4 min readWhen the owners of this charming home in the beach town of Nags Head, North Carolina, decided to raze their mishmash cottage and start fresh, they had one guiding directive: no signs of a new build. “They wanted the house to look like it had always been here,” Arianna Pannoni of the Baltimore-based firm Winsome Interior Design says of the couple, who have vacationed in the tight-knit community for generations. They wanted their friends and family to feel relaxed—to not think twice about coming in sandy from the beach and flopping on the sofa like they always had, design partner Kasey Bedford adds.
To meet that brief, the designers leaned into period-inspired millwork, high-performance textiles, and finishes expressly selected for their aging potential while also tweaking the layout to reflect the homeowners’ real needs. An underutilized closet off the kitchen was remade into a coffee bar and designed to look like an “original” built-in. The sunshine-flooded dining nook—eked out of square footage borrowed from the wraparound deck—provides comfortable seating for 12, a number that isn’t unheard of at the height of summer.
In the kitchen—a collaboration between Winsome and Tanya Smith-Shiflett of Unique Kitchens & Baths—two-tone cabinetry à la Julia Child lends a subtle vintage vibe. There is a mix of easy-access open shelving and clutter-containing cupboards. The unlacquered brass hardware and fittings were chosen to improve with age.
More patina comes through the woodwork. Bedford admits the blue floors took some persuading. “Historically, painted wood floors have been popular in coastal homes because they wear well with sand and water and can be touched up easily,” she says. The client got on board, and the color flows underfoot in most of the 2,030-square-foot space. V-groove paneling used throughout, including in the primary bath and powder room, adds to the sense of time gone by.
The designers also nixed closets in the four bedrooms, replacing them with clever storage and case goods. “When you’re here, you’re in a bathing suit and shorts,” Pannoni says. “You really just need a place to stow your suitcase.”
HALLWAY
Subtle nautical touches give the home a sense of place.
Even the smallest moments got a special touch, like this hallway, which features a piece from artist Mary Maguire. “The hallway exudes a timeless maritime charm, evoking a sense of nostalgia and warmth,” says Pannoni.
LIVING ROOM
Ample seating in a variety of shapes and styles feels collected over time.
In the living room, the furniture layout is oriented to make the most of the coastal view. Instead of matching pieces, the design team chose items that leaned into a generational, collected-over-time feel. “Each piece complements one another yet feels as if it could have been lovingly passed down over decades,” says Bedford. “We mixed patterns, colors, and furniture styles to create an eclectic space that draws you in and invites you to relax.”
LIVING ROOM
Two-toned cabinetry echoes the colors of the sand.
Working with Unique Kitchens & Baths, the design team landed on unique two-tone cabinets that add a touch of dimension and visual interest. A furniture-like island offers a cozy spot for morning coffee or post-beach snacks. “As the main gathering space in the kitchen, we knew the island had to feel welcoming,” says Pannoni. “By incorporating softly curved corners, shelving at both ends, and just enough room for a few stools, we achieved the relaxed and convivial atmosphere we envisioned.”
Newport Brasstaps provide hot and cold filtered water at the coffee bar. The drawers conceal a refrigerator and a freezer.
DINING NOOK
A U-shaped bench offers plenty of room for family and guests.
A last-minute addition to the plans, the dining nook is now one of the most charming spots in the house. “This space has one of the best views in the house, so we wanted to ensure it was designed to maximize time spent here,” says Bedford. “The goal was to create a dining area that exuded comfort and coziness, without any formality.”
POWDER ROOM
Vintage-inspired lanterns nod to old shipyards.
To help the powder room feel in line with the rest of the home, the design team chose items that would patina beautifully over time, finishing the space with planked walls.
POWDER ROOM
A canopy bed acts as a welcoming reprieve from a day in the sun.
Bedford and Pannoni chose Lake August and Schumacher fabrics for the headboard and canopy. “The artful blend of patterns creates an ambiance steeped in vintage charm,” adds Bedford.
BUNK ROOM
Side-by-side twin beds are ideal for both kids and adults.
In the bunk room, built-in beds nod to sailors’ quarters—only in a refined, playful way. “Designed with children in mind, its playful allure evokes a sense of whimsy and delight, providing our client’s youngest family members with a haven for rest and play,” adds Pannoni.
GUEST ROOM
A vining wallpaper breaks from the home’s blue and white color palette.
In the guest room, trim paint in Farrow & Ball Yeabridge Green complements the Lake August wallpaper and headboard fabric. An L.L. Bean quilt reinforces the collected, vintage vibe.
PRIMARY BATH
A wallpapered ceiling draws the eye up.
The primary bathroom marries modern design accents with nostalgic, nautical touches, like the café curtains that depict fishing boats and cottages.
