Beachy Nostalgia

A beloved beach cottage in Delaware gets a light and airy renovation, perfect for a large family seeking summer fun.

- BRENDA N. KLUG

COME ON IN. The family room sets a beachy, relaxing tone for those who enter the cottage. Mixing pastels and neutrals adds to the coastal feel. Pascale used sturdy furniture in low-key fabrics so that young and old can feel free to gather here.

Jeff and Amy Baum hold a deep attachment to their Rehoboth Beach vacation home. Amy's mom built this cottage decades ago as a place for family to soak up beachy summer days together. With the passing of Amy's mom and the expansion of the family, it was time for renovation. Enter renowned French American designer and architect Pascale de Fouchier, owner of Pascale de Fouchier Interiors. Pascale reimagined every area of the cottage while still honoring the lighthearted spirit of Amy's mom.

CHECK POINT. With as many as 10 family members staying at the cottage at once, storage is key. The entryway uses a functional wooden bench to drop bags, hats and shoes. A wellplaced mirror allows for a "little head check" before leaving, Pascale says.

A FULL PORCH. The favorite gathering spot of the Baums is the front porch. "My mom loved to sit out here with a book and watch the people walk by," Amy says. Pascale created two separate seating areas to maximize the amount of family members who can gather here. The large rectangular table seemed counterproductive to fitting more people on the porch, but once the Baums realized it could fit eight people, they were on board!

A BALANCED SPACE. Pascale enjoyed watching this open dining room evolve from a bare yet heavy space to a real gathering place. The solid pine dining table is a family heirloom. "The rug and wood wall décor bring warmth; the plaster chandelier balances traditional with more up-to-date style," Pascale says.