A woefully outmoded house with sweeping views of Irish Creek enticed a couple looking for a waterfront getaway. They hatched a plan to remodel the 5,200-square-foot abode in stages: A largely cosmetic, whole-house makeover would be followed by a thorough overhaul of the kitchen and primary bath.

Carol Wheeler of Jamie Merida Interiors spearheaded the project. “It was a top-to-bottom transformation,” she recounts. “What was there was just plain vanilla. We tried to complement the water view without taking away from it.”

For a cohesive look, a mishmash of flooring materials was replaced throughout with Provenza engineered-oak planks. The living room fireplace was bumped out and embellished with horizontal shiplap and granite. Furniture and lighting, plus upgrades to existing bathrooms, created an aesthetic that Wheeler calls “coastal with nautical accents—but without going overboard.” More shiplap accents and a palette of blues and beiges make a perfect backdrop for artwork that conjures bayfront culture.

Talbot Builders & Sons was enlisted to tackle the second phase, making structural changes to improve the kitchen and primary bath. The former traded a boxed-in layout and small island for an open plan, centered on a large, furniture-style island, that flows into the dining area/family room. The bathroom now sports a soaking tub, floral wallpaper and a luxe feel.

Interior & Kitchen Design: Jamie Merida Interiors, Easton, Maryland. Renovation Contracting: Talbot Builders & Sons LLC, Sherwood, Maryland.