In the world of home design, there’s a timeless elegance that transcends trends, a feeling of warmth that defies changing seasons, and a sense of beauty that stands the test of time. As Coastal Lifestyle Magazine turns 25, we take a nostalgic journey through our past issues to present the Publisher’s top 10 favorite homes that encapsulate the essence of enduring design.
These remarkable homes, featured in our past issues, have left an indelible mark on the area’s architecture and interior design. Each one is a testament to the enduring allure of well-crafted spaces that cater to both aesthetic and functional needs. They are a testament to the skill, innovation, and passion of the architects, designers, and homeowners who created them.
While we celebrate the homes, we also celebrate the location where they thrive. Our home here on the breathtaking Emerald Coast is a place that’s not just a setting but an essential character in the story of these homes.
Living on the Emerald Coast means waking up to the gentle murmur of the turquoise Gulf waters, feeling the powdery white sand beneath your toes, and experiencing the beauty of coastal life. The homes nestled along this stunning coastline capture the essence of coastal living, from expansive windows that invite in the panoramic views to the serene, beachy color palettes that reflect the shimmering waters.
These homes are a testament to the marriage of architecture and environment, where the elements of nature become integral to the design. They capture the easy, breezy, and relaxed lifestyle that living in this area offers. Every room in these homes tells a story of the owner’s vision, from the cool and inviting interiors to the lush, well-manicured gardens that harmonize with the natural beauty of the coast.
We regret not being able to show more of the homes that were featured in these pages over the last 25 years. Be sure that every home that has graced these pages has embodied the enduring beauty, innovation, and celebration of this beautiful place we call home. Here’s to another 25 years of bringing you the best in home design, and celebrating the enduring charm of coastal living.
PICTURE PERFECT PENTHOUSE
GREG RIEGLER, Photography
DUCE & COMPANY, Designer
It isn’t often that “penthouse” and “beach house” refer to the same place, but when it does happen, it makes for a remarkable home indeed. The lucky couple who made this spot in the clouds their own had roots in California and had lived in Birmingham, but they were able to make this 5,600-square-foot penthouse their dream home. The space was a blank canvas when they acquired it, so they had free reign to create the home of their dreams. They brought design elements from Palm Springs, California, with Mid-Century Modern design elements. Their love of that style’s clean lines, natural light, and connectivity between indoors and outdoors were among the guiding principles in designing their new home. The vision was for a clean, neutral palette of ivories, golds, shades of caramel and gray, with finishes both matte and shiny. To the basic palette, they added pops of color and metallics in the artwork, accessories, textiles and furnishings.
Like a standout piece of jewelry, the living room is crowned with a stunning chandelier, and its citrine and blue crystals mirror the hues of the magnificent sunsets viewed from the western windows of the room. The kitchen adjoins the living room and has dramatic contrasts of black cabinets, white marble floors, and dramatic gold pendant light fixtures. The dining area brings together vintage and modern pieces, with a sixteenth-century pier mirror juxtaposed with a contemporary crystal chandelier and dining table. Custom sliding leather doors open from the living area to the den, with its twenty-foot wide floor-to-ceiling window which provides amazing views of the bay. Beyond the den is the primary suite, with its stunning bath lined with Calcutta marble. There is an oversized closet with a marble vanity with three lighted mirrors, hidden jewelry storage, and a sink embellished with Swarovski Crystal.
LUXURIOUS ONO ISLAND RETREAT
TIM LUDVIGSEN, Photography
MELANIE MARTIN INTERIORS, Designer
JP LOPER CONSTRUCTION, Builder
MCCOLLOUGH ARCHITECTURE, Architect
This stunning home on Ono Island was created by the dream team of Melanie Martin, designer, Sted McCullough, architect, and Chad Loper, general contractor. When these three collaborate on a project, the results are always outstanding. This 11,600 square foot home – 16,600 counting the porches and the garage – contains five bedrooms, six full and four half baths, two offices, and an expansive fitness room with a custom steam room. It has frontage on Old River, with breathtaking waterfront views and a private sandy beach just beyond the porch and the pool. The luxurious retreat boasts ample room for guests, and fabulous views from every vantage point.
The main floor includes a galley kitchen with ample built-in storage, an oversize pantry, a dramatic Francois stove hood that was custom created for the space, and floor-to-ceiling glass framing a dramatic view of the river and beyond. The spacious living area and dining area are connected by a soaring wall with a fireplace that opens to both rooms. The focal point of the living room may be the unique tree stump coffee table that rests on an antique Moroccan rug. The nearby library/ music room is dominated by a grand piano, and features built-in bookcases and a pair of curved loveseats flanked by tall potted palms in front of a floor to ceiling window overlooking Bayou St. John.
The primary suite is on the top level of the home, and features a gold-toned four-poster bed piled with pillows in shades of cream and sand, set against a wall covered with wallpaper that evokes the beach itself. Luxurious floor to ceiling draperies open for a panoramic view of water and sky, or close to provide complete privacy and darkness. The outdoor living spaces are as much a part of the home as the indoors. There are porches, both covered and uncovered, with ample seating and comfortable furnishings. The pool is surrounded by conversation groupings and chaises for sunning. Comfort and beauty abound in this slice of paradise.
WALDEN WATERCOLOR
RANDY LEE, Photography
COURTNEY DICKEY, Designer
TS ADAMS STUDIO, Architect
MARTIN PROPERTIES, Builder
When the Waldens began to plan their 30A home, it all started with the wood. The family was in the cattle and timber business, and they put their knowledge and resources to work, bringing their own wood to the project, and their own expertise in woodworking. They cut all the beams themselves and brought them to the site on a flatbed trailer. They also brought brick from a demolished general store in their former hometown of Brantley, Alabama. They cleaned the old brick and then gray-washed them to achieve a lighter feel for their new home. They even brought people from their old hometown to build the brick walls.
The Waldens used old doors and old molding, and they left many pieces rough-hewn, just lightly buffed to take the splitters off. The rustic details meld beautifully with the softer side of the beach home. The lighting fixtures throughout the home were designed by a Georgia woman and crafted by an Atlanta architectural firm. She has made lighting fixtures out of all sorts of things – like the one she made from our hay rake wheel!
The home is a beautifully concocted fusion of classic beach vibe and old-world dedication to painstaking craftsmanship and timeless workmanship. The expansive porches across the home on each level feature bed swings fashioned from antique shutters, and pillowfilled chairs that call for relaxed conversation. Meals are served at a rough-hewn wooden table, under a wagonwheel chandelier. The wide open kitchen is framed by an old brick arch, and filled with light from floor-to-ceiling transom windows. The primary bedroom is a peaceful haven, with soft gray vertically paneled walls, white bed linens, cream accents, and wide wood plank floors. Every room and every space in the home is a nod to history, nature, and comfort.
A TRAVELER’S NEST
JACK GARDNER, Photography
LIZ BELL, Designer
CARL VALTTO, Builder
A pair of Gulf Breeze empty nesters faced a tough decision – to stay in the home they loved, where they raised a family and had fond memories, or to sell and start over in a new setting. It didn’t take much time to make the decision to embark on a complete renovation and remain in the home and the neighborhood they knew and loved. They knew they could rely on Liz Bell, the designer they had used before, and that helped to solidify their resolve. The project was a major undertaking and affected all the rooms and all the surfaces in the home. The staircase was redesigned and replaced, as were the molding and trim throughout the house. Sound systems were replaced with upgraded equipment. Most of the cabinetry and closet fittings were replaced, and others were retrofitted and refinished.
The living room and dining room were treated to a dramatic transformation. Soft white walls replaced ornate faux gold finishes in the living room and intense navy in the dining room. Dark, heavy silk draperies gave way to off-white linen, and transom windows above the doors added additional light to the spaces. The fireplace between the rooms received a new look, with floor-to-ceiling limestone facades on both sides. In the primary suite, a huge open bath, with his and hers vanity areas, a spacious soaking tub, and an oversized walk-in steam shower give the space a true sense of luxury. The immense kitchen was completely updated, and the adjacent pantry was doubled in size to include a built-in small appliance area and a unique flower prep sink.
The homeowners’ collection of art, statuary, and masks from around the globe were a huge factor in planning the renovations. Their treasures are displayed throughout the reimagined space, and their eclectic sense of style makes the home uniquely their own.
NOT TOO SHABBY
JOHN MCCAIN PHOTOGRAPHY, Photography
MARISOL GULLO, Designer
Marisol and Tony Gullo have worked in fine furniture design and manufacturing, then opened retail outlets to showcase their custom creations. Full interior design services followed, and the couple developed a clientele and an image as their operation grew. One project along the way was a four-year-old home in the heart of Alys Beach. The homeowners wanted to give the home a new look and feel, and turned to Marisol for guidance.
The home occupies a prime position in the development, with great water views, a spectacular roof-top deck, a beautiful pool, a landscaped courtyard, and a cozy, private casita for guests. The house was structurally sound and needed only paint, furnishings, and accessories. The homeowner had clear ideas of what they wanted – lots of white, mainly. Marisol was able to source most things from her stores and her sizable warehouse. One special piece was designed and crafted by Marisol and her husband Tony specifically for the space. The massive dining table is made of ancient weathered cypress with the wood’s fissures and cavities filled with white epoxy, creating a functional, unique piece of art. “This piece is truly one of a kind,” says Marisol. “It is like nothing else in the world, and it belongs to this space and these people alone. The warm wood, with its age and imperfections, breaks up the whiteness and draws all eyes toward it.”
The Not Too Shabby retail shops and showrooms continue to provide Marisol with furniture and accessories for her own clients, but they also serve other designers and are open to homeowners as well. They are committed to promoting good design and helping people incorporate it into their homes and their lives.
MELANIE MARTIN’S DREAM HOME
GREG RIEGLER & SUMMER DAVIS, Photography
MELANIE MARTIN, Designer
JP LOPER CONSTRUCTION, Builder
MCCOLLOUGH ARCHITECTURE, Architect
When interior designer Melanie Martin planned her own dream home, she knew that location was the first and most important decision. She selected Ono Island, which had sentimental meaning to her on a personal level and great appeal from a practical standpoint. Martin had amassed over the years an extensive collection of art and artifacts from her global travels, and wanted a space where she could display her treasures, including works by her artist son. She also wanted a comfortable home, one where she could entertain her friends and where she could have her three granddaughters – and their two dogs – visit and feel at home.
Martin was able to create a home that addressed all these needs. The 4,000 square foot home features four bedrooms, four and a half baths, a heated pool, a long pier, and a boathouse. The design focused on the connectivity of indoors and outdoors; there even are retractable glass panels that allow the living area to expand and encompass the patio and pool. The open kitchen, with its ebony and gold accents, provides a dramatic contrast to the serene shades of whites and cream that define the living area. The second floor contains the primary suite, a guest suite, and an expansive area designed for the grandchildren, with ample space and amazing views. The primary suite is the epitome of restrained luxury, and includes a double- sided fireplace between the bedroom and the bath. The bathroom itself features a freestanding sculptural tub, an open shower, and a floating vanity, and is illuminated by a dazzling bubble chandelier. The entire master suite features retractable ceiling panels that open to the balcony and the sky.
The outdoors is largely focused on the heated pool, which is adjacent to the patio and is surrounded by slabs of shellstone interspersed with artificial turf, and the yard is filled with native palm trees leading to the pier and boathouse, completing the home’s hypnotic island feel.
BURNT PINES SANDESTIN
JOHN MCCAIN PHOTOGRAPHY, Photography
GARY KILLOUGH, Designer
The community of Burnt Pines, within the Sandestin community, provided the perfect opportunity for a homeowner who was downsizing, but wanted to make use of her beautiful art, artifacts, and antiques. The homeowner and her interior designer spent over a year transforming the three bedroom home into a backdrop for her collections of visual art, crystal, and antique rugs, and the end result was a home that was both livable and sophisticated. The focus was on creating the perfect backdrop for the owner’s treasures, while maximizing the indoor-outdoor connectivity.
The renovations began with the entry courtyard, which has a slate floor and a cool Mediterranean vibe. The designer added a dramatic antique terra-cotta tile to the half-wall that screens the courtyard, providing a focal point that balances the immense clay planters on the other side. Inside the courtyard gate, he capitalized on the existing fountain with its jasmine-covered grille and the faux bois concrete outdoor furniture. From the foyer, which features a blue ceiling and a dramatic purple powder room that contains a hatbox toilet and a vessel sink. Beyond the foyer is the living room, with dramatic artwork perfectly framed by the arched opening into the room. The living area flows seamlessly into the dining space and beyond to the kitchen with its ice-blue quartzite countertops that continue the blue theme in a subtle way.
The primary suite, which includes a spacious bedroom, a cozy sitting room, and bath, features tones of lavender and cream, including a lavender silk duvet and matching mirrored bedside chests, and is anchored by a dramatic Tibetan rug. The first floor guest room boasts a French feel with its iron canopy bed and two matching French commodes topped with cut glass lamps. The living spaces open onto a walled loggia with bluestone floor and casual outdoor seating, and on the other side of the house is a lanai leading to the pool and lushly landscaped yard.
PERFECTION IS IN THE DETAILS
COLLEEN DUFFLEY, Photography
BUNNY HALL, PERFECT PLAN, Designer
The community of Burnt Pines, within the Sandestin
community, provided the perfect opportunity for a homeowner who was downsizing, but wanted to make use of her beautiful art, artifacts, and antiques. The homeowner and her interior designer spent over a year transforming the three bedroom home into a backdrop for her collections of visual art, crystal, and antique rugs, and the end result was a home that was both livable and sophisticated. The focus was on creating the perfect backdrop for the owner’s treasures, while maximizing the indoor-outdoor connectivity.
The renovations began with the entry courtyard, which has a slate floor and a cool Mediterranean vibe. The designer added a dramatic antique terra-cotta tile to the half-wall that screens the courtyard, providing a focal point that balances the immense clay planters on the other side. Inside the courtyard gate, he capitalized on the existing fountain with its jasmine-covered grille and the faux bois concrete outdoor furniture. From the foyer, which features a blue ceiling and a dramatic purple powder room that contains a hatbox toilet and a vessel sink. Beyond the foyer is the living room, with dramatic artwork perfectly framed by the arched opening into the room. The living area flows seamlessly into the dining space and beyond to the kitchen with its ice-blue quartzite countertops that continue the blue theme in a subtle way.
The primary suite, which includes a spacious bedroom, a cozy sitting room, and bath, features tones of lavender and cream, including a lavender silk duvet and matching mirrored bedside chests, and is anchored by a dramatic Tibetan rug. The first-floor guest room boasts a French feel with its iron canopy bed and two matching French commodes topped with cut glass lamps. The living spaces open onto a walled loggia with bluestone floor and casual outdoor seating, and on the other side of the house is a lanai leading to the pool and lushly landscaped yard.
MCCONNELL HOME • BEACH GLAM
PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAN, Photography
LINZI MCCONNELL, Designer
JEREMY TRANTINA, JAT SPECIALTIES, Builder
A Nashville couple and their three children enjoyed their vacation condo at Blue Mountain Beach for years, but as the youngsters left the nest, the two realized they were ready to make the area their full-time home. Once they found the perfect lot, they began to identify their priorities and worked with their design team to make their dream a reality. A pool was at the top of the list, and they wanted it at the center of the home. The end result was a huge success, as every room on the ground floor opens onto the pool. The pool may be at the center of the home, but the kitchen is its heart. The oversized island has ample seating for a crowd, dramatic blue cabinets provide excellent storage, and high-end appliances and custom tile work round out the space. Dramatic metal and crystal light fixtures and sleek modern furnishings complete the area.
The living room features dramatic artwork and cozy but modern seating, with plush fabrics and soft surfaces. The dining area is anchored by a custom three-dimensional wooden wall, set off by linear dining furniture and a crystal chandelier. The two bedrooms on the first floor continue the theme of blues against white with dramatic accents showing up in artwork, pillows, and window coverings. The attached baths rely on contrasts – gold and black, crisp tile and soft fabrics – and plenty of luxurious touches. The staircase to the second floor is a work of art, with glass walls, metal railings, and wooden treads. The upstairs contains three bedrooms and a bunk room, each with its own bath, and a home office.
The outdoor spaces received as much attention as the interior. The pool area and the spaces around the pool are landscaped and furnished in the same bright colors used inside the home. Plants are in containers and were chosen for their bright colors and low maintenance, making the area seem meticulously groomed with little effort.
REGATTA BAY • BAY RETREAT
RANDY HAMILTON, Photography
ALLYSON RUNNELS, Designer
BOB CHATHAM, Home Designer
VDT CONSTRUCTION, Builder
This Ono Island home was created as a forever home for a young family, who essentially designed the home themselves to meet their very specific needs. “It was important for us to achieve a look and feel that would provide our family and guests with a calm, relaxing environment. We designed the home to be accommodating to all our needs as our children grew up and to provide a welcoming vibe for our guests,” the homeowners noted. “We designed the house with our family needs in mind, with family-friendly outdoor space for play as well as for entertaining, and child-focused indoor space for play and learning.”
The expansive open kitchen is truly the heart of the home, with white quartz countertops and twin white custom cabinets, plus double islands that provide ample prep space and plenty of seating and lots of space for entertaining. Wide plank oak flooring and twelve-foot wooden ceilings, plus wooden accents in other places provide subtle warmth throughout, and floor to ceiling windows allow natural light to flood the open living space.
The adult members of the family were by no means shortchanged, with a primary bedroom that is at once cozy and expansive, a place of tranquility, an escape that is at once serene and private. The adjacent bathroom features Italian marble and custom lighting, evoking a spa-like ambience. The space’s real showpiece, however, is the cast-iron soaking tub.
The home’s exterior, from the patterned turf leading up the drive, to the backyard patio and the L-shaped pool surrounded by lush green grass, and the calm waters of the Ono River just beyond create a modern yet timeless setting that any family would enjoy and cherish.
