Design inspiration, dream home or ‘the great escape’ aptly describe this coastal beauty nestled comfortably on an historical Florida coast originally known for its boat and home building craftsmanship. Crane Island, Florida (near Fernandina Beach) enjoyed the privilege of hosting the construction of the Southern Living Idea House  in partnership with Riverside Custom Homes and designer Heather Chadduck Hillegas.

At first glance, this new-old Victorian styled home gives a settled, established feel evidenced by the builders ability to construct the placement of the home to complement the natural landscape of the property and existing trees resulting in an enhanced beach-front home, according to landscape architect Dan Hooten.

The dreamy white exterior is finished in Drift of Mist (SW9166) which surrounds the welcoming front door finished in Blustery Sky (SW9140), both provided by Sherwin Williams.

Beauty and practicality are seamlessly intertwined from the breathtaking entrance to the outdoor space as every consideration was incorporated for ease of movement throughout spacious and natural light filled home loaded with elegant design details.

Another amazing architectural feat is that every room has a view which only enhances the sense of an emotional and spiritual get-away feel.

A unique design treatment for the kitchen backsplash almost catches you by surprise with a lovely Gracie wallpaper featured over the range. Although for the sake of practicality, it is covered by a thin layer of Plexiglas for easy care it evokes an aged patina that connects with the Venetian plaster treatment over the hood. This could be the start of a new trend.

Last, but certainly not least, this outdoor living room seems to be the perfect space to take a moment from everyday commitments. The generous screened porch was placed on the side of the house to protect the view out back and the fireplace makes it enjoyable year round.

This project is worth taking a look at the full gallery of interior and exterior views, I promise you will experience the same design inspiration that I did upon first view. The careful and meticulous effort that went into this project makes it a winner in my book.

Please Tour the Ultimate Southern Dream House and let me know what decorating tips that you can apply to your home!

Photo Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

Natural stone, zen-like retreats and modern innovation bathed in luxury mildly describe these incredible spaces designed by the 2020 Bath of the Year winners sponsored by Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles.

Home is the new sanctuary and the designers have certainly embraced this trend as described by HGTV’s best practices by incorporating “neutral colors, open spaces that amplify natural light, soft greens, blues and pink color hues to create a sense of the outdoors.”

Intrigued by a certain refinement mixed with natural, even rustic design elements confirms a trend towards the use of organic materials that bring a sense of calm to the bath retreat, with a sense of practical function of course. And don’t be fooled with all the natural elements taking center stage, there is a touch of glam in each space representing the style of its owners which brings a personalization that is becoming common in custom interiors.

Oversized showers (as shown above, 18’x7′), sparkling stainless steel soaking tub that changes to an almost matte black as light moves during the day, custom vanities, yoga type bath studio and so much more support the trend of designing spaces that speak to the mind, soul and body.

Transitional with a touch of modern rules in the contest winners choice of design style. Layered with subtle patterns and natural tones and materials accentuate the sense of luxury and glamour in this private and tranquil space.

Each contest winner incorporated a fantastic view; with one designer incorporating a series of clerestory windows to achieve plenty of natural light while not sacrificing privacy. Adding to the calming sense of escape from the hectic activities of daily life exposure to nature in this private space provides an almost instant sense of calm.

I hope that you are as inspired as I am about luxury bath design, especially the elements that can be incorporated into your own bath retreat!

To view the entire gallery please visit 2020 Bath of the Year Winners.

Kitchen islands have transitioned into a “prominent feature in renovated kitchens” according to Houzz in the most recent 2020 Houzz Kitchen Trends Study. Large and loaded with upgrades, the kitchen island has become a style element as well as a functioning element of kitchen design. By choosing different finishes such as cabinet door styles, countertops and color for intentional contrast to the supporting cabinetry, the island has become the “crown jewel” of the kitchen (a name given by Houzz).

