This sweet southern beach house, set on Tybee Island in Georgia, wasn't always the cheery home that it is now. When designers Joel and Erika Snayd of Rethink Design Studio first visited, it was a 1,100-square-foot cinderblock structure. "We were scared to death when we first saw the house," says Erika. "Everything was cement and cold, like a bunker."

The house is owned by three sisters; their grandfather built it in the 1940s. Because he had built it personally, the sisters were hesitant to do a full rebuild and initially just wanted to add a new bedroom and bathroom. But the Snayds and their team were able to convince them to start all over. By getting creative with materials and using family mementos, Rethink Design Studio was able to create a cozy and comfortable summer home for the family on a budget.

Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: 3 sisters and their families during the summer
Location: Tybee Island, Georgia
Size: 2,400 square feet
That's interesting: To preserve a palm tree that the grandfather had originally planted on the property, the tree was removed and then replanted after construction.

20 Spectacular Beach Houses | Browse beach house photos

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The original cinderblock structure consisted of tiny bedrooms and no open spaces. The Snayds wanted to give the home a more modern feel but also bring in elements that would highlight its history and make it timeless. Clapboard siding and a light color palette gave the new home a fresh look.

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The design team was inspired by traditional beachfront architecture from the 1940s. "We wanted to take that home and elevate it to a level in a new build that it was meant to be," Joel says.

Originally, the site had no landscaping at all. The team transformed the barren lot into a lush lawn, preserving a palm tree that the sisters' grandfather had originally planted in the yard. A side lot was turned into a yard with a fieldstone paver patio.

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The team had to maximize the footprint of the house almost to the edge of the small site to gain more square footage. Since there wasn't a ton of room for landscaping, they added in a sizable screened front porch — a must in mosquito-laden Georgia.

Outdoor furniture: vintage, reupholstered with Sunbrella and Trina Turk for Schumacher fabric

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The new structure takes full advantage of natural light. The ceilings were lifted to 10 feet on the first floor and 14 feet on the second — a change that made a big difference in the home's feel.

The budget for both the interior and the exterior design was limited, so the team had to get creative when it came to style. Luckily, the homeowners gave them almost free rein. Their one specific demand was that the walls be covered in white boards. The walls in the open living room, dining room and kitchen are made of horizontal 1-inch-by-10-inch butt joint paneling.

Rug: GDC Home; couch: Hickory Chair; pillows: Thomas Paul for Duralee, Schumacher

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Function and ambiance were the biggest priorities. An open kitchen, dining and living space made the most sense for this vacation home. Although this isn't a full-time residence, the team had to design for large numbers of people, since multiple families stay here at once.

Open shelving in the kitchen keeps it casual and bright, while slate tile floors are both durable and stylish. The kitchen cabinets were done in a simple Shaker style and painted to match the marble countertops. The Cooper and white milk glass ceiling fixtures in the kitchen were salvaged from an old saloon. The light above the dining room table is from Circa Lighting; Joel had the trim and hood painted powder blue to give it a vintage look.

Table: Hickory Chair; chairs: Crate and Barrel

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The loft area upstairs is completely open, which not only creates a communal space but also saved money on framing. "This home isn't about walls and constraints; it's about being communal and together as a family," says Joel. Instead of walls, curtains from Pottery Barn were hung from iron curtain rods with rope. The flooring material in the loft is painted porch-grade hardwood, which also cut down on cost.

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Although the sisters were initially hesitant about the loft area, it's now an integral part of their vacation home. "When you have a custom home, it evolves and continues to evolve. It's organic by nature," says Joel.

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Flea markets and garage sales were scoured for affordable but quality pieces, and simple furniture from big-box stores filled in the blanks. "In a beach house, you can get away with more," says Joel. Twin beds allow for more sleeping space — this upstairs area can sleep four to six. The yellow headboards are actually outdoor floor cushions with handles that can be taken down and used for extra seating when needed.

Bedding: Amy Butler; baskets: World Market; rug: West Elm kilim; nightstand: refurbished vintage

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Cane furniture in the loft's living room creates a cozy sitting space where the family often spends mornings. Some of the furniture and accessories came from the sisters' elderly mother, who passed away during the project; they add a personal element the sisters love.

Rug: GDC Home; coffee table, cane chairs and console: refurbished vintage

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A vintage desk set got a makeover with bold yellow paint and glass drawer pulls, making the perfect vanity for the upstairs bathroom. Classic subway tile and simple sconces keep the space light, bright and functional.

Knobs: Pinch of the Past; chair cushion: Sunbrella; sconces: Circa Lighting

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All the bedrooms are paneled with batten strips in a classic coastal style. Joel applied pine strips directly to the sheetrock as an inexpensive way to get the look the sisters wanted. Simple dressers were accented with sea-green hardware, a simple and affordable touch that feels high end.

Bedding: vintage and West Elm; side table and bed frame: vintage

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Because so much of this home is about family, Joel and Erika wanted to pay tribute to its roots. Sentimental touches are visible all throughout the house — quilts that the sisters' mother made are folded carefully in cabinets, family art is framed on the walls, and photographs of the sisters when they were younger were blown up and hung in the dining room.

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