Text by Bethany Adams
For Marnie Oursler, owner of Marnie Custom Homes, listening to her clients’ needs is a vital part of creating fresh and functional getaways on the East Coast. “I design and build these homes to make living, working, and vacationing in Delaware carefree and comfortable,” she says. “While each home I build reflects life at the beach in a variety of ways, the main goal is to always fulfill the homeowner’s wants and needs—especially how they want their homes to fit their lifestyle and embrace their surroundings.”
For the owners of this Bethany Beach, Delaware, vacation cottage, settling into their new space located on a corner canal lot meant ensuring there were plenty of spots for gathering and enjoying the locale. “The house was designed specifically for this setting,” says Marnie, who incorporates as many windows and doors as possible into her projects, “in order to connect to the outside setting.”
The home’s surroundings are reflected in the locally sourced materials and colors Marnie used throughout the design as well, from natural fiber rugs and bleached wood to shades of blue and stretches of creamy whites. “Being on a corner canal was an integral part of the design,” she says. “We also wanted to take advantage of the southern exposure and sunsets. The house was designed specifically for this setting.”
Expansive windows in the kitchen welcome an abundance of sunlight, which bounces off the white cabinets and subway tile to create a serene glow that’s fitting for the location. “We incorporated a lot of natural light into [the kitchen] with really pretty views overlooking the canal,” Marnie says. “A white kitchen is always a popular choice at the beach; however, I do like to warm it up to create a cozier feel.”
To do that, she added wood-toned open shelves and an island in Santorini Blue, as well as considering the layout of the space. “When designing, I like to think of the flow of entertaining, so we moved the bar from the kitchen to the great room, which opens the flow so guests are not crowding the chef,” she says. There’s still plenty of room to hang out during meal prep, however, as the island accommodates six.
While the dining area offers meals with a view and the living areas facilitate gatherings that last well into the evening, the design of the home is just as enthusiastic when it comes to encouraging relaxation.
When it’s time to take a break from entertaining, the homeowners retreat to a primary suite with a soaring ceiling and plenty of cozy details. “I wanted to give the room volume with a cathedral ceiling but added exposed beams for a dramatic effect,” Marnie says. Balancing the grand atmosphere, a wall of shiplap, powder blue paint, and a rich wood tone on the floors ground the space and encourage relaxation.
“The connecting bathroom features a zero-threshold shower [and] separate vanity with side lighting,” says Marnie, who notes a favorite technique she used in the space. “I do like to mix up tile patterns—especially in the shower—which we did here, as it adds interest and dimension to the space.”
The homeowners’ favorite spot to spend their time, however, is the outdoor living space connected to the indoor bar. With a pass-through window accommodating extra seating and a fire pit right on the water, it’s ideal for enjoying the outdoors in both summer and winter. “This is an area where the homeowners’ children and grandchildren will spend a lot of time, in addition to the owners’ entertaining,” Marnie says. Topping off a home designed to welcome loved ones, it’s a sweet spot for ending memory-filled days on the coast.
