Hey y’all… yesterday, Julia, over at Hooked on Houses, featured the 2010 Coastal Living Idea House and I am not a fan. I think that it is much too bland, the courtyard (outdoor living space) is in-between the house and garage and has no view (and the house has a wonderful view that should be taken advantage of)… among other complaints.
In reviewing the Idea House I was reminded of last year’s version which I liked much better. I don’t think I’ve done a piece reviewing the house so I’m posting it here for your viewing pleasure.
The 2009 Coastal Living Idea House was built at Seawatch in Sunset Harbor, North Carolina. I’m including some of my favorite photos but please visit the site for more information. I think they were very creative and have some wonderful ideas you can incorporate into any home you design.
The Kitchen
Tall Shutters: Brass chicken wire backed with gathered plaid fabric (right) give this nook between the kitchen and dining room a vintage feel.
Cheap-chic Lighting: Phillip had inexpensive candle lanterns wired, backed with mirrors, and mounted as wall sconces on either side of the kitchen window.
The Screened Porch
Classic Wicker: A beach must-have takes a sophisticated turn with a streamlined silhouette.
Rope Accessories: One standout piece, like this oval lantern, is all you need to get instant coastal style.
Gauzy Curtains: Their sheer weight filters harsh sunlight and adds elegance to the casual space.
The Master Suite
Fabulous Greens and Grays: Phillip fell for the leaf-print fabric used on the windows, and built the room’s bold but still soothing chartreuse and gray scheme from there.
Cabana-striped Walls: Who says they’re just for awnings and umbrellas? Here, they tie together the various fabrics.
The Guest Room
Eco-chic Rug: With wide stripes, super-soft ribbing, and 50% recycled content, this indoor/outdoor rug is both good-looking and good for the environment.
Alcove Headboard: The low-slung silhouette runs the entire length of the window.
Antique-y Sconces: In the narrow space between the bed and wall, Phillip mounted lights on the headboard―wires run to outlets behind it―and he used footstools as a landing spot for books.
The Rec Room
Cheery Wall Color: This high-energy green (Betsy Ross House Moss [6005-3C] by Valspar) isn’t used anywhere else in the room, but it works because the orange and yellow in the space are just as punchy.
Flowery Curtains: Big rooms call for big-scale prints.
Those huge Wooden Spheres: Like bocce balls for giants, they’re whimsical accessories in a room dedicated to fun and games.
The Guest Suite
The Blue/Green Combo: It’s an amped-up version of the palette in the coverlet.
Pretty Botanicals: The organic floral print on the bed is a subtle reference to the natural coastal landscape.
The Bamboo Bed: Its horizontal planking is a clean, modern take on the traditional four-poster.
About the House
Style: Gambrel roofs and cedar-shake shingle siding speak to the Cape Cod-inspired look.
“This house blends traditional Cape and coastal North Carolina elements, from the shingled siding to the widow’s watch on top.” — Sam Guidry, Director of Architecture
The Seawatch Style Guide gives you a ton of details as to how they made it all come together. Also, here and here are links to view the Coastal Living photo gallery in Picasa that shows the construction process and many more details. Don’t forget that Julia, on her other blog, Beach Cottage Love, did a post on this very house last year and you can check that out here.
Okay, folks… what do you think? You know, with each house I “like,” there is always something that I want to change; a room I’d like to make larger or smaller, or switch around the location of appliances in the kitchen, or even the type of columns on a porch. What would you do to this house? Would you keep it the same? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Hope you’re having a wonderful week! 
P.S. here are the floorplans…
*sigh* I will never live in a home this beautiful! (or this clean and organized) But a girl can dream!
LOL… my only option is to dream, as well, and therefore I will continue to have posts about beautiful homes… we can dream together!
Swoon. I love looking at pictures of gorgeous houses and interiors. Thanks for posting this.
Stumbled onto your blog today. Love it! Looking forward to reading more.
Thank you so much for dropping by!