A House For Summer Pleasures And Yearlong Escape In Rehoboth Beach. Spring through autumn, the outdoor deck is used frequently for entertaining, from intimate dinners to large cocktail parties. Comfortable and inviting, the weathered generous-scale oak furniture is harmonious with the natural setting; the round dining table is a central element, influencing the flow of activity.
Nature is generous, visually expanding dimensions, yet it is easy to overlook that this Rehoboth Beach property occupies a modest, unpretentious lot of just 50 ft. by 100 ft.
Located in an older neighborhood near the resort community’s commercial avenues, this property is indeed an escape, a calm retreat sheltered all around by a six-foot fence sporting trelliswork in its upper portion, partially covered by ivy, blending harmoniously with the mature landscape. We discover seclusion and privacy without compromise.
Enter the gate, breeze across the flagstone steppingstones, and arrive at an inviting exterior deck that spans the length of the house, presenting an outdoor living area of 600 square feet where three sets of French doors provide alternative access to the house.
This house that so pleasingly harmonizes with the natural setting has had an interesting evolution. In the late 1930s, all that was there was an old garage, not more than 10 by 20 feet. Later, the garage was converted into a humble one-room summer cottage to which an 8 by 20 foot front porch was added, probably in the 1940s.
Eventually, in 1980, a new owner removed the porch and expanded the simple cottage into a summer home of 1,000 sq. ft., and added the exterior deck. His contribution of cedar shingles for the exterior siding and exterior doors and windows salvaged from older homes gave the house a vintage feeling, the patina of age.
Left: Replacing a 20-year old “white laminate kitchen,” this gourmet kitchen maximizes the efficiency of the compact space. Right: The spacious “great room” is a favorite spot for quiet solitude as well as gatherings of family and friends. Its ambiance is casual yet graceful.
Finally, the current owners, Lee DeFord and Larry Myslewski, purchased the property in 1996 and undertook a complete renovation, fully adapting the house for year-round living. They took the house, which features a living/dining area, kitchen, two bedrooms, and two bathrooms, into the 21st century without sacrificing the inviting charm and warm “always been there” character.
For DeFord, an interior designer with a primary residence in Washington, DC, who gets to the beach just about every weekend throughout the year, as well as for Myslewski, a management consultant who makes Rehoboth Beach his full-time home, a fundamental priority was to adapt the house for yearlong use.
Their adaptations addressed a number of practical concerns in order to maximize livability and comfort. First, they installed a central heating and air conditioning system, and without delay, they renovated the kitchen, updated bathrooms, added closets, and installed a security system. Now, since DeFord is executing interior design projects at the eastern shore more often, and both he and Myslewski launched the Vespa Rehoboth Beach motor scooter boutique last year, the house is getting more year-round use than ever before.
In keeping with the informal, friendly spirit of the house, the interiors were executed with emphasis on natural materials, a neutral color palette, and ease of maintenance in support of casual living. There is a “great room” with a cathedral ceiling for living and dining and an adjoining state-of-the-art kitchen that may comfortably accommodate gatherings of family and friends. From spring through fall, the deck allows home living to flow outdoors, expanding the possibilities for easy entertaining, and enlarging the charm of the house.
Left: Off the living/dining area, a small room leading to a bedroom serves as a cozy den. This is a warm, inviting space, ideal for relaxing with a good book, watching television, or spending time on the computer. Right: At the front-end of the house, this airy guestroom offers privacy and uncluttered comfort, away from the house's main activity.
Intelligent design affords the best solutions, and this house functions like a charm. Here, by design, a sense of spaciousness was achieved. Notably, the floor plan allows for the bedroom/bathroom suites to be at opposite ends—a very smart feature for a small house.
For the owners, there is the satisfaction of knowing they got it right. Indoors and outdoors, this beach property is a retreat from the hassles of the everyday real world. It is a place to relax, and the seclusion and true privacy it allows is appreciated more and more with the passing of time.
For Myslewski, the winter season is especially cozy, and he likes to make frequent use of the fireplace when enjoying some quiet personal time. DeFord welcomes every opportunity to apply his professional knowledge and diverse resources as an interior designer to enhance the appeal of the house. His creative ideas relating to pine flooring, wood cabinetry, limestone countertops, painted effects, as well as home furnishing, are reflected throughout the house. As a collector, he is happy to continually find just the right articles of fine art and antiques to enrich the interiors.
Both DeFord and Myslewski seem to take the greatest pleasure in the fact that their house is all about carefree comfort and effortless style. This is a house that helps make life easier, a bit smoother. It is a refuge. The owners like to be there as much as possible. Who would not? This is a house that no one would ever want to leave, except perhaps to go to the beach. After all, we should not overlook that the beach is just a lovely short walk away.
John Francisco Andreu is an art historian, furniture designer, and freelance writer focusing on interior design and the decorative arts. John is a regular contributor to ChesapeakeHome.
Contacts:
DeFord Sharp Interiors, Lee DeFord: defordsharpinteriors.com or 202-333-3783
