Houzz Tour: A Plywood-Paneled Beach Cottage Stands Out in Florida
Humble materials and a carefree design come together in a low-maintenance vacation home
Nora Burba Trulsson
December 1, 2016
Houzz Contributor. Freelance writer specializing in architecture, interiors, landscape, design and lifestyle topics. http://www.noraburbatrulsson.com
Houzz Contributor. Freelance writer specializing in architecture, interiors, landscape,... More
When Beverly Rhoads and Claire Deal decided to build a beach house in northwestern Florida, they knew the home had to serve several needs. The couple wanted it to be an easy-breezy, lock-and-leave retreat from their busy lives in Virginia. They also wanted to be able to use the house as a vacation rental and, down the road, as a retirement home.
To help them achieve their multipurpose house, they enlisted the help of architect Frank Greene. Inspired by the Gulf Coast beach cottage vernacular, Greene came up with a compact, two-story, low-maintenance design that makes the most of indoor-outdoor living.
To help them achieve their multipurpose house, they enlisted the help of architect Frank Greene. Inspired by the Gulf Coast beach cottage vernacular, Greene came up with a compact, two-story, low-maintenance design that makes the most of indoor-outdoor living.
Photos by Jack Gardner
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Claire Deal and Beverly Rhoads; both are college professors and involved in the arts
Location: Inlet Beach, Florida
Size: 1,300 square feet (120.7 square meters); two bedrooms, two bathrooms
Designer: Frank Greene
The half-acre property, a few minutes’ walk from the beach, was part of a larger parcel that belonged to Deal’s father. “He built a concrete block cottage there in the 1950s,” she says. “It was simple, and you could basically hose it out. That’s what we were looking for in the new house.”
Deal and Rhoads found Greene down the road from their property. He lives a few houses away in a house he designed, and the couple liked his beachy-meets-modern aesthetic.
For Deal and Rhoads’ home, Greene put the main living spaces and master suite on the first floor (perfect for aging in place) and the guest quarters upstairs. He emphasized indoor-outdoor living by opening up the back of the house, shown here, to the patio and yard. And he added a screened-in dining room on the first floor and a shaded deck above, which offers glimpses of the nearby beach.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Claire Deal and Beverly Rhoads; both are college professors and involved in the arts
Location: Inlet Beach, Florida
Size: 1,300 square feet (120.7 square meters); two bedrooms, two bathrooms
Designer: Frank Greene
The half-acre property, a few minutes’ walk from the beach, was part of a larger parcel that belonged to Deal’s father. “He built a concrete block cottage there in the 1950s,” she says. “It was simple, and you could basically hose it out. That’s what we were looking for in the new house.”
Deal and Rhoads found Greene down the road from their property. He lives a few houses away in a house he designed, and the couple liked his beachy-meets-modern aesthetic.
For Deal and Rhoads’ home, Greene put the main living spaces and master suite on the first floor (perfect for aging in place) and the guest quarters upstairs. He emphasized indoor-outdoor living by opening up the back of the house, shown here, to the patio and yard. And he added a screened-in dining room on the first floor and a shaded deck above, which offers glimpses of the nearby beach.
Tucked into a natural site dotted with live oaks, palmettos and slash pines, the home makes the most of its humble concrete block and corrugated aluminum materials with angled rooflines and patterns made by windows and doors, which flood the interior with daylight.
“It’s a simple, modern look that exposes the building materials,” Greene says, “and those materials are maintenance-free. There’s also really no landscaping to take care of. Anything that was newly planted is revegetation.”
Windows and doors: Jeld-Wen
“It’s a simple, modern look that exposes the building materials,” Greene says, “and those materials are maintenance-free. There’s also really no landscaping to take care of. Anything that was newly planted is revegetation.”
Windows and doors: Jeld-Wen
On the side of the house, a louvered wall hides an outdoor shower, a must on Deal and Rhoad’s list for the new house. The shower connects to the master bathroom with a metal garage-style door.
“We run, we bike, sail and paddleboard when we’re here,” Rhoads says. “We wanted to be able to rinse off after the beach.”
“We run, we bike, sail and paddleboard when we’re here,” Rhoads says. “We wanted to be able to rinse off after the beach.”
The main level includes the open living, kitchen and master bedroom spaces. In keeping with the home’s simple, low-maintenance aesthetic, the interior walls are clad in birch plywood with a clear finish and the flooring is sealed concrete.
The owners furnished the house with a mix of vintage pieces and modestly priced new finds, sturdy enough to withstand the wear and tear of beach life, their two dogs and vacation renters.
