BEACH & BAY COTTAGE TOUR SNEAK PEEK #5

Renovation Demonstrates how to Maintain the Small Town Quality of Bethany Beach

(Bethany Beach, DE, June 5, 2026): (Editor’s Note: This is the fifth in a series of previews of the ten homes that will be on display during the 34th Beach & Bay Cottage Tour to be held virtually July 12 through August 2 and, for 8 preselected homes, in-person on July 22 and July 23.)

When the Owners purchased this modest 1985 beach cottage in 2019, their original intent was to tear it down and rebuild. However, living there during Covid gave them time to develop a new appreciation for the small space that better suited the couple and their new puppy. They also felt it was important to preserve the familiar small salt box form that has been gradually replaced throughout town with much larger homes. Rather than expanding their footprint, their new plan was to renovate the interior space and focus instead on creating improved access to the exterior space for maximum enjoyment of the outdoors.

A new second floor front entry, hidden behind a slatted stair tower, bypasses the lower level to access the main living area upstairs, hinting at the stylish contemporary makeover inside. A light-washed entry hall leads past the primary bedroom suite to the open living space beyond. There, white shiplap on the walls and a soaring vaulted ceiling create a sense of spaciousness that belies the small square footage. South-facing windows across the back of the house add natural light and cross ventilation as well as access to an elevated bridge leading to a tree-shaded upper dining deck. Back inside two levels of open bookshelves flank a dramatic steel and maple hanging stairway that separates the main floor from the guest quarters below. Two bedrooms, an office and a bar provide privacy for visitors and easy access to the detached screen porch and plunge pool out back.

The clean linear lines and black steel accents of the home’s contemporary styling are beautifully balanced by the use of soft maple flooring on the main level and easy maintenance cork flooring downstairs. The deep tones of mahogany on the kitchen island and in the primary bathroom add an additional layer of richness, warmth and character to the neutral backdrop with added pops of color provided by mid-century modern art.

The homeowners have achieved their revised vision of a modestly scaled home that seamlessly integrates the natural verdant surroundings outside with the serene open interior for a blurring of indoor and outdoor space that meets but doesn’t exceed their needs. The completed design illustrates the value of renovating summer cottages rather than rebuilding and maintains a connection to the original scale, density and small-town quality of Bethany Beach.

This is just one of the outstanding properties that will be viewed by those who purchase tickets for the 34th Beach & Bay Cottage Tour. Although this week’s home will not be available for in-person viewing, like all 10 homes on the 2026 Tour, this home will be available to be seen virtually by holders of both Combo and Virtual tickets. Each of the 10 homes on the Tour will feature a professionally produced video which will offer Tour patrons an opportunity to view each home as often as they want from anywhere during the three-week virtual tour period. Special features include bird’s-eye drone video footage and the ability to view the Tour on any internet-enabled device.

The 34th Beach & Bay Cottage Tour is proudly presented by Leslie Kopp and The Leslie Kopp Group, and this home is also sponsored by Platinum Sponsor SEA Studio Architects.

Combo tickets are $50 and Virtual-only tickets are $35. The number of Combo tickets is limited and may be used either day of the tour, with a single entry permitted to each home. To purchase tickets or for more information, please visit the Cottage Tour’s website at beachandbaycottagetour.com.

The Cottage Tour is produced by the Friends of the South Coastal Library. All net proceeds directly benefit the library’s operations.