“There’s something about living by the water that brings me a sense of calm,” declares Bethany Beach custom builder Marnie Oursler, who recently completed her own vacation getaway on the Severn River in Annapolis. She hired Purple Cherry Architects to design the coastal Cape Cod-style abode, which features a guest room (pictured) with expansive water views.  

“The home is elevated about 30 feet above the river’s edge,” recalls principal architect Cathy Purple Cherry. “The bedroom’s large, ganged windows create an emotional connection to the water below.” 

A beamed, vaulted shiplap ceiling and walls clad in board and batten embellish the space. “I wanted as much light as possible,” Oursler relates. “The ceiling adds volume and an oval window draws the eye up.”

RH furniture and lighting lend coziness while a surfboard from K-Coast in Bethany Beach is a playful touch. Since completing the home, Oursler has converted the guest room into a nursery for her infant daughter. As she reflects, “I sit in a rocking chair with her while watching the boats go by. It really is peaceful.”