The Next Chapter at Central Manor
Built on the site of a beloved cottage, this Bethany Beach retreat was designed with room for family, tradition and generations of memories to come.
Written by Kristen Hampshire
Photography by Dana Hoff
When Linda and Ray Lynn were searching for a getaway home in Bethany Beach, they landed on the kind of property that is increasingly rare: an oversized lot—complete with a backyard—they never expected to find so close to town, within walking distance of the beach, restaurants and the boardwalk. “The cottage was really cute, and we loved the idea of being able to walk everywhere,” Linda says.
They weren’t searching for a tear-down. Instead, after buying the property in 2016, they started making the house their own. Bathrooms and the kitchen were renovated. New white oak flooring was installed, sourced through the family’s business, Lynn Wholesale Flooring in Beltsville, Maryland.
The cottage became a comfortable coastal escape—at least for a while.
As their two sons married and the family expanded with the addition of grandchildren, the home that once felt just right started feeling a little tight. The Lynns initially explored expanding the original cottage. But after investing in plans and studying the possibilities, they arrived at a realization.
“No matter what we did, the house was still going to be a house built in the 1950s,” says Linda, pointing to the many upgrades to the infrastructure that would be required.
Rather than leave the location they loved, they chose to start fresh on familiar ground. “At that point, we decided to tear it down.”
Breaking the Mold
The property became the foundation for what would follow. Located on a lot-and-a-half in Bethany Beach, the site offered several appealing features. For one, most neighboring homes rise narrow and tall from standard-sized lots. The Lynns’ site allowed for something different.
“That was one of the biggest distinctions,” says Marnie Oursler, the builder the Lynns sought out to steer their dream home project.
Working alongside architect Doug Kuchta of Broadwater Designs and kitchen designer Tracy McCann of Serendipity Design Group, the team created a 4,350-square-foot home that embraces width, symmetry and a more traditional layout.
Unlike many coastal homes designed with inverted floor plans, the Lynns wanted the main living spaces on the first floor, just as they had enjoyed in the original cottage.
“We knew what worked for us,” Linda says. “We loved walking into the main living area. We weren’t on the water, so we didn’t feel like we needed to flip everything upside down.”
Visitors enter directly into the heart of the home, where the kitchen, dining area and family room flow together as one connected gathering space.
“It’s more traditional,” Marnie says. “You walk in with your groceries and you’re right there. That’s where everybody gathers.”
Built for Family
The desire for togetherness guided nearly every decision. The Lynns envisioned a home where children, grandchildren and guests could comfortably spread out while staying connected. The design includes five bedrooms, flexible sleeping spaces and numerous areas for gathering both indoors and out.
Linda’s favorite room is the kitchen, where family life naturally unfolds.
“It’s open to the eating area and family room,” she says. “If I’m making a meal or doing something in the kitchen, I can still interact with everyone else.”
The kitchen combines painted cabinetry and warm wood finishes with black countertops and a dramatic stone backsplash that introduces texture and natural movement. Custom wood arches frame pathways leading toward the pantry and service areas, adding warmth and architectural character.
Throughout the home, the palette remains grounded in natural materials rather than color.
“We love wood, stone and metal,” Linda says. “We wanted it to feel earthy and warm.”
Wide-plank white oak flooring serves as a defining feature, extending throughout the home and influencing many of the surrounding material selections.
“We were trying to accentuate the floors,” Linda says. “Some of the doors use similar materials, which draws your eye upward and ties everything together.”
Marnie complemented those finishes with a soft neutral palette centered around Benjamin Moore’s Classic Gray and layered earth tones. “Keeping the colors neutral and natural helps create that peaceful feeling,” she says.
Indoor-Outdoor Living
Just as important as designing the interior was creating outdoor spaces that could support the family’s lifestyle.
The roomy lot offered more flexibility than many Bethany Beach properties; still, finding a space for everything the Lynns wanted on site still required careful planning.
“The challenge was making sure all of the outdoor spaces fit comfortably together,” Marnie says. “We wanted the pool, outdoor living areas and circulation to feel natural.”
The solution began with a generous screened porch anchored by a stone fireplace and large television. From there, the home extends seamlessly to the pool, firepit and backyard beyond.
The porch builds upon a feature the Lynns loved in their original cottage, and the new version is even larger than they imagined.
“We had a screened porch in the old house, and we spent a lot of time there,” Linda says. “We knew we wanted that again.”
The outdoor space functions almost year-round, serving as everything from a quiet retreat to a gathering spot for football games and family celebrations. “It ended up being bigger and grander than we expected,” Linda adds.
Meanwhile, a rooftop deck perched above the home offers views of both the neighborhood and the ocean beyond. “You don’t really see it from the front of the house,” Marnie says. “But once you’re up there, the views are incredible.”
Honoring the Past
For all its newness, Central Manor still carries pieces of the home that came before it. During demolition, the Lynns salvaged materials from the original cottage and donated much of what could be reused. Several structural beams were carefully preserved and later incorporated into the design of the new home.
Today, those reclaimed timbers form a feature wall near the entry. “They were support beams in the original house,” Linda says. “Marnie’s crew saved them and repurposed them.”
The installation serves as a subtle reminder of the property’s history and the family’s journey from one home to the next.
While nearly everything else has changed, the spirit of the place remains remarkably familiar. The walkability. The neighborhood. The connection to town. The memories made there and the ones still waiting to unfold.
For a family that didn’t want to leave Bethany behind, the decision created something even better than they imagined: a home designed not only for today, but for new generations that will gather around the table.
“We loved the location,” Linda says. “We figured we already had the perfect spot. We said, ‘Let’s work from there.’”
BEACH & BAY COTTAGE TOUR:
This home is featured on the Beach & Bay Cottage Tour 2026, which benefits the South Coastal Library. Tour a collection of homes in-person July 22-23 ($50 per ticket, which includes the virtual tour) or virtually ($35 per ticket) from July 12-August 2. For more information, visit beachandbaycottagetour.com.
