A Solid Collaboration: New Construction Beach House

We just photographed this new construction beach house, finished last summer—but we held off sharing it until the good light returned (translation: no winter shrubs or grey skies). The extra time gave us room to sort out window treatments, hang art, and layer in the finishing touches. The final photos are in, we’ve sent them off to a few media outlets, and now we wait—cue fingers crossed, and maybe a group manifest.

We’re really proud of this one. It’s the result of a solid collaboration: Owen Thomas handled the exterior—the foundation, rooflines, windows, all the puzzle pieces outside. We stepped in at the drywall and took it from there. That means space planning, interior finishes (doors, tiles, vanities, lighting, hardware—you name it), plus all the decorating. Think wallpaper, throw pillows, and that one lamp we moved four times until it finally felt right. Enjoy a few iphone photos before a full reveal.

Compact, But Clever

The main floor is compact—but clever. This lot is just a few sandy strides from the ocean, which sounds dreamy until you’re dealing with setback rules and a less-than-generous floor area ratio. Still, we made it work. The mudroom pulls double duty as a corridor to the powder room. It hides storage and houses a stacked washer and dryer—because no one wants to drag beach towels upstairs. (Upstairs has its own laundry setup, by the way.) We added louvered doors, a wall of hooks (two rows), and a white oak vanity in the powder room, all on a natural mosaic stone floor. Right next door, the media room is wrapped in navy—walls, shades, sectional. Not the biggest space, but it fits a sofa and a screen, and that’s all you really need.

Now, the sunroom. Yes, it’s my favorite room in the house. The floors continue in natural oak. The fir beams overhead run across the ceiling, while the fir bench below is custom—its corbel-style legs were a bit of a design challenge. We paired it with a custom Vermont Farm Table and black woven chairs. The best part are the eleven windows wrapping the corner, angled just right for ocean views and serious cross-breeze potential.

Corner Windows & Rattan Pendants

Upstairs, this new construction beach house really opens up. In the primary bedroom, we stole all the ceiling height the building/roof line would allow. Corner windows let in the light and we used soft grey trim on white walls, a quiet combo that lets the ocean views lead. Rattan pendants hang above; below, an aged rug, leather chairs in a warm burnt orange, and a chartreuse throw make things feel just lived-in enough. The primary bath is clean and classic. A small-scale mosaic covers the floor, and marble wraps the shower walls. Fixtures are from Newport Brass in a satin finish—not flashy, just right.

Not an Afterthought

The kids’ rooms weren’t an afterthought. One is painted a deep blue-green, with views straight to the water. The carpet and bedding are textured but subtle. Instead of drywall closets, we went with custom cabinetry—what I kept calling armoires, because… they are. Tall doors for hanging things, smaller ones on top for stashing extras. In another bedroom, there’s a cane bed and a framed surf photo that gives just enough “beach.” A soft blue wall color keeps it calm, and a deep olive throw adds just enough contrast. There’s also a simple side table and a woven rug. It’s laid-back but intentional—like the beach house version of “quiet luxury.”

Crowd Favorite: The Bunk Room

Up top is the bunk room, and it’s a crowd favorite. The floors are painted a pale blue, and the bunks are fully custom. Bottoms are queens, tops are twins, and yes—kids do call dibs. A ladder connects them, of course. Around the corner is a dry bar with open shelving, a beverage fridge, and a small railing in front of the sliding doors that lead to the roof deck. This is the only roof deck in the neighborhood, and the views are wild—Boston to Scituate, and all the July fireworks in between. The bunk bath has striped wall tile because even a kid’s bathroom can have a little flavor.

All About Balance

This new construction beach house is all about balance—smart layouts, durable materials, and interiors that feel layered, not overdone. From the first sketch to the final pillow chop, this one was a joy to design. We hope it shows.

A few final photos below are from Cross Street Farm, where we’ve sourced flowers before—most memorably dahlias for a Vermont project. This time, we picked up armfuls of peonies. Many were pre-cut and packaged in their tiny retail shop at the front barn, but the rest you can snip yourself in the fields—just grab a pair of clippers. We’ll share the full styling with all the peonies we brought home soon. Until then, enjoy a few cute moments from the farm itself.