On the market for a waterfront vacation home, designer Diane Hemmersbaugh and her husband discovered a 1974 cottage overlooking Mill Creek on Solomons Island. They purchased the Maryland property, embarking on an update that would lean into that scenic water vista. An existing covered deck off the back got an overhaul that replaced a disability ramp with a stair leading directly from the porch to the yard and dock beyond. The designer retained the wood decking and cable railings that don’t obscure the view, then painted the woodwork crisp white. A teak dining table and metal chairs convey a casually elegant vibe; cozy rattan seating is enlivened by Sunbrella fabric.
“The covered deck is one of the unexpected pleasures of this house,” says Hemmersbaugh. “We truly spend most of the day there, starting with coffee and including happy hour and dinner. It’s beautiful to watch the changing light on the water throughout the day and into the evening.”
Renovation Contractor: Salazar Construction, Washington, DC. Interior Design: Diane Hemmersbaugh, Theo & Co. Design, Potomac, Maryland.
