this Cottage on Cousin’s Island in August 2020. We were looking for a location right on the water in the Casco Bay Area and this property did not disappoint. We swam, used the kayak that is offered with the property and even had a fishing charter pick up and drop off right at the dock(timed with mid to high tide :)). The house was fully stocked with towels, sheets, and kitchen ware. Even though the house does not have air conditioning, there are plenty of fans and we were comfortable even during one of the hottest weeks of the summer. The owner, Tamson, was lovely and helpful when we needed anything, but was totally respectful of our space and privacy. We spent days mountain biking all around the area, shopping(with masks) in Freeport and a couple of perfect lazy days lounging on the dock. We would rent this house again in a heartbeat.

We had a fantastic week at the artist cottage. It was the perfect spot to escape and relax. Tamson was a great host, greeting us with fresh flowers from her garden and always accessible when needed. The views and location can not be beat. My one suggestion for anyone staying is to bring some extra fans if you are staying during a hot week - the house could get quite stuffy during the day. We would definitely stay here again.

We enjoyed a lovely stay at this artists retreat. A charming home filled with original Maine artwork with expansive views of Casco Bay. The cottage is centrally located on Cousins Island. We enjoyed our walks and bike rides to the ferry dock and nearby Little Johns Island. The owner was so lovely and welcoming. We all (adults and teens) found our favorite outdoor spots to relax and enjoy the water - the floating deep water dock on the bay, lower deck with Adirondack chairs to watch the sunsets, and upper patio with comfortable swinging couch under the shade trees. Our week was one of rest and relaxation thanks to the owner’s kindness and the home’s location on the water.

My goal was to find a location, secluded, in the middle of the woods with fall colors and on the water. The bonus for our family was meeting Tamson, the owner of the cottage. What a gem. She's done a wonderful job with the cottage. Very clean, added some great amentities with the fireplaces and beautiful paintings. Found our favorite restaurant in Yarmouth, Royal River Grill. On par with the best food we had in downtown Portland, but the decor and food were second to none. Loved the quaintness of the town. The only way the lobster could have been fresher was having it delivered to the dock, which I hear that happens every now and then. Perfect location to Freeport for shopping and Wolfe's Neck Trail for hiking. Would highly recommend for couples and family.

This property was beautiful! We loved the location and all the sun sets! I loved the furnishings and all the artwork! Tamson was very gracious and accommodating to us! We had a great time!