Neptune Beach Cottage Renovation Blends Coastal Chic With Timeless Family Living

It started off as a seasonal Florida retreat, a warm getaway from their home in Potomac, Maryland. “For the husband, this project represented a homecoming. He’s a former Coast Guard officer and he grew up in Neptune Beach,” explains interior designer Tabitha Mahaffey, who worked closely with the clients’ architecture firm, Cronk Duch Architecture, on the project.

Mahaffey, principal of Tabitha Mahaffey Designs based in Texas, has helped this couple transform various residences as both a friend and collaborator for over 25 years. “In this case, with the husband’s extended family nearby, they wanted a place where everyone could gather and spend time together comfortably,” says Mahaffey, adding that the existing home, a 1925 Miami-style bungalow, was weather-worn outside and dated inside. It needed a refresh, a new chance at taking full advantage of the stunning setting.

Cronk Duch Architecture developed a more modern layout by taking the structure down to its studs, moving the central stair to create space for more natural light, and reclaiming underutilized areas. From the cottage’s modest shell, the final renovation delivered four bedrooms, including two primary suites, and light-filled, vieworiented main living spaces. The interior is all about coastal chic— Mahaffey adeptly mixed tropical touches with more traditional, Cape Cod-inspired details. Seashells, palm fronds, pearlized tile, rattan, and driftwood all speak to the seaside setting, as does the palette of soft whites, blues, and greens.

Mahaffey’s Serena & Lily and Schumacher wallpaper and textile selections are polished yet playful. Her accessories—a trio of straw hats over a guest bed, a surfboard honoring the husband’s love of the sport—are playful, too, but add dimension. To give the renovated structure a sense of new-old character, the designer infused the interior with custom millwork throughout. “We wanted to elevate the house and give it a timeless feel with handcrafted cabinetry and wooden beams,” she notes. “We also needed to give our clients as much storage as possible.”

The stair relocation allowed for an updated front entry sequence that leads directly into a welcoming living room. This entertaining space is open to the kitchen, where white Shaker-style perimeter cabinets partner with shutter-style white oak cabinets on the island (a subtle mix of north and south). One of the family’s favorite destinations is what they call the “ocean room,” where a ceiling of exposed rafters and wood paneling mimics the casual, comfy feel of a covered porch.

Since this was a renovation and not a new build there were some challenges along the way. “We had to embrace the cottage’s quirkiness,” notes Mahaffey, who worked diligently to take advantage of every square inch. This dedication resulted in delightful and functional design moments like the living room’s sweet built-in bar and a variety of charming window seats.

The two-year renovation was successful on many levels—with the added benefit of new and enticing outdoor living destinations, including a large deck and spa. It was so successful, in fact, that the owners are contemplating making Neptune Beach their full-time home base. (They are finding it hard to leave.) Now, whether they are home alone or entertaining their grown children or guests, the house revolves around togetherness. In fact, the only TV is in a dedicated media room above the garage. These homeowners know the best show of all is that dune-laced ocean view.

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