From fireplaces to swimming pools and beyond, experience the finest of outdoor living on the Eastern Shore from the pages of Coastal Style
Rehoboth Beach, DE
Photography by Krista Valliant
A Delaware dream home is exactly what Andrew Staton and Patrick Saparito envisioned when they hatched the plans for Blue Gables, a Dutch Colonial treasure situated at the intersection of four canals within the Rehoboth Beach Yacht Club. The corner property has more than 270 feet of waterfront—and every room has a stunning view. One of only four in the club with such a panoramic vista, they enlisted McGregor Custom Homes to accomplish the extensive renovation they desired. In a word, the design is intentional. Every space has an express purpose and was outfitted to suit the owners’ lifestyle and love of water, the outdoors and entertaining. “I obsessed over every detail in the house,” Staton laughs, relating how a photo of him in the granite house with endless selections illustrates how much thought they put into every material, finish and decorating touch.
Rock Hall, MD
Photography by Stephen Cherry
What began as the topic of casual conversation quickly evolved into the breathtaking backyard retreat of Rick and Karen Kron in Rock Hall, MD. The couple, who had purchased this property on the banks of the Chesapeake Bay in late 2017, were entertaining close family and friends one evening the following spring when someone remarked, “Wouldn’t it be cool to build a pool and a pool house here?” Rick began to conceptualize that very night, envisioning how he could transform its expansive grassy yard into something truly special. It didn’t take long for the recently retired owner of a general-contracting firm in Philadelphia to put his talents and connections to work. The project list of must-haves was relatively small: They included an in-ground pool, outdoor kitchen and a pool house, but Rick and Karen were adamant that each “must have” an unobstructed view of the Bay from every angle possible.
Salisbury, MD
Photography by Svetlana Leahy
Strategically nestled near the banks of the Wicomico River, a Salisbury family of five discovered the ideal property to build its forever home. In doing so, its patriarch and matriarch already knew who they’d partner with to construct it. Live Oak Home Builders is the vision of founder Justin White, a second-generation builder born and raised on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The 4,700 sq. ft. home features four spacious bedrooms and five bathrooms. The residence includes a TV/gaming/movie room for the kids, a convenient home-office and a sunroom that offers picturesque views of the river. Outside, the family went next level from an entertaining and enjoyment level through an area that includes an in-ground pool, custom, handcrafted bar perfect for watching sports and ultimate fun for the kids and their friends.
Selbyville, DE
Photography by Grant L. Gursky
Chris and Tami Collins work extremely hard. The owners of Brasure’s Pest Control, along with their son, Caleb, had shared ideas about transforming their backyard into an outdoor retreat. They interviewed a few contractors, but none connected with the family. That changed when they met Wes Novelli, the owner of Hardscapes, Inc. “Once we met Wes, we knew instantly who we were going to go with,” Tami said. “Everything just clicked, and we feed off each other’s many ideas.” The foundation of Wes’ design was an expansive 3,000-square-foot footprint of Marmiro travertine in Terra. The beautiful stone provides a classic aesthetic that Wes said will never go out of style. The fireplace, which is anchored by wood boxes on each side, also served as the point from which the result of the project was built. Wes next designed a spectacular swimming pool that offers the Collins family excitement, refreshment and rejuvenation through its many amenities, such as zero-entry accessibility, a sun shelf and an elevated hot tub with a spillway water feature—one of three waterfall features of the pool built by Trond’s Pool Construction.
Ocean Pines, MD
Photography by Krista Valliant
A landing place for family and homestead the children could return to was the primary goal for Bob and Ashley Frankis when they embarked on a waterfront architectural endeavor in Ocean Pines. The family had spent the last two decades in Rehoboth and had a mind to design a place where they could slow down from busy career life, entertain often and take to the water. They hired Mike Poole of Poole Contracting & Consulting to execute the plan Bob designed in partnership with Towson-based Architectural Design Works’ Paul Thompson. Views of the Ocean City skyline drew Frankis to the property, and every aspect of the home design zeroed in on the property’s vantage point. Expansive glass sliders lead to a generous outdoor entertainment space—a venue within the home, with a bar and dining area. The al fresco kitchen and upper deck leads into other entertainment spaces: a fire pit, hot tub, pool with sundeck with built-in chaise lounges, and outdoor shower.
Fenwick Island, DE
Photography by Krista Valliant
At first, the vision was to find a beach house to spend vacations and entertain family and friends. “I wanted to have a boat, and Sophia wanted to be near the beach,” says Nuvan Seneviratne. So, the couple began searching in South Bethany, where they could find the best of both worlds: canals with boat access and proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. They stumbled on a property on Fenwick Island—and were immediately hooked on its “corner lot” views. It sits bayfront to the west and canal-side to the east. “It feels ‘waterfront’ all the way around,” says Christopher “Chris” Pattey, Associate AIA at Becker Morgan Group, whose oastal designs also caught the Seneviratnes’ eyes. They enlisted in Chris to design the home and Miken Builders for construction. “Almost every car that drives by slows down, and it’s definitely because of the character and features Chris included on the front and back of the house that make it stand out.”
South Bethany, DE
Photography by Krista Valliant
Longtime summer residents of Delmarva fell in love with a waterfront lot in South Bethany Beach. The property delivered jaw-dropping views of the Assawoman Bay, and because it was also just a quick walk to the ocean, the couple felt that it was a “best-of-both worlds” location. They enlisted the help of Bruce Mears Designer-Builder to bring their vision to fruition. The outdoor-living area is truly spectacular, with a spacious pool overlooking the Assawoman Bay. The second-floor overhang provides shaded options for those looking to sprawl out on the first-floor lounge chairs. The third floor offers a patio with glass railings, as well as both lounge and dining spaces. The top-floor sundeck provides direct sunlight access and a scenic view of the bay and the Ocean City skyline. If you face the opposite direction, you can even spy the Atlantic Ocean. “Where the lot is angled on the east side of the pool area, we constructed special walls from the pool level to the top floor. This allows the homeowners to have ultimate privacy. It’s like their own little resort,” shared Bruce.
Lewes, DE
Photography by Krista Valliant
Riviera Drive in Lewes is a significant departure from the modern Colorado mountain home Mark Single and Jeff Groton built a number of years ago. Yet the sprawling natural wetlands environment along a Rehoboth Bay tributary inspired a two-year project resulting in a marshy retreat that reflects their preference for minimalist design and dramatic artwork. They enlisted Dion Lamb of CRx Construction and architect Jeffrey P. Manley at Martin Manley Architects to breathe life into their concept. Ever mindful of maintaining unobstructed views, the homeowners passed on typical railings around the pool, opting instead for a planting shelf that handles the necessary zoning requirements beautifully. Ipe decking withstands the elements along with a screened-in porch, advised by Dion as protection from the insect-prone tidal marsh environment. The porch spans the entire length of the living room. Finally, overhangs finished in mahogany double as an architectural feature while providing cover from the sun and creating an outdoor room feel.
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