Coastal Home and Design

Homebuilder Confidence in U.S. Increased to the Highest Level Since 2007

2012-02-16T09:29:00.000-05:00

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reports that their membership is gaining confidence in the single family housing market. In the report released today (2/15/12), the Housing Market Index (HMI) from NAHB/Wells Fargo rose from 25 to 29 from January to February. This is the fifth consecutive month the index has risen and is now at the highest level since 2007.

Chief NAHB Economist David Crowe believes the numbers are encouraging, but points out that the HMI number is still low. The index gauges builder perceptions about how single-family home sales will fare in the upcoming 6 month period. Any number about 50 indicates that builders view conditions as “good” and with numbers below 50 viewing the outlook as “poor.”

NAHB Chairman Barry Rutenberg, a home builder from Gainesville, FL, stated “Given the recent improvements in new home starts and the increasing number of markets included, this consistency suggests that the housing market is moving toward more sustainable growth.”

15 Secret Beaches

2011-12-20T12:59:00.000-05:00

We love living in a coastal town, but sometimes we like to take a break to see a new beach. Here's a look around the globe at a few beach destinations that might need a visit in 2012!

15 Secret Beaches

Guide to Building on the Coastal

2011-09-01T18:42:00.001-04:00

Building on the Coast

For a collection of helpful articles and resources for prepating to build your coastal home check out our page for Building on the Coast at:

Coastal Home Plans: Coastal Building Info

In Search of Big Waves

2011-03-22T17:02:00.001-04:00

Looking for a place to relocate to on the coast?

For most of us the criteria we use to choose the ultimate coastal place to live revolves around natural beauty, amenities, cost, etc. For some, however, the ideal coastal "place to be" moves according to where the best surf is happening. Check out these fascinating articles and videos (links below) that chronicle the wild world of big wave surfers. Deploying equal parts athletic prowess and "death wish" courage, this strange and amazing group of surfers lives for the adrenalin rush that can only come from dropping down the face of a mammoth (often 40' and higher) waves. Crashes and injuries are an almost certainty - which is, I suppose, why we can't resist watching. :)

The Wave
In Search of the 100' Wave
by Susan Casey
Sports Illustrated

Laird Hamilton takes on Teahupo YouTube

Riding Giants - This is the Sea YouTube

Walking with Rosie

2011-01-06T22:39:00.004-05:00

Enjoying the simple pleasures at the beach

By Jeff Evans

The thought of walking with your girl on the beach should be enough to entice inlanders to bust a move to the coast. Think about it: a beautiful winter night, cloudy and cool with a mist settled over the beach. The lights glow softly over the beach houses as a couple boats twinkle in the darkness seaward. My regular girl (and wife) has opted for the warmth of our beach house, but Rosie, our golden retriever is up for a walk. And so am I.

In the summertime Rosie will make a straight line for the water, eager to cool off or chase a sandpiper or seagull. You would think that she would at least test the water in the winter deciding if the water is too cool to flop in. Somehow she knows without dipping a paw: it is cold. Instead she instantly focuses her olfactory attentions to the high tide line. In the winter, that is where the action is - clumps of marsh grass hide curiosities worth checking out. When I walk near the water, my semi-obedient retriever follows faithfully - bored, but obedient. So, even though the tide is low and I would rather walk down by the whooshing surf, I accommodate my walking mate's wishes and walk the tide line.

Breathing in the brisk sea air, it strikes me that I am glad to be alive. Breathing in the rotting stench of dead starfish Rosie, I think, is glad to be alive too. Each to his or her own.

After a mile or so, I do an about face, as a light rain begins to fall. It is in the low 50s, I think, but a fleece jacket is enough to feel comfortable. Heading back I look for familiar house lights in the darkness. My favorite oceanfront house on this seven mile stretch of beach is distinctive and serves as a beacon for the beach path that will take us back home. Even though I know I am not far from home, being on the beach at night without another human makes me feel as though I am in a remote area - a nice perk afforded to those who live by the sea.

