Forces of nature have a way of propelling future plans into motion. Such was the case for a family of six, who loved their simple 1950s weekend cottage perched high above the Elk River, the northernmost tributary of the Chesapeake Bay. The owners intended to expand or renovate the property someday—then two trees fell on the house during a massive storm. “There was a significant amount of damage,” recalls the wife. “We took it as a sign that it was time to rebuild rather than try to fix it.”

She and her husband, former proprietors of a family business, were originally drawn to the site by its dramatic views and proximity to their main residence in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, a mere 90-minute drive away. Planning for their new Maryland getaway, the couple envisioned a home that would accentuate watery vistas and comfortably accommodate extended family and friends in chic but not fussy style. They enlisted residential designer Matthew Pearson, interior designer Erin Paige Pitts and J.R. Leonard of Avalon Custom Builders to make the dream a reality.

“The owners wanted a timeless, elegantly inspired house that would sit well with its surroundings. We settled on classic New England Shingle style,” notes Pearson. “Interior spaces were designed to be open and informal, with an eye towards organization and sightlines that connect each space with views of the river.”

Clad in blue cedar shingles, the finished 6,500-square-foot retreat revolves around relaxation, ease and indoor-outdoor connection. The open kitchen, dining area and family room, along with the primary suite and a generous screened porch, are situated on the second story to enjoy long, unobstructed vistas of the river, where a dock and boat await. A guest suite and corridors, stairs and an elevator were placed on the street side.

The ground floor harbors a second guest suite, plus two playful bunkrooms with a shared bath to accommodate the owners’ three teenage daughters and one son, plus friends. A mudroom with plenty of cubbies keeps clutter at bay, while a highly organized staging zone dubbed the river room is a gateway to outdoor adventures. Equipped with a bath, a full-size refrigerator and ice machine, and lockers to store water bottles, life jackets, fishing gear, towels, sunscreen and coolers, it maintains order even when the house is overflowing with guests.

With a bounty of cleverly concealed storage solutions built into the floor plan, Erin Paige Pitts and the owners set out to bedeck the interiors, from public to utility spaces, in contemporary coastal style. “I wanted Erin to have fun with tile, wallpaper and layers of texture,” conveys the wife. “But we also wanted people to be able to put their feet up on every surface.”

As the designer explains, “I call the look ‘flip-flop friendly.’ The owners wanted their kids to be able to run in and out in wet bathing suits. So, although they look like wood, the upstairs floors are a luxury vinyl tile and seating is covered in performance fabrics. Everything was done in a way that is sophisticated and fun, but also durable—nothing’s too precious.”

From the home’s colorful cedar-shake exterior to its winsome décor, waves of blue enliven an otherwise neutral palette and echo the watery scene outdoors. Finished in custom oak and painted-white cabinetry with a glass-tile backsplash, the inviting kitchen and butler’s pantry were designed by Pitts to cater to a crowd. Villa & House stools in a driftwood finish pull up to the island for casual meals or cocktail hour. Overscaled light fixtures in mixed metals make a bold statement.

Pitts played up organic textures throughout the residence. A jute rug and wicker host chairs anchor the dining area. While backs of the guest chairs are cloaked in Serena Dugan linen, the seats sport durable vinyl in a matching shade.

Centered around a stone hearth, the open family room assembles the whole gang for rainy day board games or cozy movie nights. A Wesley Hall sofa, a rattan settee and a blue Made Goods table in glazed raffia gather on a handmade jute rug by J. Leigh. A common thread visually links Pitts’ cheery fabric and bold tile selections. “The circle medallion on the butler pantry’s floor tile is a nod to the Schumacher drapery fabric in the dining and the family room,” she explains. “And from the family room, you see wallpaper with a circle motif in the primary suite vestibule, which also relates back to the drapery. So it all works together.”

The designer turned up the volume in the boys’ and girls’ bunkrooms. These sleepover-ready hangouts are drenched in dreamy blues, offset by whimsical wallcovering that Pitts installed only on ceilings to keep the budget in check.

“We intentionally decided not to give each child their own room,” says the mom, recalling the original cottage on site. “When we’re down there, we want all the kids to pile into big bunkrooms, no matter their ages, and spend time together.”

Sojourns to the Maryland house may include boat and jet-ski trips, fishing, water skiing and tubing on the river. The family’s stylish yet durable home makes all the activity a breeze. Down time, says the wife, is usually spent on the back deck. “Everybody can just congregate out there for breakfast or happy hour. There's something about being on the water that is so calming,” she adds. “We can stare at the river forever.”