When a Maryland family chose to build their second home at the beach, they reached out to their primary home’s designer, Jennifer Hardy of Baltimore’s Inhabit Interiors, to make this new vacation oasis feel like an extension of their regular residence. They requested an overall design that was similarly light and neutral-focused, yet with an oceanside appeal.
“They wanted a coastal feel reflected without being kitschy or veering too far from the classic style and limited color palette they already love,” Hardy says. So she and her team took inspiration from “classic coastal interiors in the Hamptons and Cape Cod with clean white and lots of extensive millwork.”
To make this property feel like a true home away from home, the goal was to create bedroom spaces that invoked comfort and serenity. The master bedroom was designed to be “soft and serene with very little color but a lot of texture to keep it visually interesting,” Hardy says.
“We introduced shiplap between the beams in the tray ceiling to visually connect the adjacent hallway and loft, which are wrapped in shiplap,” she says. “The horizontal trim treatment served to add texture since the wall, trim and ceiling are all painted white.”
Simplistic touches and timeless pieces, such as the gray and white duvet covers, bright white floor-length drapes and classically arched bench, made this goal of comfort achievable.
“This space is truly a relaxing retreat from busy work weeks and packed kids’ schedules, a place to reflect and enjoy the luxurious comforts of home,” Hardy says.
The soft neutral palette and emphasis on coziness continued in the nursery room as well.
“The whitewashed oak and painted white crib and dresser were a perfect introduction to the space, keeping it sophisticated and more interesting than solid white furnishings would have been,” she says. And the nautical roped mirror, sea animal wall display and striped beach towel-like rug subtly brought in those desired ocean elements to the space.
Just like these two bedrooms, the use of lots of white and sand-colored tones with a soothing beach aesthetic is carried out beautifully throughout the rest of the home’s interior.
“This home is amazingly comfortable and feels so inviting with its overall light and bright vibe. It will be a beacon of relaxation for this busy family,” Hardy says.