Our beach path presents itself, and we walk by my favorite house - it is a beauty, even more so with windows shining. I have thought about looking up who the owners are, but I decided it is better they remain anonymous. I will never own a home like this and it adds to the romance for me.

A block or so in from the beach, Rosie and I walk down the street through a tunnel of live oaks and take a right turn toward home. The street has puddled from the light rain and I coax Rosie through the water to wash her feet of sand. I feel clever at coming up with this maneuver but she does not congratulate me.

We walk up to our modest ranch home and shake ourselves off before entering. I silently thank my wife for talking me into moving to Isle of Palms.

O Holy Night

2010-12-26T00:28:00.000-05:00

Simply Irresistable Beach Snack

2010-07-22T16:41:00.006-04:00

A day at the beach requires sustenance in the form of great snacks and cold beverages. A new potato chip from Utz may just be the perfect snack food for beach-goers.

Utz's "The Crab Chip" offers up a BOLD treat for your taste buds. While the name "crab chip" may have you thinking seafood, the chip is actually spiced with Chesapeake Bay crab seasoning. Think Old Bay seasoning and you'll be on the right track. A bag of these bad boys is so tasty that our local Piggly Wiggly grocery stores in the Charleston, SC area are having a hard time keeping them in stock. While you may think it obsessive to actually go to three separate Piggly Wiggly stores trying to hunt down this prized snack, I can only tell you that these chips are worth the extra effort to find! They are so good they are instantly addictive.

Utz (rhymes with nuts) snacks have been around since 1921 and are available all along the Eastern Seaboard from Maine to South Carolina. We highly recommend you pack a bag or two for your next beach outing.

Glass House by the Sea?

2010-04-20T23:41:00.001-04:00

We have the pleasure of receiving phone calls from folks all over the world who are looking for just the right house plan for their coastal property. This morning I spoke with a gentleman from Canada looking for a "glass" home design. We have a good many designers and architects who incorporate walls of windows, doors and sliding doors to open up sight lines - but I've never had anyone looking for all glass. Does anyone know of an architect or designer who creates ultra modern all glass designs?

Check out Philip Glass' iconic Glass House design - still cool 61 years later!

Home Buyers Tax Credit Extended and Expanded

2009-12-01T15:42:00.009-05:00

The federal government extended the popular first time home buyer's tax credit that allows for an up to $8,000 tax credit. To take advantage of this tax credit, a buyer must have a contract in place before May 1, 2010, and must close before July 1, 2010. In addition, a $6,500 tax credit was added for homeowner's who have owned their residences for five years or more.

The tax credits are intended to spur on home sales as the housing industry continues to struggle. Joe Robson, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder from Tulsa, Okla. says “Now that Congress has wisely moved to extend the tax credit into next year and expand its eligibility to more buyers, we hope and expect that this will have a substantial stimulative effect on home sales and help keep the housing market solidly on the road to recovery.”

To learn more about how these tax credits can help you get your coastal construction project started, click on the links below.

Video from National Association of Home Builders explain new tax credits:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xA1wlJjJKA

New website provides detailed FAQs addressing new federal housing tax credits:
http://federalhousingtaxcredit.com/

The Inverted Floor Plan

2009-09-15T15:00:00.013-04:00

Ruminations on Living at the Top

At Coastal Home Plans we offer up a good many home designs that feature what we call an "inverted floor plan." This type of plan positions the living areas on the highest floor while allocating space for the sleeping areas to the middle or lower floors. The purpose? It's all about maximizing the views! Many coastal properties (ocean, lake, bay or river) have obstructions that block the coveted water views. Placing the living areas on a lower level may place your line of site straight into a row of trees or a neighbors house. Since most of our time is spent in these areas architects took to flipping the traditional floor plan upside down and voilà, long, unobstructed views became available to happy homeowners. In addition to capturing views, inverted floor plans also have a few additional benefits: 1) Capture prevailing breezes 2) Allow for more dramatic, vaulted living areas and 3) Lessen the nuisance of pesky mosquitoes and other biting insects.

