The Summer I Turned Pretty House: 7 Shocking Facts About The Real-Life Cousins Beach Mansion
Since the debut of The Summer I Turned Pretty, the true star of the show has arguably been the breathtaking, sun-drenched beach house where Belly, Conrad, and Jeremiah spend their formative summers. As of December 2025, the fascination with this idyllic location remains as high as ever, with fans constantly searching for the real-life address of the Cousins Beach mansion. The house, which serves as the emotional anchor for the entire series, perfectly encapsulates the nostalgic, bittersweet feeling of a perfect summer vacation.
This article dives deep into the reality behind the fantasy, uncovering the exact location, the surprising truth about its availability, and the specific interior design secrets that make the Fisher family's home feel so magical and aspirational. Prepare to have your perception of Cousins Beach completely changed as we reveal the facts about this iconic piece of television real estate.
The Fisher Family Beach House: A Biographical Profile
The iconic house in The Summer I Turned Pretty, affectionately known as the Cousins Beach house, is a central character in the series, representing a sanctuary of shared history, first loves, and enduring friendship. While the fictional setting is a quaint New England town reminiscent of Cape Cod, the actual structure is located hundreds of miles away.
- Official Name: The Fisher Family Beach House (on-screen).
- Fictional Setting: Cousins Beach, a fictional seaside town, implied to be in Massachusetts or the Hamptons.
- Real-Life Location: Wilmington, North Carolina.
- Specific Address Detail: The house is situated within the exclusive, gated community of Porters Neck Plantation.
- Architectural Vibe: Classic, shingled beach estate that blends traditional New England charm with relaxed coastal living.
- Set Decorator: Beth Robinson, who masterfully created the "beachy meets classic estate" aesthetic.
- Status: It is a private residence and is not a rental property or tourist destination.
The decision to film in Wilmington, North Carolina, was deliberate. The area, including nearby beaches like Carolina Beach and Kure Beach, offered the perfect blend of East Coast charm and production accessibility, allowing the show to create the fictional world of Cousins Beach convincingly.
Interior Secrets: How the Set Decorator Created the Perfect Coastal Aesthetic
The interior of the Fisher house is just as famous as its exterior. It’s a masterclass in coastal design, avoiding clichés while creating a space that feels lived-in, luxurious, and full of memories. Set decorator Beth Robinson achieved this by focusing on a specific blend of elements.
1. The "Beachy Meets Classic" Style
The design philosophy centered on balancing a relaxed, summery feel with traditional, high-quality furnishings. This is most evident in the common areas, where slipcovered furniture meets antique-looking pieces, giving the home a timeless, inherited quality.
2. The Iconic Kitchen
The kitchen, a frequent backdrop for Belly, Jeremiah, and Conrad's late-night talks, is a highlight. It features smooth, medium-tone wood floors that add warmth, a light backsplash, and a large central island. The details are simple but elegant, creating a space that is both functional for a large family and aesthetically pleasing.
3. Rattan and Natural Textures
To infuse the quintessential beach house vibe, the decorator heavily utilized natural textures. Rattan decor, weathered wood stools, and woven accessories are seen throughout the house, from the living room to the bedrooms. This choice instantly evokes a relaxed, seaside atmosphere.
4. The Color Palette: Coastal Design Colors
The walls and main furniture pieces stick to a light, airy palette of whites, creams, and soft neutrals. Color is introduced through decor accents—think deep coastal blues, seafoam greens, and subtle brass details, such as the brass pendant light over the kitchen island, which provides character and a touch of sophistication.
The combination of these design choices ensures that the house feels less like a sterile rental and more like the beloved, generational summer home of the Fisher family, complete with the subtle wear and tear of decades of happy memories.
Cousins Beach Is Not Real: Uncovering the True Filming Locations
While the Fisher house is the main attraction, the entire fictional town of Cousins Beach is a tapestry woven from several real-life locations in and around Wilmington, North Carolina. Fans looking to visit the "Cousins" experience can tour these spots, though they won't find the exact town name on any map.
The Real-Life Cousins Beach Shorelines
The expansive, beautiful beach scenes where Belly Conklin and the Fisher brothers spend their days were shot across three main beaches:
- Wrightsville Beach: Known for its pristine waters and vibrant community, this location provided many of the general beach shots.
- Carolina Beach: This area was used for various exterior shots that needed a classic, East Coast boardwalk feel.
- Kure Beach: Offering a slightly more rugged, natural look, Kure Beach contributed to the diverse coastal backdrop of the series.
Key Locations and Local Entities Used for Filming
To flesh out the town of Cousins, the production team utilized several specific local businesses and landmarks, integrating them seamlessly into the fictional narrative:
- The Country Club: The elegant Carolina Yacht Club was used as the setting for the debutante ball and various social events, embodying the high-society aspect of Cousins Beach.
- Downtown Scenes: The walkable downtown area of Wilmington stood in for the quaint town square, complete with shops and local businesses.
- The Book Store: The "Whale of a Tale" book signing scene was filmed at a real-life Wilmington shop called Papercut Books, located right downtown.
- Airlie Gardens: This stunning, historic garden provided the lush, green backdrop for several outdoor, non-beach scenes, adding to the picturesque quality of the setting.
Can You Rent or Buy The Summer I Turned Pretty House?
This is the question on every fan's mind, and the answer, unfortunately, is a firm no. The dream of spending a summer in the actual Fisher family beach house remains just that—a dream.
The house is a private residence, not a commercial property. It is located within the Porters Neck Plantation, a private, gated golf course community, which restricts public access and ensures the privacy of the homeowners. This means you cannot rent it on platforms like Airbnb or VRBO, nor is it currently listed for sale.
However, the enduring popularity of the series has led to an increase in available rental properties in the Wilmington, North Carolina area and the surrounding beaches that offer a similar "Cousins Beach" aesthetic. Fans can still capture the essence of the show by renting a comparable coastal home in communities like Waterstone, which share the same idyllic coastal environment as the fictional setting.
Ultimately, the Fisher house is more than just a structure; it's a symbol of summer, a tangible representation of Belly's emotional journey, and a testament to the power of set design to transport an audience. While you can't walk through its doors, the spirit of the house—and the perfect, sun-drenched summer it represents—lives on in the series and the real-life North Carolina locations that brought it to life.
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