How Marnie Turned a Wish List into a Dream Home in South Bethany
Today, I’m thrilled to share the story behind “Sol Mate” – one of our latest projects: a stunning oceanfront home in South Bethany Beach, Delaware. When Sue & Scott Kinneys came to me to design their coastal retirement home, they had a clear vision—something sophisticated and beachy, but also kid- and pet-friendly. With grown children, grandkids, and their beloved dogs and cats, it was important to create a space that blended style with practicality.
Marnie with homeowners Sue & Scott Kinney
The Back Story
The homeowners, originally from a horse farm in Pennsylvania, bought this lot with an older cottage on it in 2020 to build their dream retirement home. Having seen our work around the community, they reached out to me after purchasing the home but in the height of COVID they wanted to wait and we didn’t start building until 2021.
The Kinneys purchased this home in 2020 to rebuild with Marnie Custom Homes.
The Design Brief
Our process always begins with a wish list and evolves as the design takes shape. I love this part of the journey because it’s all about taking that wish list and working it into the lot size and navigating FEMA and DNREC regulations. It’s like solving a puzzle, fitting all the pieces together.
Here’s what the Kinney’s envisioned:
- 4 bedrooms
- 2.5 baths
- Office
- High deck with ocean view
- Screened/covered porch
- Storage area
- Outside shower
- Open kitchen/dining area with island seating
- Centralized fireplace
- Dog grooming/feeding area
- Luxury vinyl plank flooring
- Shiplap accents
- Alternative energy solutions
- Colors: white, blue accents, light woods
- Cozy and welcoming environment
The Home’s Layout and Aesthetic
We started by designing their 3,366-square-foot home across three floors, featuring four bedrooms, four full bathrooms, and two half baths. The home’s aesthetic is a ‘transitional coastal’ style, blending traditional and modern elements.
We used organic materials like light oak-toned flooring, wood beams and pearl chandeliers, along with neutral colors, to create a warm, inviting atmosphere that ties the home to its natural surroundings. The palette is clean and natural, with whites and light woods, accented by touches of blue and black.
The main living and kitchen area is the star of the show and we installed multi-slide Marvin Modern multi-glide doors to keep the focus on the incredible ocean views. The sleek, grill-free profiles of Marvin windows allowed us to seamlessly blend contemporary design with coastal charm.
Key Design Elements
In the kitchen, we crafted custom white oak cabinets and added special touches like arched doorways and a custom feeding alcove for the dogs, complete with a pot filler to make refilling water bowls easier.
We chose luxury vinyl plank flooring in light oak which is durable enough to withstand the Kinneys’ pets and young grandchildren.
The fireplace features a ribbon porcelain tile surround that mimics wood, adding texture.
Catio: Designed for the Kinney’s cats, this room features floor-to-ceiling windows and a sunning ledge.
Beach Prep Room: Equipped with a refrigerator/freezer, laundry, sink, powder room, and dog wash station — featuring penny tile that playfully spells out ‘WOOF’—to keep sand and salt contained., it’s perfect for beach days.
Custom Millwork: Includes arched doorways, custom bunk beds, reeded wood wall paneling, and shiplap accents throughout the home.
My Favorite Part
My favorite area is the main living room and kitchen. With wall-to-wall glass doors offering breathtaking ocean views, this space is both sophisticated and inviting, making it the perfect spot for family gatherings and relaxation.
A close second is the double-height stairwell with its cathedral ceiling and multiple windows that let light flood into the space. It’s a showstopper, complete with a modern stair railing, shiplap, and an organic-style chandelier that brings warmth and texture.
Building for Coastal Conditions
Since we are building on the oceanfront, durability was key and take that responsibility seriously. We had to navigate strict building codes, FEMA and DNREC regulations, and this home exceeds the Hurricane Zone 3 requirements, using steel framing and materials rated to withstand winds up to 130 MPH. The exterior materials were selected to withstand the harsh oceanfront environment, including NuCedar siding, IPE decking, and lighting built to withstand salt air and water. We know the Kinneys can rest easy, knowing their home is well-protected.
Construction Timeline
We began designing in 2021 and broke ground in October 2022, completing the project in July 2023. Despite the usual challenges of building on the oceanfront, we stayed on our nine-month building schedule, thanks to our dedicated team and meticulous planning. The Kinneys enjoyed the summer and retirement in their new beach home.
The Result
This home was brought to life through a collaborative and thoughtful design process. The Kinney family was deeply involved, and their input was invaluable in creating a home that meets their needs and desires. It was such a rewarding experience working together to make their vision a reality!
Projects like these remind me why I love what I do—turning dreams into reality, one custom home at a time.
Thank you for joining me on this journey, and I hope this story inspires you to dream big for your own home. You can view more photos and videos of “Sol Mate” here.