Giving credit to the first architect or designer to utilize this sleight of hand trick is rather difficult. Figuring out where the inspiration for the inverted floor plan came from is a little easier to decipher. From early on, humans have strived to ascend by climbing the highest mountains. The physical excitement caused by taking in views from an elevated perspective is a reaction built into our DNA. Setting up camp on higher ground is also an effective strategy for protecting one's self. The cliff dwelling Anasazi Indians survived more than 2,500 years using this simple, but effective technique. Traveling back to medieval times, the castle presents the first and most dramatic example of the inverted floor plan. Designed for safety and protection, the castle utilized a floor plan with a series of concentric circles beginning with a moat and an outer wall interspersed with towers. In the middle of these concentric circles designers placed the tallest tower, called the Castle Keep. This was the last line of defense for the inhabitants and was where the living quarters were usually located. By placing themselves at the highest point, the occupants could look out over the entire surrounding landscape as well as the interior of the outer castle walls. The benefits of incorporating this into their castle design were obvious - hark the marauders approach! One wonders if they enjoyed, between invasions, the views that their perch provided?

Here in America, the inverted floor plan most likely came into existence as those in the upper classes began to build residences in "view worthy" locales. The antebellum homes that look out over the harbor in Charleston, SC come to mind. If you tour one of these homes, you'll notice that many incorporate parlor rooms not just on the lower level but on upper levels as well. Surely the pervasive use of double piazzas in Charleston Single home designs were placed not just for the prevailing breezes but for the delightful views too. While these residences don't fully "flip" the traditional floor they may represent at least a nod in that direction.

At the turn of the last century, as Victorian era seaside homes went up along the Eastern Seaboard, the exteriors where fanciful, but the floor plans were largely traditional. The same can be said of the Stick and Shingle style designs made popular by the architectural firm McKim, Mead and White. Perhaps somewhere along the way, an enterprising home designer noticed that family members were congregating in one of the larger waterside bedrooms on the upper level of one of these seaside beauties and decided, in a piqued state, to move the living room upstairs.

While homeowners may have been a bit leery of inverting the floor plans of their primary residences, they were more willing to experiment with their vacation homes. Property owners with building lots located adjacent to view worthy landscapes, such as the vacation communities situated on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, began to see homes built with the living areas on the top floors. In fact, one of our bestselling designers believes that the first inverted vacation home in the country was built in the town of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina in 1981. An updated version of that design, called the Kitty Hawk Rental, is available on our website and remains popular. At first, folks considering an inverted plan were skeptical ("we'll have to carry the groceries up all those stairs?"). But once they took in the expansive views offered by the inverted design, attitudes quickly changed.

As residential elevators became more affordable in the 1990's, the inverted home took off in popularity. The elevator solved the "carry the groceries up two flights of stairs" issue. In fact, in some coastal areas, such as the Outer Banks, it is far more common to build a home with the living areas up than down. The rationale for this remains the same as ever: better views, better breezes and living areas with room under the roof line for soaring and dramatic vaults.

In the end, we shouldn't be surprised that architects and home designers altered their design approach so that they could maximize views for their clients. Modern architecture has always coveted the spaces at the very top. When we hear the word "penthouse" we know this space will not be a view-less room located in the basement. It is fitting then, that the number of residential designs featuring inverted floor plans has increased so dramatically over the past 20 years. If the view from the top is so treasured, it only makes sense to place the rooms where the most time is spent on the uppermost floor. Our DNA demands nothing less.

