By: Jacqueline Gonzalez Photos by: Jason Page
Growing up in a large family meant many fun get-togethers, which inspired sisters Maggie Dundon and Erin White to search for a vacation home of their own to carry out these traditions. They wanted a home with a kid-friendly environment, and many nearby activities for the whole family to enjoy. After visiting Port Aransas in the fall of 2020 from their home in Houston, the sisters fell in love with the beach town and its short drive to Corpus Christi.
What they really loved was the welcoming environment, and although they’ve traveled to many spots over the years, there was something magical about Cinnamon Shore. The entire coastal ambience, including the beaches, pools, boardwalks and local shops, provided an air of comfort that created a desire to plan more family trips. They had such a fabulous time on their vacation that they returned to Houston with a pending contract on their own home.
One of the many reasons they fell in love with this stunning 5-bedroom home was the amazing design Chris Beach of Decorum put together. Maintaining the coastal ambience was important, so when it came to selecting the right décor, Dundon and White took the modern, seaside theme Beach presented and combined their distinctive styles to add their own touches, creating the fresh feeling that greets guests upon arrival.
Choosing the right color palette is important, so they decided to run with a more traditional color scheme that includes whites and creams to form the base while incorporating touches of deep blues for a spritz of the ocean. They also opted for wood and gold accents for added warmth.
Selecting the furniture and décor was fun, yet a bit challenging. Keeping their children in mind, the sisters wanted to find beautiful pieces that were also functional and kid-friendly. After all, Dundon and White agree that “no one likes to go on vacation and constantly be watching out for breakables.” The accessories were kept to a minimum; just enough to add the right touch of personality.
Ample seating in the family room was a must, so they changed the original design to create a prime conversational space. The large, custom cream-colored sectional sofa and two wooden chairs surround a round coffee table perfect for playing board games. Two black rattan chairs with cream-colored shaggy pillows fill in the space between the family room and the corner banquet in the dining area, while adding additional seating options. The combination of navy, black and cream shades creates a classic-meets-cozy look while allowing for large doses of sunshine.
While the natural lighting reflects nicely off the white walls in much of the home, they decided to have a little fun with wall coverings and upholstery fabrics by Thibault to add more character to the living room, dining area and work nook. They also opted for palm wallpaper in fun, bright blue and green hues in the powder room, along with black and white tilework in the second-floor shower.
The main bedrooms each continue the coastal theme and color palette, while artwork, rattan and wood details and glorious outdoor views complete each space. The bunk room, dressed in a sleek and modern black and white theme, features three pairs of twin built-in bunks to sleep six, making it a great space for kids. The white shiplap walls add charm, and the sturdy ladders make climbing into bed less of a chore.
Although they love the proximity and selection of restaurants in the area, Dundon and White both enjoy cooking. “When you’re on vacation, if you choose to cook, you want to be able to enjoy it,” said Dundon, so they worked on a design for a kitchen that was spacious and allowed for comfort. The GE café appliances they opted for added a contemporary touch to the space.
The kitchen island makes a good gathering spot, so they maximized it to include more seating, and chose a warmer color scheme by opting for white quartzite countertops with a stained wood for the cabinetry.
Dundon and White agree the outdoor area is their favorite because it is perfect for winding down and finding calm moments. The second-floor balconies provide ideal spots for relaxing on their rocking chairs while viewing the water, but the first floor’s screened-in porch is the best place to lounge and read on the sofas or sit at the large table and enjoy a meal, free of bugs.
When it comes to the ideal vacation homestead, Dundon and White have certainly struck gold, and having the ability to escape and spend time with their loved ones in the Coastal Bend is made easy with their dream home away from home.