Aqua sea glass coated in salt from the ocean, broken shells with their textured, cream-colored façade, muted green dune grasses blowing in the wind, driftwood washed up along the shore — all these items are perfectly imperfect and fill this family beach home in Port Aransas’ coveted Beachwalk neighborhood. When the homeowner first found the property, she couldn’t help but appreciate these details. “The former owner took the outside and brought it in,” she said.
This home was fairly complete when the owner purchased it. “The previous owner was a genius at picking things out,” the homeowner said, and only added a few extra touches to make it her own. The concept behind the design is clear — every material emulates what can be found on the beach. Whitewashed shiplap covers the walls of the main living areas, while seafoam green paneling is repeated on the ceilings. Every piece of the wall paneling was hand-scraped to look like a piece of driftwood.
One of the many elements that attracted the owner to this home is the open living area. The living room showcases a custom sectional, perfectly scaled to the size of the room. The shadow box coffee table displays curated items like shells, coral, starfish and sea sponges. Staple coffee table book Beaches by Gray Malin is a seamless addition to this display. The floor lamp even has the smooth, curved appearance of a conch shell. Wingback chairs with coordinating fabric frame the fireplace, and a sisal rug grounds the space while adding another layer of texture.
The whitewashed paneling in the living area seamlessly melds into the glass mosaic backsplash in the kitchen. This backsplash, reminiscent of sea glass, continues behind the custom paneled vent hood, one of many special millwork features. Details like the ogee profile on the feet of each kitchen cabinet and the petite columns at each corner of the island make the cabinetry feel more like showcase furniture rather than simple kitchen cupboards.
The enormous kitchen island includes even more of this unique detailing. Its countertop looks like it was made from broken seashells, and the end of the island features a nice designer touch: cubbies to display special items. Counter stools of distressed driftwood with rush seats add more texture to the kitchen. Out the glass doors from the kitchen and living room is a massive wrap-around porch with stunning beach, dune and water views. This view of the Gulf of Mexico is one of the elements that sealed the deal for the homeowner, as she noted, “The sunrises are indescribable.”
Down the hall from the great room is the powder room. A hand-painted mural of the Coastal Bend by a local artist covers the walls above the wainscoting. The guest bedroom around the corner includes more elements of the outdoors with its grass cloth walls, rattan bench and aqua highlights. Quaint sitting areas, each with their own special elements, welcome guests to each level of the home. One of the most unique aspects of this home is its efficient use of otherwise dead space. The hallway on the third floor includes custom bunkbeds — the perfect spot to read a book or take a mid-afternoon nap. The kids’ bedroom around the corner features a massive built-in bed. “The adults even love sleeping in here,” the homeowner declared.
The true grown-up retreat is the master suite. The bedroom’s vaulted ceiling, distressed shiplap and rattan ceiling fan tie in elements from the rest of the home. A sitting area near the balcony doors features an ornate mirror covered in iridescent shells and coral. The master bathroom is a serene escape with its own unique details. The extra-long vanity cabinets and mirrors feature beautiful traditional fretwork.
All these elements come together to create an inspired dwelling with a seamless connection to the surrounding nature. It’s a home the owner describes as one of the greatest blessings of her life. “The biggest joy about this house is that it’s for creating good memories. I’ve had some of the absolute best memories with my family and dear friends in this home. And the house just adds to it. Its intent is to create great memories and traditions … all the things that matter. Those are the important things in life.”