A Guide to Designing a Home on the Jersey Shore

Made for Gatherings, Made to Last

Make the most of your beach house with three design essentials: an effortless entertaining layout, a look that combines modern and timeless styles, and a long-term vision that transforms your home into a legacy and gift. It all begins with openness. An open layout fosters a natural flow, personal connection, and smart functionality – everything a beach house by the shore needs to feel elevated and effortless.

"Light materials and unique features make a summer home feel like a true vacation getaway every time." - Jack Ovadia

Let's Dive In

It was essential to the homeowners that their home's design serve as a relaxing space for their married children and future grandchildren, while still accommodating large gatherings with friends. These key aspects rooted our design in creating an heirloom for their growing family—a token that could be passed down. To achieve this, our concept included an open layout, suites for family members, and private suites for weekend guests, enhancing the home’s functionality.

Expansive Foyer

Upon entering the home, we aimed to create an open layout enhanced by natural, ocean-inspired elements. We integrated polished Pallisandro blue marble to serve as a visual guide, allowing the eye to travel upward, enhancing the illusion of height, while adding depth and visual interest. The foyer is complemented by a custom-made chandelier created in collaboration with Preciosa. Inspired by seabirds, the two-story chandelier features hand-blown glass and captures the essence of birds in flight.

Our use of neutral tones, coastal elements, and natural materials achieved our goal of creating a timeless entryway that reflects its location and surroundings. Deal, New Jersey, is known for its serenity and calmness; we wanted that same feeling to be part of the home's story.

"We Believe that Small Details Matter Most."

Effortless Hosting & Connecting

For our kitchen design, we aimed to create a space that’s sophisticated and infused with a coastal ambiance. We achieved this by combining natural wood tones with crisp white panels, resulting in a contemporary look that feels both balanced and warm. The Gabriel Scott geometric pendants above the islands, inspired by jewelry, appear light and airy while echoing the cabinet trim details. The homeowners are passionate cooks and entertainers. To support their lifestyle, our team incorporated double islands and a dinette in the kitchen, perfect for hosting.

We always seek opportunities to create spaces that inspire memorable moments, especially those that occur when family gathers. The kitchen smoothly connects to the dinette and living room, making it easy to share family meals, enjoy afternoon conversations, and everything in between. A summer home should always provide areas where everyone feels comfortable and connected, allowing good times and great company to flow naturally.

Wellness Within Reach

The house features eight spacious bedrooms, each thoughtfully designed with its own en-suite bathroom to provide comfort and privacy for every guest. From the guest rooms to the discreet staff quarters and throughout every part of the home, light and airy design elements evoke a gentle ocean breeze. These features create a peaceful, refreshing atmosphere—a subtle yet constant reminder of the home’s seaside location and the relaxed vibe of the season.

Seamless Indoor/Outdoor Living

For the patio area, we created a timeless outdoor living space capable of accommodating a large group of friends and family.

Floor-to-ceiling windows provide an unobstructed view of the backyard, creating an immersive experience enhanced by the sights and sounds of the nearby ocean.

Access to the outdoor living area is easy with multiple entry points along the back of the house.

The cabana was designed to suit all ages, making it the ideal spot for dining and relaxing by the pool. This outdoor living area meets the homeowner’s needs while keeping a peaceful connection to nature, right at home.

Made with Future Generations in Mind

This seasonal getaway seamlessly combines modern coastal style with the comfort and practicality of a family home.

As Jack Ovadia describes it:

"This home is a timeless gift and a safe haven that will be passed down for generations."

This project was shortlisted for the International Design & Architecture Awards 2024

Read more about this project in the August/September 2024 digital and print issue of Design NJ Magazine