Get ready for a post filled with beach house exteriors that will make you want to pack up and head to North Carolina. This place is what Nicholas Sparks novels are made of, ha! But seriously. During our vacation at Carolina Beach, we stayed in a modern shipping container, but there was certainly no shortage of beautiful beach cottages to admire. I crushed hard on some of these exteriors…
I had never been to this beach or area before. I only selected this location because we had a few days to kill before heading to Charlotte and I found an airbnb I couldn’t pass up. I’d describe Carolina Beach as quiet, quaint, and pretty charming. It’s located just outside of Wilmington. The streets are lined with nautical toned beach houses, milky pastels, and plenty of plantation shutters!
The weather sort of cooperated… we had a couple good days and a could bad days, but I really don’t mind a good thunderstorm or rain at the beach. Call me crazy, but the moody color palette and churning ocean sort of sings to me.
One of my favorite home exteriors was this modern white and aqua beach house. It felt a bit more contemporary than some of the other homes.
I noticed a lot of intentional symmetry within these home designs, which makes everything feel perfectly balanced. I must be on a light blue kick… lately I’ve been so attracted to this hue.
Another architectural trend I continually spotted- spiral staircases leading up to the roof or top terrace. Almost every beach house had one, and why not?! They’re such a fun detail!
I try to imagine the interior of these spaces, because I have no doubt they are just as stunning on the inside.
Overall, it was a nice little getaway. I always enjoy exploring new places (especially when they’re so beautiful)! Do you guys have any fun trips planned this summer?
I promise this is the last beach post in a longggg time. But in the rare chance you’re not sick of them yet… I featured a mod beach cottage “get the look” on coco+kelley earlier this week. Hope you guys are having a good week- halfway to the weekend!!
Bianca Davila
May 26, 2016 at 12:24 pmHey Sarah! Found your blog through an Instagram post you liked of mine! Love your home and your blog design (and posts) are perfection! I am always struggling for original content it’s nice to be inspired by bloggers like you!
XO
Bianca
Sarah
May 26, 2016 at 12:51 pmThank you so much Bianca!! You made my day ;) xo
Danielle
June 21, 2019 at 1:49 pmI’m here from your 10 Summer Posts blog and am now also hoping that you renovate a beach house one day!
Sarah
June 21, 2019 at 4:12 pmThat is my BIGGEST dream. Someday it has to happen!
Wendy Allen
May 5, 2022 at 2:41 pmHi Sarah!
I love the white and aqua-shuttered house! Do you recall the street address? We’re working on the exterior elevation for our house plan and would like to drive by this property. We live 1.5 from Carolina Beach so it would be an easy day trip. :)
Sarah
May 8, 2022 at 5:01 pmI don’t, I’m sorry Wendy! It has been a long while since this trip. It was a beautiful area though!