Summer Send-Off: A Peek into Long Beach Island’s 53rd Annual Seashore Open House Tour Part II
Say it isn’t so. Another summer season is quickly closing in! Until we meet again, we hope to lift your spirits with highlights from a few beach happy homes we visited during LBI’s annual house tour this month. While all boast varied architectural features and amenities, all share a similar spirit. Beautiful, relaxed and sea-party practical, each draws inspiration from their surroundings where the boundaries between inside and out are blurred, and summer days — and sunsets — are celebrated to the max. Hang on. As Lilly Pulitzer once said, “It’s always summer somewhere.”
Photos by Dianne Ahto unless otherwise noted.
CLASSIC COASTAL IN NORTH BEACH
Multiple rooflines, copper gutters and a wrap-around porch are defining features of this classic Shingle-style home on the bay. Note the compass detail on the chimney, a feature echoed on the pavers on the driveway.
A rooftop deck offers unobstructed views of the bay, pool, pool house and dock. Sources: architect, Jay Madden Architect (www.jaymaddenarchitect.com) in Harvey Cedars; builder, J.T. Tilton Construction Inc. in Harvey Cedars; landscape, Living Landscapes LLC (www.livinglandscapes.com) in Barnegat; interior design, homeowners and Kristin Nissen/Between the Sheets LLC (www.betweenthesheetsnj.com) in Ship Bottom.
GREAT ROOM & DINING AREA
Shades of blue and green in the open-plan living area complement the base of the kitchen island, the backdrop for the color scheme. Stationary great room drapery panels feature an embroidered trellis pattern on linen “with hardware designed to let the panels simply frame the view,” designer Kristin Nissen says.
“Whenever there is a water view, I suggest that the interiors use colors that are seen outside in sea and sky,” Nissen says. Walls are painted “White Mint”and the ceiling in a pale sky blue called “Snowdrop,” both from Sherwin-Williams. (www.sherwin-williams.com) Sources: barstools, (www.palecek.com); fabric on Spindle chairs and dining room host chairs, Thibaut (www.thibautdesign.com), all these and other furnishings and accents are available through Between the Sheets LLC (www.betweenthesheetsnj.com).
Designer Kristin Nissen and builder John Tilton (adhering to the socks-only policy while indoors on tour day!) stand in the octagonal dining room with coffered ceiling. The china cabinet, from Old Biscayne Designs (www.oldbiscaynedesigns.com) was custom specified for the space in a soft sage green finish and white interior.
Rock crystals and oyster shells hang from the handmade chandelier. “Ethereal white linen-weave draperies can be drawn against the late afternoon sun or for a candle-lit dinner,” Nissen says. | Photo by Meg Fox
KITCHEN
Rattan barstools pull up to a curved island topped with granite. The base of the island is painted “Leisure Blue” by Sherwin-Williams, a color that launched the interior palette.
Kitchen design and cabinetry: Rich Woodward of Handmade Furniture in West Creek. | Photo by Meg Fox
A coral-motif chandelier — visible from the exterior when lit — makes a striking composition in the foyer.
SURF CITY CROWD PLEASER
The barrel-vault entrance of this beautifully constructed bay-front home was just a hint at the custom details and amenities within. Photo taking is not allowed on tour day, but the homeowner, who was on site, graciously allowed me to snap a few spaces before heading to our next destination.
NuCedar® shingle siding mimics wood with minimal maintenance. Sources: architect, Studio Tagland Designs LLC in Beach Haven (www.studiotagland.com); builder, Patrick Moeller of Callan & Moeller Inc. in Ship Bottom (www.callanmoeller.com); landscape, Kline Bros. Landscaping in Manahawkin; interior design, homeowner and Patrick Moeller. | Photos by Meg Fox
KITCHEN
Nautical-inspired pendants, a planked ceiling and a large navy-base island — topped with fabricated stone — are among the subtle maritime touches in this spacious kitchen. Dual refrigerators/freezers flank glass-front white Shaker-style cabinetry.
Wood-like porcelain flooring is a practical, durable choice at the beach. Glass subway backsplash tile, in a pleasing greenish/gray tone, changes with the light.
Oh, I was in heaven in this outdoor kitchen full of varied materials, details and amenities. Adjacent to the main kitchen, it has full-on views of the bay via retractable glass doors (www.nanawall.com) with Phantom screens (www.phantomscreens.com). The floors are bluestone. When summer days end, I imagine overflow entertaining during Thanksgiving and other holidays.
Floating shelves with LED lighting in this built-in bar off the kitchen/family room, a recurring theme elsewhere in the house, must look magical at night against a backdrop of blue-green geometric glass tiles.
The ancillary kitchen, with a back entrance, is ideal for catering a party, food prep or simply keeping all the behind-the-scenes work behind the scenes.
A counter-to-ceiling marble herringbone pattern makes a stunning feature wall in a first-floor powder room. (A mirror is soon to be installed.)
Loving the clean lines and classic undertones of this focal-point stone fireplace in the family room.
Extra beds are always in demand at a beach house. This bunkroom packs a punch with its red-painted entry doors, white shiplap walls and navy bead-board ceiling.
If the beach doesn’t call, this ground-level, entertainment-ready cabana is all a party needs with a restaurant-quality ice machine, refrigerator, keg dispenser, dishwasher and more. A private deeded bay beach — and pool — lies just beyond. Accordion-style windows can be closed easily in inclement weather.
Pebble flooring and driftwood-inspired wall tiles lead to a spa-like outdoor shower off the cabana. The old saying that fish and visitors stink after three days may not apply here!
We loved the boulder-style steps leading to the pool and patio, which enjoy spectacular 180-degree views of the bay. Note the fun bocce court in foreground.
LIVING EASY IN LOVELADIES
“Nantucket-inspired coastal casual elegance” was the inspiration for this family vacation retreat with rooftop decks that provide sweeping views of the ocean, bay and Barnegat Lighthouse.
The exterior of the 3,575-square-foot home features cultured stone and maintenance-free CertainTeed® Cedar Impressions siding (www.certainteed.com) in Charcoal Grey. Sources: architect, Craig W. Brearley Architect in Manahawkin (www.cwbrearly.com); builder, Thomas J. Keller Building Contractor LLC in Surf City (www.thomasjkeller.com); landscape, Kline Bros. Landscaping in Manahawkin; interior design, homeowner. | Photos by Jeannette Michelson
KITCHEN/OPEN-PLAN LIVING AREA
Vaulted ceilings, unique custom trimwork, built-ins and other architectural details add interest to this light-filled living area. | Photo by Daphne Disbrow-Keller
The island is topped with a 12-by 4-foot slab of quartz with distinctive veining. | Photo by Daphne Disbrow-Keller
FAMILY ROOM
The vaulted ceiling brings light from every direction in the family room, which is decorated in pale gray with touches of turquoise. Sofas and swivel chairs are upholstered in easy-care, sun- and fade-resistant Sunbrella fabrics that are also grandkid-resilient. | Photo by Jeannette Michelson
KIDS’ QUARTERS
Blue and white is the anchor for this room, which can easily sleep three. Bunk beds are from Raymour & Flanigan (www.raymourflanigan.com) in Toms River. | Photo by Jeannette Michelson
Crisp, hotel-style bedding from Pottery Barn (www.potterybarn.com) serves up contrast to the bed’s antique black finish. Abstract artwork showcases a wave of brushstrokes in complementary hues of black, gray, white and gold. | Photo by Jeannette Michelson