A Coastal Home Designed for Real Life

Inside designer Jess Weeth’s own Rehoboth Beach home

A designer’s own home always tells a different story. It is where they stop designing for a client and start designing for how they actually want to live. Jess Weeth’s home in Rehoboth Beach is exactly that kind of space. It feels personal, layered, and incredibly livable in a way that is hard to fake.

Jess grew up going to Rehoboth, so this home is rooted in memory as much as design. It was created to hold a full family, not just for a weekend but for years. You can feel that intention in every room.

One of the most interesting decisions in the entire home is the layout. Jess designed a T shaped floor plan with two kitchens. At first it sounds like a luxury, but once you see it, it feels like something you would never want to live without.

The main kitchen is beautiful but also calm. The cabinetry has a furniture like feel rather than typical built ins, which instantly softens the space. There is a mix of painted cabinetry and natural wood that keeps it from feeling flat. The hardware leans warm, which adds just enough contrast without being shiny.

Above the island, the lighting feels chosen rather than default. If you have ever felt like your kitchen looks fine but not finished, this is usually why.

Just off the kitchen, the breakfast nook is one of the most charming spaces in the entire house.

What makes it even more interesting is that it was not originally part of the interior at all. It began as an outdoor screened porch and was brought inside during the renovation, which explains why it feels so light filled and tucked away at the same time. It sits right off the kitchen, creating a natural spot for everyday meals that still feels a little removed from the main flow.

At the center is a custom dining table paired with an oversized banquette, designed to comfortably seat extended family. It has that collected, welcoming feeling where people can linger longer than planned. But the real detail is above. The ceiling is wallpapered and layered with stained fretwork, creating a subtle moment you do not fully notice until you are sitting in the space.

Jess collaborated with artist Maggie Austin to design the diamond shaped rosettes with a shell motif, which ties back to the coastal setting in a way that feels thoughtful rather than obvious. It is the kind of detail that makes a space feel designed, not just decorated.

The second kitchen acts as a working space. It allows for prep, mess, and multiple people cooking without taking over the main kitchen. If you entertain at all, this is one of the smartest ideas to take from this house. Even a smaller version like a hidden prep pantry would give you the same effect.

Just off the main living areas, the mudroom is one of those spaces that quietly makes the entire house work better.

It is designed to handle real life. Think built in cabinetry, hooks, and storage that can actually keep up with beach days, kids, and guests coming in and out. But it still feels elevated. The finishes are consistent with the rest of the home, so it never feels like an afterthought or purely utilitarian space.

This is such a good reminder that the most used spaces in a home deserve just as much attention as the main rooms.

The living room is where the home really starts to feel layered.

Nothing matches too perfectly, and that is exactly why it works. The sofa is likely upholstered in a soft linen, paired with chairs in subtle patterns. There is a vintage or vintage style rug grounding the space, which keeps everything from feeling too new. The coffee table feels substantial, probably wood with a bit of age to it, which anchors the room.

One detail that stands out is how Jess mixes wood tones. Instead of trying to match everything, there are lighter and darker finishes working together. It makes the space feel collected over time rather than purchased all at once.

In the dining area, the same ideas continue but feel slightly more tailored.

The table has a classic silhouette, something that could work just as easily in a traditional home. The chairs feel comfortable and unfussy, which matters more than people think in a space where you actually sit and stay awhile. The lighting above is simple but sculptural, giving the room a focal point without overpowering it.

The bathrooms carry that same quiet, thoughtful approach.

Rather than anything overly polished or trendy, they lean into natural materials and soft finishes. You might see stone or tile that has a slightly aged feel, paired with classic fixtures in a warm metal finish. The vanities often feel more like furniture pieces than built ins, which ties back to the rest of the house.

There is a simplicity to these spaces that makes them feel calm and timeless. Nothing flashy, just really well chosen materials and proportions.

Upstairs, the bedrooms are softer and more personal.

Each one feels calm and inviting with upholstered headboards, layered bedding, and lighting that feels like it was chosen with care. There is nothing stark or overly minimal. Everything leans toward comfort, which is exactly what you want in a house like this.

What is most inspiring about this home is what it does not do. There are no obvious beach references, no rope details or nautical decor. Instead, the coastal feeling comes through in the materials and the colors. Linen, wood, soft paint tones, and natural light do all the work.

It also feels slightly European in the way it is put together. Not in a themed way, but in the sense that nothing feels rushed. The rooms feel like they were built slowly, piece by piece, with a mix of new and old.

If you were to take real inspiration from this house, it would be this. Start with warm neutrals instead of stark white. Mix your wood tones. Invest in lighting that feels like part of the design, not an afterthought. Add in one or two pieces that feel like they have history, even if they are new.

Most of all, design your home around how you actually live. That is what makes this one feel so good.

If there is one thing to take from this home, it is this.
The best spaces are not designed all at once. They are layered slowly, with pieces that feel like they belong.

Paint Colors

The palette throughout the home leans soft and layered rather than stark or overly bright, but there are a few standout colors that ground the design.

In the kitchen, the cabinetry is painted in Dove Wing by Benjamin Moore, a warm, creamy white that feels softer than a true white and works beautifully with natural light. It is the kind of color that keeps everything feeling calm and timeless without going flat.

The blue cabinetry comes from the Tidewaters shade from the UKB x Weeth Home Collection, giving that classic coastal blue moment but with a slightly muted, refined tone rather than anything too bold.

On the island, a custom Hinckley stain brings in a deeper wood tone, adding warmth and contrast that helps balance all of the lighter finishes.

What makes this palette work so well is the mix. Nothing feels too crisp or too cool. The whites are warm, the blues are softened, and the wood tones add depth. It is a really good example of how to do coastal in a way that feels elevated and livable.

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Credits

Interior Design: Weeth Home
Designer: Jess Weeth

Builder: Dewson Construction
Stylist: Courtney Favini
Photography: Keyanna Bowen
Location: Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
Source: House Beautiful