If you'd like to preview our collection of house plans with inverted floor plans, click here: Inverted Floor Plans

Take a Labor Day Road Trip

2009-09-02T14:40:00.008-04:00

So, you've been scouring the Internet searching for that perfect house plan for your coastal property (shameless pitch: Coastal Home Plans has the largest selection of coastal-centric home designs on the web!). We have a suggestion for you as Labor Day Weekend approaches: take a break! You can get back to the computer first thing Tuesday. With the extra day off that the holiday brings, we say, why not visit one of your favorite coastal places?

Take an end of summer road trip
You'll be amazed at how many ideas you'll get for your own home building project by getting away from your home building project. Take a road trip to one (or more) of your favorite coastal towns to find inspiration for the home you'd like to build. Without fail you'll see delightful details that you can incorporate. Remember to take plenty of pictures and keep them in a clip file. Doing this type of recon will help you figure out what you really like - and don't like - about particular design styles, building materials and colors. As a bonus you'll get to hang out at the beach before the water gets too cold and grab a few "right off the boat" seafood meals. You know your favorite coastal places, but here a few that we love that have plenty of delightful residences worth checking out:

Charleston, SC - Best home viewing is Downtown Peninsula, Mount Pleasant (I'on, Old Village), Sullivan's Island and Daniel Island. For "beachy" homes go to Isle of Palms or Folly Beach. Head to The Boathouse at Breach Inlet (Isle of Palms) for great seafood and views.

Siesta Key, FL - Hit the road to Siesta Key to see cute beach bungalows, jaw-dropping oceanfront estate homes and everything in between. Hop across the bridge at Stickney Point Rd. to get to Coasters Bar & Grill. Their Intracoastal location is perfect for watching the parade of boaters float by and you'll satisfy you're culinary needs by sinking your teeth into a near perfect grouper sandwich.

Southport, NC - This small coastal town offers up a quaint Main Street, a nice variety of historic and new homes to ogle and easy access to the Bald Head Island Ferry for those looking to extend their house viewing adventures. Grab a bite at Cape Fear Restaurant where the cooking is down home (go for the fried fish and hush puppies) and the views are spectacular.

Half Moon Bay, CA - Here's one for you West Coasters. Half Moon residences are best viewed from the seat of a bicycle. Park at the Ritz-Carlton and head north toward town. As you get closer to town you'll get up close views of fun, funky and downright cool homes that hug the bike trail and the Pacific Ocean. When hunger calls, for an upscale treat, make reservations at award winning Cetrella (who can resist the scallop dishes?). Or, if you prefer a more casual setting head to Miramar Beach Restaurant for a meal with a view.

Peaks Island, ME - Hop on the ferry to Peaks Island from Downtown Portland to spend a delightful day sightseeing, bicycling and dining. This small community is easy to get around by two-wheeler. Take a left after you get off the ferry and walk several blocks and you'll find the friendly folks at Brad's Bike Rentals. For a measly $9 you can rent a bike for 3 hours. You can choose from a stable of refurbished bikes - nothing fancy, but all in good working condition. We could have spent 100 hours checking out all the amazing cottages and homes on this island. Whether by building code or good sense, all of the homes here are of a scale that fits the place, which gives this community a certain soulfulness. After you've worked up an appetite, wheel into the Inn on Peaks Island for a cask conditioned Shipyard Ale and a delicious Lobster Roll sandwich. Lucky, lucky you!

Drive safe on your Labor Day Road Trip and we'll see you back online at Coastal Home Plans when you return. As always, we're here to help you find the perfect home design for your place on the coast.

Modern Beach House Plan

2009-07-01T15:12:00.008-04:00

We've just added a spectacular new home plan that blends seaside living with Modern design aesthetic. This home, called "Siesta Beach", features an L-shaped floor plan that wraps around a delightful pool courtyard. The interior is designed for the way we really live with a large Theatre Room at the heart of the main floor and a smart gourmet kitchen that opens to the dining and living areas. Other unique touches include a textured glass partition betwen living and dining and a waterfall wall that adds drama and privacy to the pool space.

