More
- Classifieds
- Cars
- Deals
- Real Estate
- Rentals
- Photos
- Blogs

In the News

A Bethany beach house reshaped for future generations

Washington designer Erica Burns renovated and redecorated her in-laws’ Bethany beach house. The family, now three generations, can now enjoy the house more.

5 Seconds

00:00

00:00

The living room in the Burns’s beach house in Bethany by designer Erica Burns. From left, Kevin Burns, Erica Burns, Elle Burns, Ryan Burns, Duck (Labrador retriever), Kate Coleman, Lindsey Coleman, Joe Coleman, Nancy Burns and Riley (Goldendoodle dog).

Andrew Hensler / For The Washington Post

Exterior of the Burns’s beach house in Bethany, by designer Erica Burns. After finding water damage under the original cedar siding, Erica Burns replaced it with cement board plank.

Exterior of the Burns’s beach house in Bethany, by designer Erica Burns. After finding water damage under the original cedar siding, Erica Burns replaced it with cement board plank.

Andrew Hensler / For The Washington Post

The Burns’s beach house in Bethany has an open, airy feeling that serves large groups well.

The Burns’s beach house in Bethany has an open, airy feeling that serves large groups well.

Andrew Hensler / For The Washington Post

One of the bedrooms has a subtle beachy theme.

One of the bedrooms has a subtle beachy theme.

Andrew Hensler / For The Washington Post

A 'before' shot of the master bathroom at the Burns family's Bethany beach house. Erica Burns redesigned the space.

A "before" shot of the master bathroom at the Burns family's Bethany beach house. Erica Burns redesigned the space.

Erica Burns

A “before” shot of the master bathroom at the Burns family’s Bethany beach house. The monster Jacuzzi tub is so 1990s and nobody used it.

A “before” shot of the master bathroom at the Burns family’s Bethany beach house. The monster Jacuzzi tub is so 1990s and nobody used it.

Erica Burns

The 'after' shot of the master bathroom in the Burns’s house in Bethany by designer Erica Burns. Note the enlarged double vanity.

The "after" shot of the master bathroom in the Burns’s house in Bethany by designer Erica Burns. Note the enlarged double vanity.

Andrew Hensler / For The Washington Post

Detail of towel hooks in the Burns’s beach house in Bethany. Erica Burns devised a chalkboard system to keep track of towels.

Detail of towel hooks in the Burns’s beach house in Bethany. Erica Burns devised a chalkboard system to keep track of towels.

Andrew Hensler / For The Washington Post

Nancy Burns wanted an all-white kitchen for her Bethany beach house, so designer Erica Burns searched out a white granite for the counters.

Nancy Burns wanted an all-white kitchen for her Bethany beach house, so designer Erica Burns searched out a white granite for the counters.

Andrew Hensler / For The Washington Post

A 'before' shot of the living room, dining room and kitchen at the Burns family's Bethany beach house. Erica Burns updated and redecorated the spaces.

A "before" shot of the living room, dining room and kitchen at the Burns family's Bethany beach house. Erica Burns updated and redecorated the spaces.

Erica Burns

The Burns family at the dining table in Bethany. From left, Kate Coleman, Joe Coleman, Lindsey Coleman, Kevin Burns, Nancy Burns, Ryan Burns, Erica Burns and Elle Burns.

The Burns family at the dining table in Bethany. From left, Kate Coleman, Joe Coleman, Lindsey Coleman, Kevin Burns, Nancy Burns, Ryan Burns, Erica Burns and Elle Burns.

Andrew Hensler / For The Washington Post

A woven Pottery Barn wing chair adds casual style to the living room of Kevin and Nancy Burns's Bethany beach house.

A woven Pottery Barn wing chair adds casual style to the living room of Kevin and Nancy Burns's Bethany beach house.

Andrew Hensler / For The Washington Post

A 'before' shot of the living room at the Burns family's Bethany beach house. Erica Burns knew the bold blue sofas had to go and the fireplace needed to be redesigned. The Palladian windows were replaced with more contemporary styles.

A "before" shot of the living room at the Burns family's Bethany beach house. Erica Burns knew the bold blue sofas had to go and the fireplace needed to be redesigned. The Palladian windows were replaced with more contemporary styles.

Erica Burns

The living room is a popular place for the family to hang out. The white slipcovered sofas are a new look.

The living room is a popular place for the family to hang out. The white slipcovered sofas are a new look.

Andrew Hensler / For The Washington Post

Washington designer Erica Burns remodeled and designed her in-laws' beach house in Bethany.

Washington designer Erica Burns remodeled and designed her in-laws' beach house in Bethany.

Andrew Hensler / For The Washington Post

Sun deck at the Burns’s beach house in Bethany, designed by Erica Burns.

Sun deck at the Burns’s beach house in Bethany, designed by Erica Burns.

Andrew Hensler / For The Washington Post

Back to gallery

Discussion Policy | FAQ | About Discussions

Loading...

Comments

Add your comment

Read what others are saying About Badges

SuperFan Badge

SuperFan badge holders consistently post smart, timely comments about Washington area sports and teams.

More about badges | Request a badge

Culture Connoisseur Badge

Culture Connoisseurs consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on the arts, lifestyle and entertainment.

More about badges | Request a badge

Fact Checker Badge

Fact Checkers contribute questions, information and facts to The Fact Checker.

More about badges | Request a badge

Washingtologist Badge

Washingtologists consistently post thought-provoking, timely comments on events, communities, and trends in the Washington area.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Writer Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post editor, reporter or producer.

Post Forum Badge

Post Forum members consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on politics, national and international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Weather Watcher Badge

Weather Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on climates and forecasts.

More about badges | Request a badge

World Watcher Badge

World Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Contributor Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post contributor. Post contributors aren’t staff, but may write articles or columns. In some cases, contributors are sources or experts quoted in a story.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Recommended

Washington Post reporters or editors recommend this comment or reader post.

You must be logged in to report a comment.

Comments our editors find particularly useful or relevant are displayed in Top Comments, as are comments by users with these badges: . Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers.

All comments are posted in the All Comments tab.

More about badges

Get a badge

To pause and restart automatic updates, click "Live" or "Paused". If paused, you'll be notified of the number of additional comments that have come in.

Comments our editors find particularly useful or relevant are displayed in Top Comments, as are comments by users with these badges: . Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers.