Young House Love

Home Decorating & DIY Tutorials

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A Beach Vacation To Duck

What’s the perfect cure to a paint and primer hangover? A trip to the beach. And what’s the perfect way to spend your fourth wedding anniversary (yup, today’s the big day)? Why sharing those beach photos of course (since we’ve pretty much covered our wedding/anniversary stuff in the last three years of Wedding Week). Off we go…

Clara Smiles On Beach

In honor of the long holiday weekend, we said goodbye to our freshly grellow-ed kitchen and hello to sand and sun thanks to a little road trip to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. We usually do the beach thing in Delaware at my parents’ place, but since my siblings, cousins, and I insist on having babies and expanding the family (the nerve) we’ve outgrown it a bit. So instead we all pitched in to rent a place in Duck, NC where all 21 of us – which included five kids under the age of two! – could clock some nice family R & R. Well, as much as you can clock with five babies around…

Beach Sea Light House

Even if rest was limited, fun certainly was not. Clara and the beach continue to become BFFs – she was equally happy in the sand and the surf, which made her water-lovin’ mom and dad very happy. We found a sandbar that kept the waves calm and the water shallow enough for lots of time in the water (most of which was spent “jumping” waves and laughing hysterically).

Clara Fun At Beach

The house we rented also had its own private pool in the backyard (as did all of the homes on our street – which was really nice) so there was lots of calm water play going on away from the beach too. Clara has recently learned to say the word “ball” so she was thrilled when my aunt supplied a huge bag of them to hoard play with in the pool. They seriously are her new most favorite things in the world.

Beach Clara Pool

Except for some crazy humidity, the weather was generally great the whole time. And we used the only overcast day as an excuse to visit the Wright Brother’s Memorial in Kitty Hawk. It was surprisingly fascinating to walk around the grounds where the first flight actually took place (even for two non-aviation buffs like ourselves). There’s Sherry sitting on a stone to mark where the first flight ended after just 12 seconds and 120 feet (the stones behind it mark three other flights that day, the last and furthest being 852 feet and 59 seconds long).

Oh, and there I am standing in front of part of the monument that seemed, well, fitting. Just look at my smarty pants pose.

Beach Wright Monument1

And did you notice the ball that Clara was holding in the pic above? Yeah, it’s a bit of a theme this trip. She extended her new found love of spherical objects to balloons as well. My sister Emily and my cousin’s daughter Elsa celebrated a shared birthday during our trip, so Clara broke out her party dress and went absolutely bonkers watching the balloons float around while grandparents and aunts and cousins looked on. We have about twelve more photos just like this.

Beach Clara Balloons

If you’re still itching for more beach photos, we’ve got a bunch more on Flickr. And while we secretly hoped our beach house would be worthy of a House Crashing post (like these), it was sadly pretty generic. And understandably so (since not-too-precious rental decor seems to make the most sense – especially when 5 babies and 16 older kids/adults come flooding in and make themselves comfortable). But one design choice that did catch our eye was this fun shaker shingle treatment in the interior stairwell:

Beach Shingle Hallway

It mimicked the shaker shingles on the exterior of the house and served as sort of a beachy twist on wainscoting. Probably not a look that we could pull off in our own house, but it was right at home in this seaside setting:

Beach Shinge Hall Close

And since our beach house didn’t fulfill our design cravings for the trip, we headed out to troll some local thrift stores and home furnishing places while we were there. Let’s just say there were lots of things that we wanted to bring home… and then there was a giant curly haired bear nutcracker (we’ll be back with a post about those finds a little later on). For now we’ll leave you with the first photo of all four of us that we’ve ever taken. As in since Clara was born. Shame, shame, shame.

New%20family%20pic

Only took us 13.5 months to accomplish.

Anyway, has anyone else hightailed it out of town after a big slash tiring house project? Did you pick up any souvenirs for your home while you were gone? Did your kid develop a strange ball obsession while there? Did you finally take a family picture after waaay too long?

Comments

  1. Alison says

    It looks like you had a lot of fun! The in-law side of my family is thinking of doing the same thing next year since we have outgrown the NJ lake house. Do you know what company or real estate agency you went through? Or do you have any outerbanks recommendations? Thanks a bunch!

    Reply

  2. Franjessica says

    Happy Anniversary!

    I love vacation in OBX! My family has been going to the outerbanks every summer for 20 years. Usually we stay in Nags Head or South Nags Head but this summer my parents rented a house in Duck (for 3 weeks!)but I only get to go for a long weekend.

    They’re bringing my Maltese/chihuahua mix, Tex for the full three weeks so I’m curious about bringing Burger to the beach. I saw what you had to say about Burger in the house and I’m not worried about Tex having accidents- he’s only 2 but well trained. However I’m concerned about him overheating on the beach. How long did you keep Burger on the beach for? Was the sand too hot for his paws?

    I’d appreciate any doggie beach advice you have!

    -An overly concerned puppy mama- Francesca

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      We mostly brought him down in the evening after dinner when we’d go on ice cream walks (when the sand was cooler). During the day it was just too hot for him (and he’s so lazy, so he just ended up sleeping happily in his crate). Of course he came out whenever we came home for lunch slash diaper changes slash blog check-ins. Haha. We’re not very good at sitting on the beach for a long time.

      xo,
      s

  6. Teresa says

    It’s funny you mentioned the family photo. My sister and family were visiting over the holiday and we took each others’ family photos because neither of us had made one in years.

    Reply

  8. Kendra says

    I will be heading to OBX (Corolla) the first week in August. I did however stay in Duck last year. For some reason last year had the most bizarre population of spiders everywhere we went including our house! In all the many years I’ve gone there I never saw anything like it. How was the spider population while you were there? Did you notice any?

    Reply

  9. Rachie says

    Oh yay! We’re getting married one year today so we’re going to share your anniversary! Loving the blog as ever! Clara just gets cuter every day!
    Rachie xo

    Reply

  10. fd says

    What a gorgeous family photo! Such a beautiful family. I hope it gets a good spot in the home.

    Happy anniversary.

    Reply

  12. Jennifer says

    Happy Anniversary!
    You guys know the Outer Banks is special to me, but it would have been really wierd to run into you there as well as Richmond!?!
    Glad you had fun!!

    Reply

  13. Becky says

    love the family photo! It’s so nice to see color vs. the cliche all white clothes beach photo! You guys are adorable.

    Reply

  14. Audrey says

    Happy Anniversary!!! Clara has the CUTEST and happiest smile I have ever seen! Her smile makes me smile :D

    Reply

  15. Sarah says

    My inlaws have a beach house in Duck, but we aren’t going until later this summer! Sad! I would have been super blog-struck to have seen you guys. (They live on Bayberry Street, if you happened to see that street). Next time you will all have to go to Jockey’s Ridge – and maybe outlet shopping in Corolla :)

    Reply

  18. Lori @ Richmond, BABY! says

    Beautiful family photo and Happy Anniversary! :) I know exactly where the house is that you rented…too funny! We go to Duck every year and rent another house in that neighborhood. Did you go to The Blue Point? That’s my favorite restaurant EVER! I also heard that it is owned by the same people who own TJ’s here in Richmond…not sure if that’s true, but it’s a great place!

    Reply

  20. Nicole says

    Happy Anniversary!! What a beautiful family. I love pictures of Clara, she is one happy girl, love her. :)

    Reply

  21. Allison says

    We were just in that area a month ago and it is a beautiful place to visit! We made a day trip down (as a break from visiting the in-laws that was going on for the week) and would love to rent a house for a whole week trip sometime. Do you happen to know the rental company that you used to find that gorgeous house?

    Props to you guys for making that trek up to the Wright Memorial in what I am sure was much warmer (humid) weather than we had while there!

    Loving the family pic too, Sherry’s sweater is a gorgeous color! Looks kind of grellow?!

    Reply

  22. Georgia says

    Happy Anniversary! I’m actually living in OBX the whole summer, but about 45 minutes south of Duck, in Manteo. I’m performing in The Lost Colony, an outdoor drama that’s a huge tourist draw. Too bad you didn’t come see it. If you’re ever in the OBX again, you should venture a little further south an check it out. Although Clara might not be a fan of all the gunshots…

    Reply

  24. Julie says

    We vacationed on the OBX last week from 6/24 through 7/1. We stayed in a house on Corolla Beach, you can only get to it with a 4×4 vehicle. What fun, we saw lots of wild horses too which were beautiful. Sounds like you had fun.

    Reply

  25. Tanya says

    John and Sherry, Happy 4th Anniversary and many more to come! My hubby and I are celebrating our 27th today !

    Reply

  26. Katie says

    We love the Outer Banks too, and three years ago we stayed in that very same house! How crazy! Next year we might try finding a house in Corolla though since we need something larger, and they’re hard to find in Duck. Anyone have any suggestions?

    Reply

  27. shannon says

    yay for anniversaries! i hope you and john have a fabulous one and get to go on a sweet little date.

    and my goodness….she is such a cute and happy little girl. i love it!

    Reply

  28. Jackie Smith says

    We are escaping our WHOLE HOUSE REMODEL to go to our place in the Adirondacks in about 2 weeks! Hopefully, we will return motivated to complete the last of the to do list and move back in!

    Reply

  31. Wynnie says

    Happy Promises Day!

    Question for you. I have the same Pottery Barn rug that you have in your bedroom, accept mine is in my living room. I was wondering if yours sheds a lot? I have had mine for over a month now and it sheds like crazy!! It’s in a higher traffic area than a bedroom but I was wondering if yours did too. Thanks!