If your next seaside home must be cutting edge, this design may be right for you. Take a peak at Coastal Home Plans: Siesta Beach

Design Trends: Smaller House Plans Take Center Stage

2009-05-04T11:22:00.007-04:00

Thinking about building a new home? If so, you've probably shaved a few square feet off the size of the home you originally thought you were going to build. As the economy limps along, many folks have "skinnied up" their version of their dream home to help keep the total cost of their project down. This trend has most definitely been confirmed at Coastal Home Plans with the average size plan purchases for April 2009 coming in at 2,270. This is a full 500 square feet smaller than the average square footage for plans purchased in 2008.

Visitors are flocking to check out smaller cottage designs in our inventory - including, in no particular order, these popular plans:

The Sullivan's Island Retreat
Mingo Creek
Sprig Tail Cottage
Calusa Cottage
Carrabelle Cottage
Banks Channel

If you'd like to surf our entire collection of design by sqaure footage range, try these links:

House Plans Under 1,500 Square Feet
House Plans Between 1,500 - 2,500 Square Feet

Smaller may just be the smarter way to go - you will save money not only on the construction of your new home, but on the operation of it as well.

Green Building Techniques Sprout Out of Classic Home Design

2009-03-17T12:48:00.005-04:00

Green. These five letters represent one of the most popular buzz words of today's world. Industries search high and low for new ways to help save resources and conserve energy, and millions of dollars are spent towards these efforts. In the home building industry, building green can be much less complicated and exert much less effort on designers, builders and prospective home owners than one might think. If you're looking to build green, take a quick step back. Some of the best and most efficient green techniques aren't born out of new technology but out of homes of the past - homes built before the advent of air conditioning, big rig trucks and recycled materials. To help illustrate these techniques we'd like to focus on our newest designer who's inspiration comes from classic and rustic home designs of the early U.S. We'll center on his specialty and techniques for the simplistically beautiful and eco-friendly Florida Cracker home design.

The floor plans of this designer's home are the main factors in classifying the Florida Cracker style as green. Cracker-style designs are typically structured with rooms coming off one main hallway. This layout, coupled with very open entry ways, increases the air flow from room to room helping to cool down the home. The design is also ideal for increasing efficiency using passive solar orientation - or the placement of the home in relation to where the sun shines the strongest. For passive solar orientation in this style, the windows and main focus of the house face away from the brightest sun rays. Deep overhangs are placed over windows, especially those facing the hot sun rays, to help further shade the home. Even window placement is important for home cooling -windows are placed around the shell of the home to promote cross ventilation indoors. Outside of the home prevailing breezes can be enjoyed on wide porches and outdoor areas - seaside Cracker homes should face in a direction to take advantage of these breezes.

Building one of these homes today puts you one giant step in the right direction in reducing your energy costs - as the homes were designed to cool themselves in the hot Florida sun before air conditioning even existed. To further the eco-friendliness of a Florida Cracker home, take interest in where your materials originate. Try to obtain materials that travel the shortest distances which helps cut down on the shipping costs, energy usage and pollutions of shipping vehicles. Opting for recycled materials is always an earth friendly choice, but if the materials come from thousands of miles away you might negate the good you thought you were doing. This designer also suggests planting trees and flowers in your yard that are native to your area. This will help cut down watering needs and the negative effects the intrusion of foreign plants can have on your land.

When building green, always keep in mind that it comes down to the basics and the beginnings - the floor plan, orientation of your home and structural elements have just as big or a bigger say in energy efficiency than many of the newly developed techniques and materials on the market today. Be a smart home builder and keep these techniques in mind when beginning your green home.

Check out this designer's portfolio of Florida Cracker homes at Coastal Home Plans here

Best Coastal Places

2009-01-08T09:21:00.036-05:00

Every year a slew of magazines feature "Places Rated" articles that clue us in to the best communities to live. We've culled through their choices to present to you the cities and towns located on the coast that made the grade. If 2009 is the year that you make your move to the coast, maybe one of these places will be your dream destination. Happy browsing!