Almost 40 percent of those surveyed chose a cabinet color that contrasted with their main cabinets. In case you’re wondering what the most popular contrast colors were, the choices were led by gray (26 percent), blue (19 percent) and black (11 percent).

Contrasting countertop colors were also found to be a popular choice for kitchen updates with 23 percent choosing white and 21 percent choosing medium wood. As for contrasting countertop materials butcher block tops the list at 41 percent!

Kitchen islands have evolved to the point that they are expected to include storage features, built-in appliances such as dishwashers, microwaves, cooktops, garbage disposals and beverage refrigerators. Homeowners are spending more with a “median spend on major kitchen remodels* completed in mid-2019 was up 17 percent at $35,000, according to Houzz.

Islands have indeed become the crown jewel of kitchen renovations and they make a great statement in current and popular transitional kitchen styles.

Keep these kitchen island trends in mind when planning your renovation project!

*A major kitchen remodel refers to a remodel in which at least all the cabinets and appliances are replaced.

Transitional kitchen styles top the list among the 85 percent of renovating homeowners surveyed by a recent Houzz survey, followed by contemporary and modern while farmhouse style seems to have peaked last year.

This popular style kitchen offers clean architectural lines and with often neutral finishes that speak to an ageless and classic style, borrowing the best of traditional and contemporary design. Transitional style kitchens also flow well into connecting spaces within the home.

There are many options to choose from when designing your transitional kitchen,an open floor plan (or ample flow) is critical to the overall look of transitional style. Then cabinet style, color palette, countertops, lighting, flooring, appliances and a myriad of decorative accents that lend themselves to a clean, fresh welcoming look complete the space.

Here are a few more illustrations of transitional kitchens that showcase the design elements mentioned above that promise to inspire your future kitchen renovation project.

A recent collaboration with Better Homes & Gardens kitchen trends writer, Kristina McGuirk speaks to the popularity of transitional style kitchens. Kristina states that transitional kitchens “eliminates visual distractions like patterns and clutter.” We see this attractive feature in the clean lines and simple color palettes.

Kitchen appliances are also given an opportunity to shine in transitional kitchens given the visual impact they are allowed to have due to the subtle and simple aesthetics of this popular kitchen style according to Kristina.

Every design element in transitional kitchens makes a statement the enhances the total look and feel of the kitchen. From pendant lighting, hardware and flooring its no wonder the appeal is so popular. The accents make it personal to your home and style.

Transitional kitchens are here to stay, feel free to share your favorites from this post!

Tudor delight with a modern twist defines the design inspiration behind creating a home that reflects the owners love for art and color with an understated elegant appeal.

The 1939 Tudor renovation is the result of an amazing art curator owner, architect and designer collaboration. The art collection looks right at home in a color palette consisting of taupes, salmon, pale blue-greens and stony hues. Each room finds it anchor in taupe backgrounds making the transition from space to space with ease.

Impressive architectural features delight the eye in every space beginning with the eye-catching arched paneled doorway into the living room. This theme is echoed throughout in interior and exterior doorways.

While warm color hues embrace the entire home an exception was made for the kitchen with the use of warm whites that bring a refreshing sense of renewal to this hard working space filled with luxury appliances.

The music room, a favorite of mine is glamorous and practical with its multi-zone layout for entire family enjoyment. The layout accommodates art reflection in many formats from practicing on musical instruments to reading and relaxing with a good book.

What a refreshing approach to making an old home relevant for today’s lifestyle, may this amazing Tudor live on forever!

To tour the entire gallery of images please visit Tudor with an Artful Touch.

Architect: Anne Decker

Relaxation and comfort seem to be the driving influences in popular color projections for the Color of the Year 2021 announcements and with more home environments becoming “work from home” spaces we need a home that embraces a healthy balance of peace and productivity. Sherwin Williams Urbane Bronze (SW7048) has been crowned Color of the Year 2021, a deep, rich shade with gray undertones. The dark, warm paint color aims to bring a sense of comfort to the home–whether it’s used for the interior or exterior, according to House Beautiful’s Kelly Allen.

