Inspired by my small living in Seaside, I found this little cottage to share with you. The rendering even shows it located on the water!
While small, it's a cute little house and very little would need to be changed. Efficient built-ins would help with storage naturally. I would get rid of the breakfast nook and enclose the sleeping porch (sorry!) to have a private bath and larger closet in the main bedroom. I think I'd also enclose the kitchen porch for a larger kitchen. What do you think?
Today, March 15, marks the opening of this years 2012 DreamHome at the Washington Design Center. I was able to tour the set of rooms on Tuesday and meet with a number of the designers and am bringing you a few of my favorite spaces.
This year's theme is in conjunction with the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s exhibit 40 under 40 Craft Futures at the Renwick Gallery. Each designer was designated a piece of art from the exhibit to base their room around. It was really interesting to hear from each designer what inspiration they drew from their piece to help in the transformation of their room.
The entry to the DreamHome is a modern study by Miriam Dillon of Barnes Vanze Architects and her talented design team in these first photos seen here.
The team's inspiration was Hula Hoop, a translucent film quilt by Sabrina Gschwandtner. Not only was the color from the piece used in the design of the room, subtle links to photography were to be found throughout the space including an amazing stop-motion photo screen above the sofa provided by Lee Odess of energy + light + control.
A first for the DesignHome, the architectural team built out the space with beautiful ceiling coffers, paneling and a 3 piece crown, built by Horizon Houseworks, creating a true room with architectural presence.
The lighting control system, varying textures and architectural details all meet to create a beautiful modern study.
I loved the striped window film, by Decorative Films LLC, over the pocket doors to the adjoining rooms which gave glimpses of the spaces to come but provided some mystery and privacy. 
Behind the study was the Living Room completed by Scott Cooke. Scott took inspiration in his piece Dulce, which refers to the languid women depicted by artists such as Manet and Goya. The room truly feels like a relaxing and feminine space to comfortably lounge. 
What I liked most about this room was the formal symmetrical plan which was kept from being staid through the use of color and whimsical accent furniture. I especially loved those 2 red and mirrored greek key coffee tables! 
The office, just off of the Living room, is a very stylish space designed by Shanon Munn of the Ambi Design Studio. Shannon's inpiration was drawn from the piece Crane Chair by Christy Oates. She used the origami motif around the room, including in the amazing custom Stark carpet and the very linear leather covered fireplace surround.
Shannon was also inspired by strong and stylish women such as Vera Wang. You easily could see someone like this operating her business from such a chic space.
The Breakfast Room by Christine Philp for Palindrome Design is a relaxing space of calm neutrals, organic lines and natural textures. I immediately recognized the Century Furniture table from the Grand Tour collection (remember my post on it from Highpoint).
The Cowtan & Tout curtains want to come home with me, they really do. I loved this little cozy reading nook in the bay window.
This bullseye mirror stands guard over a number of natural decorative accessories; all just very pretty and calming.
Less calming but full of energy was the Modern Lounge by the Akseizer Design Group. Inspired by the Mad Men era down to the interesting acrylic grand piano, the room was designed to complement the neighboring cityscape which the room looks out onto. This view is redolent of the opening scene of North by Northwest playing on a continuous loop on the tv. 
But the most dramatic room of the DreamHome is surely the bedroom by William McGovern of McGovern Design Studio. While not a room I could feel at home in personally, I feel the place for such a playful space is in a showhouse - where else can you experiment like this?
Designed around the tension between the masculine and the feminine, the contrast is further enhanced by the strict use of black and white with the accent of a vintage, lacquered red 4-poster bed. Dramatic; not to mention the crystal chandlier and metallic wall covering.
Be sure to check out the DreamHome on the 5th level of the Washington Design center before it closes on November 30. Admission is free to the public and open 9-5, Monday thru Friday.
While in Seaside, as I mentioned, I stayed in a guest cottage on one of the pedestrian path 'alleys' that was a lesson in small living, the Angel in the Dunes. 
I loved the cheerful yellow siding which matched the main house (seen to the left). As you can see, the dense plantings made the exterior hard to photograph!
The houses in Seaside are all raised off the ground to allow for venilation to help with natural cooling in the hot summers (don't worry, there was an AC too!).
The 2nd floor had a balcony with operable shutters which was a lovely place to have my morning tea.
Even though I didn't use it, the grill on the front deck was a nice addition.
The bay window in the living room contained a built-in banquette that was comfy and a great use of space. The barley twist dining table with hanging leaves was a good selection for the small room.
Opposite the dining nook was the couch and lounge rocker-chair with stools/coffee table with matching barley twist legs. If this was my little beach cottage I would probably add narrow bookcases on this entire wall for storage behind the couch (beach reading material!).
Opposite the entry wall was the tv (rather inartfully done as you can see) as well as entry to the kitchen and the stairs to the bedroom above. 
The kitchen was very smartly and efficiently laid out. The undercounter microwave and small fridge are all you need for such a small house with room for dishes on the open shelves above. You could replicate such a smart kitchen at home with a LG refrigerator.
Opposite was tons of storage and a full pantry (doors cut off to the right) along with a side by side washer dryer.