National Geographic Adventure
Entitled "Where to Live and Play" this comprehensive look at "the fifty next great adventure towns" offers up fantastic info and insights about cities large and small across the nation. If outdoor activities are important to your "where to live" decision, this is a can't miss read. We've culled a few of the places they chose that offer up a coastal flavor, by region:

East Coast - Best Places to Live

1. Boston, MA

2. Charleston, SC

4. Plymouth, NH

6. Blue Hill, ME

8. Avalon, NJ

9. Salisbury, MD

10. Islamorada, FL

12. Saranac Lake, NY

Central - Best Places to Live

1. Grand Marais, MN

3. Traverse City, MI

5. Mobile, AL

6. Lafayette, LA

West Coast - Best Places to Live
1. Seattle, WA

2. Coos Bay, OR

3. Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii

5. Hood River, OR

6. San Francisco, CA

11. Bellingham, Washington

12. Malibu, CA

Cottage Living

The folks at Cottage Living approach to finding the perfect community is to focus on top neighborhoods. They make their choices based on the following formula: Homes - 30%, People - 30%, Bright Idea - 30%, Cottage Twist - 10%. Several of these developments feature water as a key amenity:

Noisette, North Charleston, SC

NorthWest Crossing, Bend, OR

Islands Magazine

Looking for a lifestyle that's a little more exotic? A move to the islands may be the answer to the bliss you seek. Check out "The Ten Greatest Islands to Call Home" to find the island of your dreams. To give you an idea of the types of places Island Magazine favors, here's a sampling of their choices:

Orcas Island, Washington

Kauai, Hawaii

Eleuthera, Bahamas

Kangaroo Island, Australia

Vanua Levu, Fiji

Coastal Living Magazine

Writers for this popular magazine scoured the U.S. looking for coastal communities with "easy access to open water and abundant opportunities to live the coastal lifestyle." Their article "So You Want to Live on the Coast" identifies 16 great coastal places that fit the bill. A few of their favorites include:

Lubec, Maine; Crystal Beach, Texas; New Bern, North Carolina, Harbor Spring, Michigan and Cannon Beach, Oregon

Outside Magazine

A longtime personal favorite, Outside Magazine's "Best Towns" articles have run annually for the past 15 years. With a bias toward towns that provide quick access to outdoor sporting pursuits, this year's list includes:

New Orleans, LA

Portsmouth, NH

Eureka, CA
Wilmington, NC

Mother Earth News
You might guess that the earth-friendly, granola-eating editors of this publication would choose funky-cool cities with a mind toward conservation. You'd be right. In their piece entitled, "9 Great Places You've Never Heard Of", you'll be introduced to some top towns that include sustainability into the civic equation. Here are a few of their coastal favorites:

San Luis Obispo, CA
Traverse City, MI

Garden & Gun

While not directly addressing the "where should I live" question, this recent article provides so many hints that you won't need a compass. Read "50 People, Places and Things" for insights into Southern towns and cities that might just make your short list.

Spectacular Home Plan Offer!

2008-12-11T15:22:00.010-05:00

This holiday season Coastal Home Plans is offering 25% off any plan purchase! In order to take advantage of this great promotion, you must order your plan before December 31, 2008. What better way to begin this holiday season than with a new home design! This offer can save you hundreds of dollars on your purchase! Click here to learn more about the offer and take a look at some of Coastal Home Plan's most popular plans of the year.

Understanding Obscure Home Design and Construction Terms

2008-11-07T12:29:00.011-05:00

Design or construction jargon getting you down? When searching for the perfect design for your new home, you may have discovered a few unfamiliar terms or styles. Anything from a coastal balustrade to a cupola can furrow the brow of anyone new to the coastal home building world. When you come across these obscure terms, make sure you locate an explanation or definition - they just might be the specific elements you are looking for. We've listed a few resources below that will help you understand pesky architectural and construction terms. Searching for your favorite home design should be a fun and stress-free step in the building process, so it's a good idea to keep these resources handy.