The owners furnished the house with a mix of vintage pieces and modestly priced new finds, sturdy enough to withstand the wear and tear of beach life, their two dogs and vacation renters.
Vintage Florida rattan furniture sets the style for the living room, which opens to the back patio. Clerestory windows add light to the high ceilings, which are clad in corrugated aluminum. “Once we moved in, we realized how much the aluminum ceilings help bounce light into the house,” Rhoads says. “The material gives the house a nice glow.”
Modern armchairs: Poly and Bark; area rug: Green Front Furniture
Modern armchairs: Poly and Bark; area rug: Green Front Furniture
A spiral staircase leads from the main floor up to the guest quarters. The turquoise closet door on the right adds a dollop of color.
The architect kept the ductwork exposed. “The ceiling follows the pitch of the roof,” Greene says, “and there is no plenum space for ductwork, and we didn’t want an attic. The exposed ductwork follows the aesthetic of the design, in which the materials are visible.”
Staircase: Paragon Stairs
The architect kept the ductwork exposed. “The ceiling follows the pitch of the roof,” Greene says, “and there is no plenum space for ductwork, and we didn’t want an attic. The exposed ductwork follows the aesthetic of the design, in which the materials are visible.”
Staircase: Paragon Stairs
The simple U-shaped kitchen has plenty of bar-style counter space for informal meals. The owners used porcelain indoor-outdoor floor tile as a sturdy countertop material. Maple cabinets, with no uppers to obstruct views, keep things serene and uncluttered.
Rhoads’ artwork adds interest below the countertop.
Cabinetry: Waypoint Living Spaces; countertops and pendant lamp: Lowe’s; sink: Elkay; range, refrigerator and dishwasher: Frigidaire; range hood: Broan; bar stools: Inspire
Rhoads’ artwork adds interest below the countertop.
Cabinetry: Waypoint Living Spaces; countertops and pendant lamp: Lowe’s; sink: Elkay; range, refrigerator and dishwasher: Frigidaire; range hood: Broan; bar stools: Inspire
The master bedroom is a door-free alcove off the living room and kitchen, with a Murphy bed that allows the space to have multiple uses.
“Because this house is so small, we wanted the master bedroom to be used more than just a few hours a night,” Rhoads says. “If we wanted to break out the disco ball and have a dance party, the bedroom space could be part of it.”
The Danish modern secretary is vintage.
Murphy bed: Hardwood Artisans; area rug: Green Front Furniture
See how to add a Murphy bed to your home
“Because this house is so small, we wanted the master bedroom to be used more than just a few hours a night,” Rhoads says. “If we wanted to break out the disco ball and have a dance party, the bedroom space could be part of it.”
The Danish modern secretary is vintage.
Murphy bed: Hardwood Artisans; area rug: Green Front Furniture
See how to add a Murphy bed to your home
A wet room in the master bath includes a deep soaking tub and access to the outdoor shower.
Tub and tile: Lowe’s; faucets: Ikea
Tub and tile: Lowe’s; faucets: Ikea
The second-floor guest room has a convertible sofa for overnight guests. Carpet tiles add a splash of color, while a bank of windows offers a peek at the nearby beach.
Ceiling fan: Westinghouse; carpet tiles: Flor
Ceiling fan: Westinghouse; carpet tiles: Flor
The guest room does extra duty as a quiet sitting room or a yoga studio.
Sofa: West Elm; chair: Crate & Barrel; end tables: Ikea
Sofa: West Elm; chair: Crate & Barrel; end tables: Ikea
Just off the kitchen, the screened-in porch serves as the dining room. “We put the porch and the upstairs deck on the home’s west side,” Greene says. “It helps keep the late-afternoon sun away from the home’s living spaces.”
Table: Pottery Barn; chairs: Lowe’s; ceiling fan: Westinghouse
Table: Pottery Barn; chairs: Lowe’s; ceiling fan: Westinghouse
A generous roof keeps things cool on the upstairs deck, which has views of the neighborhood and beach.
Table: HomeGoods; chairs: Lowe’s
Table: HomeGoods; chairs: Lowe’s
The second level includes the guest quarters.
Builder: RCL Development
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Builder: RCL Development
Browse more homes by style: Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
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Not bad, but too much wood can get tiring. I liked the outside though.
Love the wood and open floor plan. Can't wait to stay here on vacation! https://www.vrbo.com/885529
I came across your home while browsing cottages. I love your use of metal and plywood, and the simplicity of the home. Thanks for sharing. I hope you're enjoying it!
Rick