Under the stairs was the small mechanical/storage room with a bump out for the back of the washer dryer so they fit neatly under the cabinets. This also provided a shelf for additional storage. Up the stairs was a surprisingly spacious bathroom and large bedroom with vaulted ceiling (which I forgot to photograph!). I highly recommend the Angel in the Dunes for 1 or 2 guests. The main house was much larger and sleeps up to 10 with the option of combining the guest cottage for additional space.
No small town is complete without a church. Seaside has an adorable white board-and-batten chapel built in the tradition of such churches but with a modern edge.
The non-denominational chapel was designed by Scott Merrill of Merrill and Pastor Architects on land donated by the founders of Seaside, Robert and Daryl Davis.
Designed to be the tallest building in town, the chapel is given extra prominence by being the end point of the center line of town; a true focal point.
My father being a minister, I have very definite ideas about churches of course, and this one hits the mark on every item. I love the old fashioned pews and the paneled Apse or Altar front. Tall ceilings and fans help in the hot summer weather.
Adjacent to the main building is a charming outdoor chapel formed by an allee of trees and breezeway off the front of the church. Read more about the chapel and see some great photos at the blog Life of an Architect.
This past weekend, I stopped into my favorite local shop, Ms Pixies, and picked up this small gilt chair.
Can I be honest? I'm really not feeling it. I'm generally not a fan of animal prints and besides, I feel the heft of the fabric and the double welting are a bit heavy for the small chair. I want to reupholster the chair (correction, I want to have the chair reupholstered, I'm not doing the hard work!).
Details such as this are hidden by the heavy welt and the print is very distracting.
However, I'm not TOTALLY boring and thought maybe I could use a pattern or contrasting fabric here on the back -what do you think?
I actually have enough fabric left over from reupholstering my dining room chairs (Ralph Lauren cotton velvet in peacock blue) to reupholster the chair front AND back. I thought this way the chair could be pulled into service when needed at the table. Plus, being honest, I would like to not spend more money than I have to and I already have the fabric!
I also have a few remnants that I thought MIGHT work for the back. Do you hear the hesitancy in my voice? Option one, which I'm thinking might not work, is a striped blue silk. I'm not sure the color is perfect with the velvet plus stripes with such a delicate carved chair?
My 2nd option which I already have is this embroidered blue silk. I think this color works better and it definitely suits the chair. Is it a tad too feminine? I'm totally lost here and need your help and opinions! Should I upholster the back in the same velvet as the front or go with a contrasting fabric? Do either of my 2 remnants work or should I buy something new, a plain linen perhaps? Your comments are much appreciated!
Located just west of Rosemary Beach is the 3rd development planned by Duany Plater-Zyberk & Company, Alys Beach. 
Founded in 2003, the development is even larger than the previous projects at 158 acres which includes 20 acres of wetland preserve. 
Alys Beach has an important component the other projects do not. It is designed with sustainability in mind; in particular resistance to hurricanes and strong storms. White stucco over concrete walls, strong wind-resistant windows and sheltered outdoor living spaces are all major players in the architectural vocabulary.
The architectural style is inspired by Bermuda and courtyard architecture. Alys beach is planned to be an upscale community and while far from finished, it really is impressive and feels LUXE.
While many building sites remain, much of the infrastructure and amenities are in place.
I loved this beach pavilion with the flowing curtains overlooking the gulf.
I had a delicious latte at the Fontville Press coffee shop.
As there are wetlands, a canal of sorts runs through the project, connecting even the further-most properties to the water. This bridge connects 2 sides of the development over the canal and has this charming tower. 
Along the canal are a number of really impressive houses.
This house has a rare front porch. Unlike Seaside and Rosemary Beach, front porches are not a requirement and most houses instead have an interior courtyard.
This house, south of 30A had an impressive front facade and a deep lot, containing a courtyard which was almost like a secret garden.
A lot of construction is happening along the waterfront with interesting houses shaping up. I loved this house with the moorish arches and shapes. Many of the construction signs were from prestigious architects such as McAlpine Tankersley.
This beautiful house was entered through a courtyard.
These courtyard houses are a style I can get on board with as I've always been obsessed with secret gardens. 
I think residents are far more likely to use private outdoor spaces such as these as opposed to the front porches of Seaside.
Again, water features are an important design element and you cannot get very far without hearing the tinkling of water.
My favorite portion of the development is the center portion of townhouses (I'm a devoted urbanist!)
Taking the planning from Rosemary Beach a step forward, the fronts of the houses face a common green with proper pedestrian walkways; these FEEL like the front entrance as opposed to the small boardwalks provided at Rosemary Beach at the 'front doors'.
The white stucco is beautiful in the Florida sun and allows the different colored trim of each house to really stand out.
This was another of my favorite houses, I loved the rooftop trellis which reminded me of ancient Roman dwellings.
The alleys aren't unattractive either and have a beautiful cobblestone surface and planted trees (sad looking in winter without their leaves).
Each development seems to improve as the design team alters the things that don't work from their previous schemes and I applaud the learning process. Yes, as you can tell, even though far from complete, I think Alys Beach is shaping up to be the best new urbanist town in Florida yet.
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