With homeowners ready to renovate after adjusting to the affects of Covid-19, baby boomers are leading the way now that “the home is now the ultimate retreat from the world, and color is an easy and effective way to create a personal haven,” spoken by Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin Williams.

Urbane Bronze, part of the Sanctuary palette in Sherwin Williams 2021 Colormix Forecast, also pairs well with other warm neutrals such as Modern Gray (SW7632,) and Messenger Bag (SW7740) which has a hint of green (please see below).

Sherwin Williams, in their own words perfectly describe the compelling nature of Urbane Bronze: As a pure, minimalistic expression of nature, Urbane Bronze effortlessly conveys a feeling of warmth and welcome. A refreshing alternative and complement to gray, the hue combines beautifully with pale woods, rich leathers, metals and understated natural stone tones.

Count me in!

Textures and colors imitating natural materials will be at the peak of popularity in the new season of wallpaper trends according to the experts at edecortrends as conscientious homeowners strive to create unity between nature and their home interiors. The use of wallpaper also opens the gateway to our creative senses by inspiring our well being and attitudes in a positive way as a result of the colors and patterns we choose. Whether you aim to freshen up your look with a lively pattern, color combination or aim to create a peaceful mood by inviting warmth and solitude, these options make decorating with wallpaper a popular choice today.

Inspired recently with a delightful design project that I continue to enjoy deserves to be highlighted for its wonderful execution of color and pattern. Spearheaded by designer James Farmer and photographed by Jeff Herr, this weekend retreat for a young family exemplifies what most of us would dream of owning as a main residence. Their use of wallpaper will take your breath away as the choice of color, pattern and nature themes give honor to the owners southern roots. The elegant entry set the tone with delightful details that lift the soul.

Patterns that work together while unifying a color scheme of rich greens that perfectly complement the natural grass cloth wallpaper in the living and dining room.

A farm themed wallpaper by Thomas Straham anchors the powder room against a golden yellow and white background.

An amazing soft blue and green palette creates a welcoming warmth in this kitchen wallpapered with a trellis wallpaper by Anna French.

Serene and sophisticated, adjectives used by the designer to describe the master retreat that is as luxurious as five-star hotel suite. Enveloped with a Colefax and Fowler’s Snow Tree wallpaper combined with its soothing green and aqua palette makes this space worthy of a weekend escape from the hectic world we live in during the week. Studying the design details and layers of luxury crafted by the designer is well worth your time.

Well done!

To view the entire gallery of photos please visit Designing North Toward Home at Flower Magazine.

Warmth and well-being are the buzz words describing Benjamin Moore’s Aegean Teal (2136-40) Color of the Year 2021. Seeking quality in the small moments of life, Aegean Teal certainly takes us back to thoughts of a simpler and less cluttered lifestyle as the color pros were driven by the new focus on comfortable and functional homes that serve as a backdrop to a myriad of activities due to the times.

Aegean Teal supports our domestic environment as we’re seeing it show up on kitchen cabinets, walls, furniture and accessories. This adaptable blue-green palette has a soothing affect and according to Benjamin Moore’s Andrea Magno, director of color marketing and development, they were gravitating towards colors that had organic, natural and rooted in sensability appeal that offered numerous applications from the kitchen to the front door.

Supported by a palette of 11 other shades to make up Benjamin Moore’s Color Trends 2021, “they all have this sunbaked quality…like you left them out in the sun and they ripened,” according to Magno, and plenty of inspiration.

A recent kitchen renovation project chose an island cabinet finish perfectly illustrates the appeal of Aegean Teal as an accent color that brings warmth and a feel of comfort to a living space within the home.

Well done Benjamin Moore!

To learn more about Aegean Teal and its supporting palette please visit Benjamin Moore.