A years-long design journey and artisan, hands-on craftsmanship define a forever family home that goes against the tide while reverent to coastal style
Written by Kristen Hampshire
Photography by Krista Valliant
A landing place for family and a homestead for the children to 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.
But Bob Frankis wasn’t interested in a cookie-cutter — nor the usual coastal, transitional color palette awash with grays and blues. While clean and relevant, he was looking for something more contemporary and handcrafted. He enlisted in Mike Poole of Poole Contracting & Consulting to execute on a plan he designed in partnership with Towson-based Architectural Design Works’ Paul Thompson.
Ultimately, Frankis says, “I wanted to see through the home to the pool and water beyond it,” passing on typical floor plans that include a staircase in the foyer.
Detail and hands-on engineering define this bayfront home, such as the wave-like panelized drywall treatment that offers a spa focal point in the master bath. And Frankis emphasized craftsmanship, Poole’s specialty. The f looring is hardwood. Siding is sturdy Hardie board and batten with cedar. The exterior boasts solid facia and soffits — a must for Frankis.
No cutting corners. “When you walk into the home, it feels like a lot of effort was put into it, and we are ecstatic about the quality,” Frankis says. “The hundreds, probably thousands, of hours spent picking out every finish, every light fixture, every accent just truly paid off. And with Mike Poole and his team, there wasn’t a thing I asked for that they couldn’t do.”
TURNING HEADS
The Frankis’ Ocean Pines home offers interest and inspiration in every direction, including from its open concept kitchen-family room area that extends seamlessly to inviting outdoor spaces.
A Tall Order.
Frankis wanted headroom but to reserve two-story floor-to-ceiling appeal for the foyer only. So, he planned for 10-foot ceilings on the first floor. That introduced a bit of a conundrum, until Poole engineered a solution. “I didn’t like the spacing between the first and second floor windows on the exterior — and we didn’t want points on the roof, so to do that, we had to create a tight roof to accommodate with local code,” Frankis explains.
Rather than standard floor joists that usually have about a 1-foot cavity for mechanicals or insulation, Poole sourced a 2-foot deep floor truss system that created a taller façade, the look Frankis desired, while sticking to the community’s construction requirements.
“Another unique part of this home is the retaining wall and elevated pool and pool deck,” Poole says, noting that thoughtful engineering was required to achieve a step down from the home to the deck so the result was seamless, functionally and aesthetically. It called for on-site consultation with masonry trades and the pool designer, along with reeling in an engineer to detail plans.
But it’s all worth it. “This is a significant feature of this house,” Poole says.
The outdoor living space consumes the entire back of the waterfront lot, with unobstructed views thanks to glass railing. Frankis adds, “When you’re relaxing out there, you feel like the entire area is part of the open water.”
Cultivating Taste.
Frankis opted for a peninsula-style island in the kitchen that incorporates a slide-out microwave and alcove for added storage. The design promotes conversation and gathering — much like the feel of sitting at a circular table where you can see guests vs. a long, rectangular arrangement that a straight island delivers. Brushed gold hardware adds an air of sophistication and warmth to the clean-lined space. Larger-format gray glass subway tiles offer sheen without glitz.
The adjacent café dining area was treated with a coffered ceiling designed to outfit the light fixture made of black metalwork and vintage-style Edison bulbs, which Frankis sourced. This treatment repeats in the great room. Poole says, “We pride ourselves on interior finishes and our trim carpentry — coffered ceilings, custom shelves in the great room were made out of the hardwood f looring, built in cabinets for the office and the pantry, and all are custom-made for the space to make the house special.”
What’s In is Out.
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.
Aligned Lines.
A nod to Craftsman style, the metal railing affixed to banisters that climb two stories was recreated to mimic a design Frankis discovered. The box molds and straight balusters lend a linear look. It complements light fixtures throughout the home, especially the pendant fixture with a series of strategically placed rectangular lamps that dip at different levels into the stairwell.
BAY VISTA
With views resembling those of a cruise ship, this view, in particular, drew Bob and Ashley Frankis to the property — looking east towards the Route 90 Bridge and Ocean City skyline.
Ultimate Retreat.
“It’s like being in a cruise ship because you don’t see land,” Poole says of views from the master suite with custom glass-paneled railing beyond the 12-foot slider that is “almost invisible.” The adjoining spa bathroom is a focal point that deserves recognition. It includes a two-way walk-in shower with his-and-hers in mind, from the rain showerheads to dual spray heads to the built-in nook shelving.
Of note is a freestanding 3D feature wall that guards the shower zone and serves as a backdrop for a modern, rectangular tub.
Frankis says, “Every morning we wake up to the sunrise over the water and feel the water breeze throughout the home. It was designed for that — and for our style of living.” CS