Written by Kristen Hampshire | Photography by Svetlana Leahy Photography
A family-focused vision, seamless indoor-outdoor flow and thoughtful collaboration shape this waterfront retreat
They’d owned in the area before. They knew the rhythm of the community, the waterways, the ease of weekends by the Shore. But this time, Chris and Melanie Carroll weren’t just looking for another beach house—they were thinking ahead.
“We started talking about what we really wanted long-term,” Chris says. “We wanted a home base—a place for family, for holidays, for future grandkids.”
The Carrolls purchased a waterfront lot in Bay Point Plantation near Ocean Pines and, like so many builders in recent years, began with a plan but ended up pausing. When COVID hit, the project was put on hold, giving the Carrolls time to reconsider how they truly wanted to live in the space. What emerged was a clearer vision: connection, flexibility and easy movement between indoors and out.
Working with owner and builder Justin White of Live Oak Home Builders and architect Daniele Haley, the couple reshaped the design from the ground up. “Daniele helped take what were basically boxes on paper and turn them into the right spaces,” Chris says. “And Justin was the quarterback who made it all come together.”
One-Level Living
A major shift came in how the home would function day to day. Rather than stacking key spaces on multiple floors, Daniele redesigned the layout so the kitchen, living room, primary suite and pool all sit on one elevated level.
“We wanted to live on one plane,” Melanie says. “When we’re here, we’re here to relax, to be together and to be outside as much as possible.”
Retractable glass panels in the living room—hurricane-rated and engineered to pocket fully into the wall—open the main gathering spaces to a covered, screened lanai and the waterside pool beyond. Tracks are in place to add glass in the future if desired, giving the space long-term flexibility.
“You can have the doors wide open and feel like you’re outside, or close things up and still have all that light,” Melanie says. “It works year-round.”
The result is a home designed to handle a crowd without ever feeling crowded.
“We wanted to be able to have larger gatherings and still feel comfortable,” Chris adds. “You can spread out, but you’re still connected.”
Successful Collaboration
From framing to finishes, the Carrolls credit the team’s communication and collaboration for the project’s success.
This cooperative spirit extended to specialty vendors and subcontractors, from custom cabinetry and closet builders to the window and glass team responsible for the expansive panels.
Engineering behind the scenes—including steel supports and hurricane-rated systems—ensures the home performs as robustly as it looks.
For Justin, the project stands out for its balance. “It’s a lower-profile home, but it feels expansive because of how it’s laid out and how it connects to the outdoors,” he says. “Every decision supported how they actually live.”
And now, the home is already fulfilling the role the Carrolls envisioned. They’ve hosted holidays, neighborhood gatherings and a recent baby shower as they await the arrival of their first grandchild.
Mornings bring views over Turville Creek, wildlife sightings—including bald eagles—and easy access to boating and the beach. The home is a relaxing retreat and an easy drive from Washington, D.C., making long weekends part of the family’s routine.
“This is our base,” Melanie says. “It’s where everyone can come together.”
Chris agrees. “We’ve built before,” he says. “But this is the one that really feels like it fits our life.” CS
“We wanted to live on one plane. When we’re here, we’re here to relax, to be together and to be outside as much as possible.”