Guide to Residential Styles: http://www.realtor.org/rmoarchitecture_guide/residentialstyles

Architectural Glossary: http://www.archiseek.com/guides/glossary/a.html

Construction Glossary: http://www.homebuildingmanual.com/Glossary.htm

Got Land?

2008-11-06T12:18:00.012-05:00

If you're hunting for the perfect spot of land for your new coastal or lake dream home, we have a few resources that might help you on your way. Peruse through some of the sites we have listed below to find residential lots for sale in your favorite area. If you're still deciding on where you want to build, don't fret! Take a peak at what's available and narrow down your selections. Choosing where you want to build is a big decision that might take some time to firm up. Keep these resources handy throughout your selection process.

Helpful sites to find coastal and lake lots for sale

http://www.southerncommunityguide.com/

http://www.lakehouse.com/

http://www.lakeplace.com/

http://www.escapehomes.com/

http://www.resortscape.com/

http://www.naterraland.com/

Have a Laugh - Contractor Comic

2008-09-09T09:25:00.005-04:00

If you have or are currently building a home, we thought you might enjoy this Dan Piraro comic we recently stumbled upon. This comic pokes fun at the delays so common to the home building experience. In all seriousness, this does point out the importance of finding a reputable homebuilder. And is a reminder that unexpected events (rain) and last minute changes can easily add time to your project. Be patient, your home takes time to build, but it will all be worth it on move-in day.

Coastal Home Design: The Florida Cracker

2008-09-08T13:20:00.015-04:00

No, we're not talking about a crunchy mid-day snack. The Florida Cracker is a classic and unique architectural home style of the United States. In the book, Classic Cracker - Florida's Wood-Frame Vernacular Architecture, author Ronald W. Haase takes us through the history of this style and the original Floridians that designed and built these homes. If you are planning on building a coastal abode, take a peak at this book. More and more of today's architects are picking up this style when creating 'earth-friendly' houses and when utilizing the natural elements surrounding homes. Orientation to the sun, building materials, and simplistic floor plans are all components that helped cool Cracker homes even before air conditioning was available, and can be incorporated today to save you energy costs. If you're looking for a pre-existing Florida Cracker house design, check out these home plans. Sometimes beauty is all about getting back to the basics.

Hunkering Down for Hanna

2008-09-03T12:35:00.007-04:00

Here we go again. The colorful swirl of the meteorologist graphics with what looks like a direct hit to our coastline. We've seen and prepared for this time and time again - perks of living at the beach, right?

Living on the coast does have a few setbacks, and hurricane season is one of them. The Lowcountry's first threat this year is Hanna followed by her best pals Ike and Josephine. We are thankful that we have multiple days to watch the storm approach, giving us time to get out if necessary. If you're thinking of moving to the coast, don't let the hurricanes scare you away. Every area has it's downside when it comes to weather, and hurricanes just so happen to be ours. The best thing to do is continue to watch the storm approach and listen to the advice given by your local meteorologist. If you are told to board up your house and evacuate, you should do so. Stock up on water and supplies, just in case. After the devastation of hurricane Katrina, we all know the results of being unprepared.

On the upside, hurricanes can make for in interesting change of pace as long as they aren't too menacing. Some people even enjoy watching the weather roll in. Kids usually get off school, and family and friends get together for hurricane parties. These fiestas usually comprise of lots of food, water, and supplies in addition to a few cocktails and indoor past times. You might as well enjoy the storm if you're waiting it out. If you're new to the coast with a hurricane heading your way, take a look at a few tips for throwing a hurricane party of your own. You'll get used the routine. Prepare for the storm, but have fun doing it.

For more information on hurricane parties, check out this blog and these additional pointers.

