A renovation and interior redesign of a Bethany Beach home yield stunning results.
Pendant from Sonneman and counter stools from Lexington Furniture grace the light-filled kithen.
THE PROJECT
The idyllic charm of beach homes is often accompanied by familiar scenes: the soft sound of a screen door, refreshing outdoor showers post-beach, and gatherings on the back porch shared with loved ones. For a retired couple from DC, these moments with their grown children and grandchildren inspired redesigning their cherished home in Bethany Beach, Del.
The home’s gorgeous and modern exterior.
THE TEAM
For their project, the couple enlisted the expertise of renowned designer Jamie Merida, the founder of Jamie Merida Interiors and the accessories line Bountiful Home (@jamiemerida, jamiemerida.com). Operating out of Easton, Maryland, Merida is known for his transformative interior designs across the DC region. Denise Clarke Perkins, one of the firm’s designers, known for her modern, sleek, clean and simple aesthetic, undertook the redesign of the 2,200-square-foot home, which features decks, porches, outdoor showers and storage spaces.
Natural light spills into the foyer.
THE GOALS
Perkins highlights the 1960s beach cottage’s solid structural condition but notes its outdated interior layout didn’t meet the family’s needs. “The couple wanted a larger and more modern kitchen, and we added a primary suite with a deck to the front of the house,” she says. “We also added a second-level screened porch on the rear of the house that overlooks a new plunge pool with an adjacent outdoor storage shed and two outdoor showers. The outdoor shed has a live roof, which provides a wonderful view from the second-floor screened porch.”
Regarding the interior palette, Perkins praises the home’s white backdrop, which accentuates primary colors. “The Marmoleum tiles in the entry foyer provided the hues we used as color pops throughout the house. This created perfect continuity and flow,” says Perkins.
Recognizing the importance of storage, the design team incorporated numerous built-ins, such as drawers, cabinets, cubbies and elaborate closet spaces, catering to various needs from luggage storage to children’s toys.
The dining room also boasts an office, making for smart functionality.
LIVING ROOM
Symmetry was essential in this space, says Perkins. “On the wall opposite the kitchen, we added a fireplace with a TV over it, centered on the large kitchen island. These decisions led to windows with window seats flanking the fireplace wall. From there, we created built-in storage cabinets flanking the window seats. We needed to maximize the seating in a small area, so we planned a floating sectional that defined the space,” she says.
An area rug from Langhorne (langhornecarpets.com) lines the room, which includes a cocktail table from Interlude Home (interludehome.com), lamps from Currey & Company (curreyandcompany.com) and upholstery from Wesley Hall (wesleyhall.com).
The living room features a cocktail table from Interlude Home, lamps from Currey & Company and upholstery from Wesley Hall.
DINING ROOM
“This small space has a dual purpose,” explains Perkins. “It’s adjacent to the homeowners’ office area, so we kept the artwork over the desk and open shelves bright and fun—we didn’t want it to look too [stuffy]. Beside the desk, we added drawers and cabinets to conceal the office-looking materials. The team added a dining table from Global Views (globalviews.com) and chairs from Wesley Hall.
The pimary suite’s bathroom boasts a spa aesthetic.
KITCHEN
“One of the coolest things I did in this space was the countertop on the very long island—14 feet—since the homeowners didn’t want to see any seams,” says Perkins. “I came up with the idea of adding the black quartz to the white quartz, where a seam would be. When incorporated into the design, it’s an intentional seam and virtually unseen.” Standout pieces include a pendant from Sonneman (sonneman.com) and counter stools from Lexington Furniture (lexingtonfurniture.com).
the living room offers plenty of functional space and storage.
PRIMARY SUITE
Perkins and her team simplified the color palette in the room, opting for contrasting shades of black and white. “It’s a yin-and-yang approach, with no abrupt pops of color. We also added built-in closets and a built-in vanity to maximize storage,” says Perkins, whose team included a bed from Wesley Hall, case goods from Villa & House (vandh.com) and wallpaper and drapery from Thibaut (thibautdesign.com).
The primary suite boasts a bed from Wesley Hall and case goods from Villa & House.
HOW THE HOME IS LIVING
“The family has enjoyed the space, and it’s very functional,” says Perkins. “They’ve had many large family gatherings and are making countless memories. I’m now working on the couple’s primary residence at the Ritz in Chevy Chase—an opposite approach to decorating. It keeps my job very interesting.”
HOME DETAILS
Home Type
Single-family
Location
Bethany Beach, Del.
Design
Jamie Merida Interiors
RESOURCES
Langhorne
Rug, living room
Interlude Home
Cocktail table, living room
Currey & Company
Lamps, living room
Wesley Hall
Fabric, living room; chairs, dining room; bed, primary suite
Global Views
Table, dining room
Sonneman
Lighting, Kitchen
Lexington Furniture
Counter stools, kitchen
Villa & House
Case goods, primary suite
Thibaut
Wallpaper and drapery, primary suite
Photography by: STYLISH PRODUCTIONS
