7 Secrets Of The Summer I Turned Pretty House: Real Location, Design Magic, And Season 3 Filming Updates
The iconic beach house at Cousins Beach is more than just a backdrop for Belly, Conrad, and Jeremiah’s complicated love triangle; it is a central character in The Summer I Turned Pretty. This sprawling, idyllic Cape Cod-style residence, where Belly Conklin spends her transformative summers, has captured the imagination of millions, making it one of the most searched-for homes in recent television history. As of late December 2025, fans are still desperate to know the real-life secrets behind this fictional haven.
The allure of the Fisher family’s summer home lies in its perfect blend of aspirational coastal living and cozy, nostalgic charm. While the fictional town of Cousins Beach is a dream location created by author Jenny Han, the house itself is very real, situated in a surprisingly exclusive and private locale, with its interior design meticulously crafted to evoke that perfect, sun-drenched summer feeling.
The Real-Life Location and Exclusive Filming Secrets
The most burning question for any dedicated fan is: where exactly is the Cousins Beach house located? While the show places the action in the fictional Cousins Beach, the actual filming takes place in the picturesque coastal region of Wilmington, North Carolina.
- The Exterior Home: The stunning exterior of the Fisher family beach house is a genuine private residence. It is located within an exclusive, private, and gated community near Wilmington, North Carolina. Specific locations cited include Porters Neck Plantation and Figure Eight Island, both known for their beautiful, upscale coastal properties.
- The Gated Community: Due to its location in a private, gated golf course community, the house is not accessible to the general public or tourists. This exclusivity helps maintain the illusion of a secluded, timeless summer escape.
- Interior vs. Exterior: A crucial secret to the house’s look is that only the exterior shots are filmed at the real private residence. All of the beloved interior scenes—from the kitchen to the bedrooms where Belly, Conrad, and Jeremiah spend their summers—are meticulously recreated and filmed on soundstages at Screen Gems Studio in Wilmington, North Carolina.
- Other Cousins Beach Spots: Many of the other "Cousins Beach" locations are also real spots in and around Wilmington, including popular beaches like Fort Fisher, Kure Beach, Carolina Beach, and Wrightsville Beach.
This separation between the exterior and interior allows the production team maximum control over the set design, ensuring the interior perfectly captures the nostalgic, lived-in feel essential to the series' atmosphere.
Deconstructing the Coastal Interior Design: How to Get the ‘TSITP’ Look
The interior of the beach house, overseen by set decorator Beth Robinson, is a masterclass in coastal interior design. It perfectly balances the idea of a relaxed beach home with the traditional elegance of a classic family estate, avoiding the clichés of typical seaside decor.
1. The Cape Cod Aesthetic and Color Palette
The design successfully nails a timeless Cape Cod aesthetic, which is traditional yet unfussy. The color palette is the foundation of this look.
- Coastal Neutrals: The main walls and furniture are kept in soft, airy neutrals—whites, creams, and pale grays—mimicking the sand and clouds.
- Pops of Blue: The signature color is a range of blues, from deep navy and cobalt (like the kitchen island) to softer sky and seafoam blues, which instantly evoke the ocean.
- Nautical Accents: Subtle nautical touches, like rope accents, striped patterns, and brass hardware (especially in the kitchen), reinforce the maritime theme without being overpowering.
2. Texture and Layering: Avoiding the Cliché
What makes the house feel so authentic is the use of texture and the sense of history that permeates the decor.
- Rattan and Wicker: Rattan furniture and wicker decor pieces are heavily utilized, especially in sunrooms and porches, adding a natural, breezy texture.
- Weathered Wood and Patina: Instead of new, shiny pieces, the decor features weathered wood stools, aged brass pendant lights, and pieces with a visible patina. This suggests the items have been collected and loved by the Fisher family (Susannah Fisher and Laurel Park) over many summers.
- Romantic Florals: A key entity in the decor is the use of fresh flowers, particularly large arrangements of hydrangeas, which add a romantic, classic summer garden feel to the spaces.
- Books and Art: The house is filled with books and personal art, making it feel like a truly lived-in family home, not just a rental. This attention to detail contributes significantly to the show's overall topical authority on summer nostalgia.
Updates on Season 3 Filming Locations and the House’s Future
As fans eagerly await the final season, the location of the beach house and other filming spots remains a hot topic, especially since the third book, We'll Always Have Summer, introduces significant changes to Belly's world. The production for Season 3 continues to utilize the Wilmington, NC area to bring Cousins Beach to life.
- Wilmington’s Continued Role: The greater Wilmington area is confirmed to be the primary setting for the final installment of the series, ensuring the beach house and its surroundings look familiar.
- New Locations: Viewers can expect to see new real-life locations featured, such as Bespoke, a coffee shop in downtown Wilmington, which served as the backdrop for a pivotal scene between Belly and Taylor.
- The Paris Connection: While most of the action takes place in Cousins Beach, the final episodes of the series, which follow the events of the third book, were partially shot in Paris, France. This suggests a major emotional turning point for Belly Conklin as she seeks to regroup and heal away from the familiar confines of the beach house and the Fisher brothers, Conrad Fisher and Jeremiah Fisher.
- The House's Fate: Without revealing major spoilers from Jenny Han's book, the beach house itself faces an uncertain future in the narrative of the final season. Its potential loss or change of ownership is a significant emotional entity that drives much of the drama and nostalgia for the characters, making the house's presence—or absence—a key plot point.
The enduring popularity of The Summer I Turned Pretty is intrinsically linked to the perfect escape offered by the Cousins Beach house. It is a symbol of childhood friendship, first love, and the bittersweet passage of time. While you can't book a stay at the real private residence on Figure Eight Island, the detailed coastal design provides a wealth of inspiration for bringing that perfect, sun-drenched summer vibe into your own home, making the magic of the Fisher family's world accessible to everyone.
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