    XoXo
    Wynnie

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Ours was a clearanced floor model so I think it did it’s shedding in the store. It shedded a little at home but we vacuumed it a lot and it seemed to stop soon enough. Now it rarely needs a vacuum thanks to a few years of owning it!

      xo,
      s

  32. Olivia says

    Wow! what are the chances… I’m driving 16 hours on Saturday go from Ottawa, Ontaro to… Duck, North Carolina.

    Do you have any restaurants or activities that you recommend?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      We had fun at Waterside or Bayside Cantina (on the boardwalk). Yummy. Also had a good time getting homemade ice cream at Beach Day Cafe in Scarborough Lane (or something like that). Also did Karaoke at Fishbones. Hilarious!

      xo,
      s

  33. r8chel says

    I’m so glad you went back and color corrected that family photo after you initially posted it this morning. It’s lovely — especially when it’s not so blue! :)

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Thanks!!! It did initially look like we were in Antarctica or something, haha. A sweet reader actually did it for us and emailed a less blue one our way!

      xo,
      s

  36. Melissa says

    Great post! My husband and I are off to the beach (in Ontario, Canada) to take a much needed break from our on-going renovations. Sometimes, no matter where you are at in a project, you just can’t take it anymore!

    Thanks you two for providing so much DIY inspiration (Sherry, I’m signing up for a learn-to-sew course!). You’ve inspired me to share our on-going renovation saga with our community via a local blog and I get so excited whenever I receive a comment about how WE’VE inspired someone ELSE! it’s like your blog love just keeps on giving!!! Keep it up!

    Reply

  37. Minda McDorman says

    such a stinkin’ cute family picture! clara’s lil bottom toof is killing me with adorableness….

    p.s. is that sweater from banana? i think i have the exact same one and LOVE it!

    Reply

  38. Kristin H. says

    Sherry, do you have any siblings? I feel like I remember you saying you have a big fam also but am drawing a blank on the sibling-status. Anywho.. Happy anniversary!!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Oh yes, I grew up in a house of 7! There was me and my mom and my brother (Dan) and my two cousins who lived with us and were like brothers to me (David and Darius) along with my aunt and my mom’s boyfriend who all lived with us! Then there was my dad’s house where he and his wife and my half brother (Adam) lived. One big crazy but happy family! Haha. They all still live in NY and NJ, so it’s lots of fun to go up there and see them for the holidays and reunions and stuff! And sometimes my family makes the pilgrimage down to see us here in VA too. Clara loves hanging out with them!

      xo,
      s

  39. Marta says

    Clara is absolutely adorable! And you have a gorgeous looking family including Burger of course =) Love reading about your adventures!

    Reply

  41. Melanie says

    Your little girl is too much! So beautiful, so happy. I love the family photo. My daughter is 9 months old and I love seeing all the things that excite Clara, it’s like a preview (hopefully) of what my daughter might like. I LOVE your blog, but I think the Clara photos might be my favorite part!!

    Reply

  44. Kelsey Keefe says

    Okay that picture at the end of the four of you made my heart squeal. You are an attractive lot, aren’t you? geez.

    Happy Anniversary!

    Reply

  45. Sherri says

    Love the good-looking family photo. Clara is such a happy girl. Her name could be “Joy.” You can see she has a joyful spirit. You are blessed!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      I totally agree! Sometimes I think Joy or Grace should have been her middle name. Or Silly Goose. She’s just the best. But I’m a little biased…

      xo,
      s

  46. Ann says

    Happy Anniversary! Clara & Burger crack me up. Your family photo is awesome, you all are sooo photogenic. Burger is a rock star.

    Reply

  47. Lacey says

    Thank goodness the first family photo is a good one! Y’all are just too cute! I love keeping up with your decorating/remodeling happenings.

    Reply

  48. Belinda says

    The family picture is lovely! My 14 month old nephew has a serious ball obsession. It was his first real word (other than dada and mama). He literally spends practically all day (when not napping or eating) throwing and toddling after a ball. It is a strange fascination, but he loves it!

    Reply

  50. January says

    first and most important I HEART this blog!!!! WE have been in our second home for about 4 years and had done some important upgrades pre-blog(windows AKA boring) but have now been spurred on by your posts (seriously just did a major DIY kitchen and took care of some MUCH needed ugly wood paneling, umm hello paint) and I have you all to thank. We have 4 little boys ages 6, 4 1/2, 3 and 1,so we are busy but doing home improvements are so fun! WE love OBX- will be there in Aug and are from Richmond too. Thanks for being so fun and motivating!!! Oh- and FAN-FREAKIN-TASTIC job on the kitchen- what a difference~

    Reply

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