Journeying through the Building Process

2008-08-27T15:13:00.007-04:00

If you're building your first coastal home, we realize your project is a BIG undertaking with a lot to consider. The building process can become stressful and confusing at times, but remember to stop and take a breather - you're not climbing Mt. Everest here. Ask your builder questions when you are concerned or curious, and in addition to answers you'll end up with a better picture of your builder's timeline and goals. As you get closer to opening the doors to your new home, celebrate the building milestones along the way. Things may not always go as planned, but the more you celebrate progress and prepare yourself for setbacks, the better you will feel about the project as a whole.

To help you get prepared, we recommend reading a couple of great books that outline and organize the building process for you. We've read plenty of these types of books, and we always come back to the same two - Building Your New Home and Building Your Home - An Insider's Guide. You can find and purchase both of these books at the National Association of Home Builder's publishing site at builderbooks.com. In addition to helping you get organized, these books will give you a better understanding of the building process and will teach you how to work better with your builder. Prepare yourself, and you never know, once you're house is complete you may feel the same sense of accomplishment and success as someone who has just scaled the tallest mountain in the world.

Relaxing in Style: The Adirondack Chair

2008-08-22T09:30:00.008-04:00

Go outside, take a seat, lean back, and relax. Sounds great, doesn't it? To make it even better, choose an adirondack chair as your seat of choice. These wooden thrones are large, comforable and look sharp too. Adirondack chairs are prominent additions to many coastal and lake homes, sitting nicely on front porches, in backyards or by swimming pools. Increasing in presence, I began to wonder where the adirondack originated, so I did a little research.

Surprisingly, for a wooden chair, adirondacks are barely over 100 years old. They were first created by a man named Thomas Lee in 1903 who took matters into his own hands when he couldn't find the proper outdoor furniture for his summer home in Westport, NY. Lee created this distinctive, rustic, and quality chair style himself, then called the Westport chair. The westports were made of 11 pieces of wood, had arm rests big enough to rest a drink on, and were painted green or brown blending well with the natural environment. Lee's friend Harry Bunnell patented and began to manufacture the chairs after realizing how unique and comfortable they really were.

Today, though the design is much the same as the original, you'll find Adirondack chairs in a variety of natural wood finishes or painted beachy colors. There are even quite a few plastic and recycled material variations out there. Expanding the design into tables, stools, swings, rockers gliders, and chaise lounges, the Adirondack chair has evolved into a key outdoor element of beach and lakeside homes. If you're handy Like Thomas Lee, you can even build the chairs yourself with a do-it-yourself kit.

If you've never experienced the comfort of an Adirondack, I encourage you to give it a shot. You'll sink right in, and you might even feel compelled to get a couple for your own porch or backyard.

Blue Adirondack

Do-it-yourself Adirondack chairs and table

Chaise Lounge

Create Your Own Sand Masterpiece

2008-08-21T11:11:00.006-04:00

Ever walk past an amazing sandcastle at the beach and wish you could make one of your own? You know, the mermaids, 4-foot Cinderella castles, or menacing sharks that become the photo sensation for every passer by. If you've ever stopped to stare at these structures and wished you too could create something of the same caliber, we've got the DVD for you. Check out, Sandcastles for Everyone, an instructional DVD by Todd Vander Pluym who is in the Guinness Book of World Records for his intricate sand masterpieces and is the president of Sand Sculptors International. In the DVD, Vander Pluym illustrates simple design techniques and shows you helpful tools to use that can be found around the house. Building eye catching sand structures doesn't only have to be for the artistically inclined. Whether you are a year-round beach dweller or visit the sea every now and then, make your mark in the sand or show your kids a thing or two about sandcastle creation with the tips you learn from this video.

Catch a sneak peak of the DVD at You Tube.

There's no better time than now to build your coastal home

2008-08-19T09:56:00.000-04:00

Wondering if you want to build now or hold out a little longer? After reading this, you may want to go ahead and get out the hammer and nails and get a kick start on your new home.