One home welcomed a large extended family for Christmas; the other allowed John Travolta to park an aircraft close to his front door. The Maine and Florida residences he shared with Kelly Preston reflected two important parts of their lives: family gatherings and his lifelong enthusiasm for flying. Their Maine retreat, purchased in 1991 shortly after their marriage, became a place where relatives could spend holidays together. With their first child, Jett, on the way, the couple set about making the historic house comfortable for their growing family.
The oceanfront estate on Islesboro offered ample room for those celebrations. Built in 1903, the approximately 10,830-square-foot house occupied a 48-acre property and included 20 bedrooms. Travolta and Preston renovated its initially dark interiors, replacing furnishings and updating spaces to create a more welcoming atmosphere. The upper floor became a particularly imaginative retreat for children, with themed bedrooms and areas for learning and playing. When the property was listed for $5 million in February 2021, its size, waterfront setting, and distinctive interiors attracted widespread attention. That figure was the asking price at the time, rather than a confirmed sale price or current valuation.
Preston helped shape the Maine home’s colorful character, working with Travolta and designer Christopher B. Boshears on interiors inspired by English country houses. Patterned fabrics, antiques, and comfortable furnishings gave its large rooms a personal atmosphere. Photographs published in Architectural Digest showed a substantial vacation home arranged around extended family gatherings. Its appeal lay partly in the contrast between its grand proportions and the everyday activities it accommodated: shared meals, children playing, and relatives spending time together under one roof.