Easy Elegance

Written by Kristen Hampshire
Photography by Keyanna Bowen
Exterior Residence Photography by Dana Hoff

Layered neutrals, thoughtful millwork and sophisticated details shape this coastal family home, designed to last through the ages.

Family, rhythm, rest and connection shaped the vision for this Ocean Way retreat, designed for a couple with grown children who sought a space where they could all breathe—and just be. They enlisted Jess Weeth’s interior design studio, Weeth Home, complemented by accoutrements from Jess’s storefront studio at 419 Rehoboth Avenue: curated furnishings, décor, textiles and finishes, bundled for seamless selection. 

The family wanted a retreat that felt serene yet familiar to their Baltimore home base—refined but approachable and decidedly inspired by sand, salt and sea, without the kitsch.

“They’re hardworking, busy people who wanted a place that felt like a true getaway, somewhere their kids would feel comfortable and where everyone could come together,” says Jess, principal designer, who partnered with Marnie Custom Homes for design/build services. “It’s not just a second home; it’s a place for connection.”

Jess translated the couple’s wish list into a timeless, light-filled escape that balances sophistication and ease, with refined details achieved through shape (stripes), materials (marble) and specialty millwork throughout.
Quiet Craftsmanship
The homeowners’ traditional sensibilities served as a foundation for the design. “They have very classic taste,” says Jess. “We wanted to honor that but give it a slightly coastal spin—a place with a soft, relaxed feel.”

The palette reflects this approach.

Rather than crisp whites, Jess opted for warm, creamy tones such as Swiss Coffee and White Dove. “White is the hardest color to choose,” she relates. “We wanted one that felt cozy and inviting, not stark.”

Layered textures—white oak floors with a sandy finish, woven and grasscloth wallpapers, and accents in soft blues and sea-glass hues—lend harmonious dimension. There are no competing angles. There are, however, clever solutions for leveraging some “funky rooflines” required by building code. For example, a pitched ceiling in shiplap and beam in the primary bath crowns the freestanding tub and feels intentional. 

Throughout the home, subtle details unfold: fluid marble trim that frames the primary bath’s windows, powder blue and white candy-stripe wall covering in a secondary bath with juxtaposing braided detail along the mirror’s rim.

Overall, Jess says, “It’s less about one big statement and more about quiet craftsmanship. The beauty comes through in the millwork, the marble trim, and the way light moves through each room.”

Living Room

The house’s palette opts for warm, creamy tones instead of stark whites. This creates a softer, more inviting space overall.

Bathroom

Classic Character
Across the board, each bedroom and bathroom combo has its own character, shaped by tone and texture. Blues create a consistent and gentle coastal ripple effect that intentionally steers off course in treatments such as the bunkroom’s wallcovering by Phillip Jeffries, which incorporates a rust rope-like pattern, inviting a grown-up vibe into a versatile space that suits guests of all ages.

“We wanted it to feel fun but not juvenile,” Jess says. “It’s a room for everyone, with blues and rust tones that reflect the dunes—handsome and a little unexpected.”

Powder rooms offer opportunities to step outside the theme, including one with vertical V-groove walls coated in a foggy sage hue—“a subtler choice,” Jess says. A plaster chandelier adds a brand of retro formality, and the bistro curtain ushers in light while offering privacy. In another bathroom, the blue-and-white striped wallpaper and marble vanity create a fresh yet timeless look.

“Every space had to feel cohesive but have its own mood,” Jess relates.

The result is a home that feels both grounded and graceful—coastal without cliché, elegant without formality. “They wanted a space that felt like them,” Jess says. “It’s not a complete departure from their style in Baltimore, just a coastal version: calm, comfortable and meant to be lived in.” CS