Julie Spence Topsail Beach

07/25/2026

Not every renovation happens all at once.

Every project has a budget, and every budget requires priorities.

For me, one decision was easy.

The oceanfront deck came before curb appeal.

I knew guests would spend their mornings with coffee watching the sunrise and their evenings listening to the waves. That experience mattered more to me than landscaping or a perfectly polished front entrance.

The front of the cottage still has its turn coming—that’s Phase 2.

But I’d rather invest first in the spaces where memories are made.

If you were renovating, where would you spend your budget first—the first impression or the everyday experience?

07/21/2026

One of the first things I knew about this house had nothing to do with paint colors or furniture.

I wanted the people in the kitchen to feel like they were still part of the conversation.

Beach houses aren’t just places to sleep—they’re where families reconnect after long days in the sun, friends linger over dinner, and everyone somehow ends up in the same room.

That’s why I wanted the kitchen, dining area, and living room to flow together. It wasn’t just a design decision. It was about creating a space that felt welcoming and connected.

When your family gets together, where does everyone naturally end up?

07/18/2026

When I first started planning this kitchen, I knew I didn’t want it to feel like a brand-new beach house.

I wanted it to feel as though it had always belonged here.

One of the biggest design decisions was choosing handmade zellige tile for the backsplash. I loved that every tile is slightly different. Those subtle variations catch the light throughout the day and give the space warmth and character that perfectly uniform materials simply can’t replicate.

For me, the goal was never perfection. It was creating a kitchen that felt timeless, welcoming, and true to the personality of this little cottage.

I’d love to know…

Do you prefer perfectly uniform finishes, or do you like materials with a little character?

07/10/2026

The doors are open. 🌊

Boards & Breezes is officially welcoming guests in Topsail Beach.

This four-bedroom oceanfront cottage sleeps up to 10 and has the kind of beach-house setup I love most: direct beach access, room to gather, space to spread out, an oceanfront deck, outdoor showers, and restaurants, coffee and the Jolly Roger Pier within walking distance.

We wanted to create a place that feels comfortable the minute you walk through the door—a house for long beach days, sandy feet, dinners around the table and slow mornings with coffee.

If a Topsail Beach getaway is calling your name, the booking link is in my bio and Stories. 🤍

07/07/2026

The big transformations may get all the attention, but for me, a house really comes together in the details.

At Boards & Breezes, every choice was made with the same goal: to create a beach house that feels fresh and comfortable without losing the easy, collected character of an older Topsail cottage.

Natural stone, handmade tile, painted furniture, simple white bedding, vintage-inspired touches, and plenty of color—nothing too precious, and nothing that feels like it came from a “beach house” checklist.

The best spaces, to me, are the ones that feel like they belong exactly where they are. 🤍

07/05/2026

07/05/2026

I’ve been a little quiet here lately, but for good reason.

After months of plans, decisions, dust, surprises, long days and more than a few last-minute pivots, Boards & Breezes is finally finished.

My goal was never to make this little oceanfront cottage feel brand new. I wanted to give her new life while keeping the character and easy, unpretentious feeling of the Topsail Beach cottages I love.

There is so much more I want to share—the before and afters, the design decisions, the things that went exactly as planned and, of course, the things that did not. 😂

But for today, here she is. 🤍

Boards & Breezes is officially welcoming guests, and I’ll share more about that soon.

06/09/2026

Progress doesn’t always look dramatic.

Sometimes it looks like fresh decking, framing posts, and a view that reminds you exactly why the work is worth it.

This new oceanfront deck at Boards & Breezes is taking shape, creating outdoor living space that will connect directly to the dunes and the Atlantic beyond.

One of my favorite parts of any renovation is this stage—the moment when you can finally see the finished vision beginning to emerge.

There is still plenty to do, but we’re getting closer every week.

Coastal homes have a way of testing your patience, but they also reward it.

06/05/2026

Not every project happens behind a desk.

This past weekend was spent installing backsplash tile at our oceanfront cottage renovation.

There’s something satisfying about watching a space transform one row of tile at a time. The kitchen is finally beginning to feel like the vision we’ve had for it from the start—light, coastal, and simple.

Design isn’t always glamorous. Sometimes it’s measuring, cutting, adjusting, and cleaning up dust at the end of a long day.

But those are often the days that create the biggest transformations.

Stay tuned—we’re getting close.

05/19/2026

Progress days are not always pretty, but they are where the vision starts to show.

Cabinets are going in, the main living space is coming back to life, and the shower prep is underway. This is the stage where every decision starts connecting — layout, light, finishes, function, and flow.

A little messy, but moving in the right direction.