One may recognize Marnie Oursler’s name from her DIY Network series, Big Beach Builds, that ran for a couple seasons several years ago. Now Oursler and her team at Marnie Custom Homes, www.marniehomes.com, are busy building, on average, 10 beach homes a year along the Atlantic Coast, mostly in Bethany Beach, Delaware. Just named the 2025 Custom Home Builder of the Year in Delaware and Sussex County by the Home Builders Association of Delaware (HBAD), Marnie Custom Homes also won an additional 10 HBAD 2025 Regal Awards, 12 total, for their homes and team, including Oursler winning Designer of the Year.
A recent custom home they designed and built is Family Tides, which, at more than 10,000 square feet on four levels with 10 bedrooms and 13 bathrooms, is the ultimate in North Bethany Beach living. Dual kitchen islands sporting steely gray and white oak finishes, as well as abundant perimeter cabinetry in white and white oak, set the tone for the main floor. Open and airy, the kitchen combines porcelain and quartz counters with a custom walnut counter that doubles as a table. A marble backsplash, ceiling beams, and a detailed hood round out the amenities in this true cook’s kitchen.
A wood-burning fireplace in the great room creates a cozy setting in the colder months, while remote-controlled screens on the wall-to-wall doors on the ocean side allow the owners and guests to take in the sea breezes all year-round. A screened porch and open decks provide multiple locations to relax and enjoy the view. If work beckons, a desk off the kitchen provides a tucked-away spot to answer emails and make calls before heading to the beach.
Each of the 10 bedrooms has its own bathroom, including an indoor/outdoor shower in the primary bath. A custom nameplate featuring a beach-themed moniker marks the entrance to each suite. One of Marnie Custom Homes’ signature elements is a bunk room with drawer storage built into the steps, as seen in this soft blue and white bunk room. Bathroom tiles in fun, colorful patterns and textures elevate and personalize each bath.
Additional special amenities abound in this custom home, such as an under-stair playhouse, pet feeding station in the butler’s pantry, dog washing station in the beach prep room – another signature Marnie Custom Homes element, fishing rod holders in the ceiling above the ground-level staircase, double swings off the dune-side deck, and a lower-level outdoor bar. Wallpaper in shades of the sea accent built-ins and spaces throughout the home.
Because most of Marnie Custom Homes are located on or near a waterway, there are strict regulations to adhere to, including reinforcing the homes to withstand hurricane-force winds, as well as possible flooding. Building with high-quality materials and precise techniques, such as using steel framing, ensure that the homes are safe and sound. Oursler built the first LEED-certified home in Delaware with sustainability in materials, appliances, and more always top of mind. Oursler was also named the 2022 Custom Home Builder of the Year by the National Association of Home Builders, the first recognition for a woman and for the state of Delaware.
To see more images of Family Tides as well as a video home tour, visit https://www.marniehomes.com/showcase/family-tides/.
