Parisian dining rooms are often designed to be both functional and beautiful, with an emphasis on creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that encourages conversation and conviviality. From the elegant table settings to the decorative lighting fixtures and artwork, every element of the dining room is carefully chosen to enhance the overall ambiance and make guests feel welcome.

Scott Lowell, Lowell Management, Lake Geneva, WI
Inspiration for a cottage bedroom remodel in Milwaukee

A master bedroom in a Paris apartment is a personal sanctuary that reflects your unique style and taste. Whether you prefer classic elegance or contemporary chic, there is no limit to the possibilities for creating a luxurious and comfortable space. With plush bedding, ample storage, and en-suite bathrooms that offer modern amenities, a master bedroom in a Paris apartment is the ultimate retreat. The decor can vary widely, from ornate furnishings and vintage accents to modern minimalist styles, but the focus is always on creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that encourages relaxation. Overall, a master bedroom in a Paris apartment is a space that is uniquely yours, offering the perfect blend of style, comfort, and luxury.

The customers loved our R-Blade modern pergola design that could match the architecture of the mansion. These automated louvered roof systems allow for better climate management while also offering natural ventilation. This is all due to the in-built sensor system that detects the weather in real-time and reacts accordingly. For example, the rain sensors automatically close the blades, while the wind sensors find the perfect setting in case of strong winds to keep you and your guests comfortable. This was the perfect solution for this Palm Beach county mansion in Bear’s Club, Jupiter, FL, with its 800 sq. ft. space that boasts of wooden floors, a recording studio, dedicated game room, and other features. The challenges of louvered pergola design for this project Working on this special project with very exacting requirements was a very exciting challenge. 1- Three zones with different heights This modern pergola design covers three zones with different heights – a living area, dining area, and an outdoor kitchen. Additionally, the customer wanted elaborate outdoor seating with no more than 8 spot beams, 16 LED lights, and a unique drainage system that had to be tied into the pipe under the gradient. 2 – Re-engineer our gutter system that prevents leakage A super gutter was attached to the upper beam taking water from the main roof down a separate post, resulting in a neat design that’s perfect for this luxury mansion. The customer also required a fully functional outdoor kitchen where practicality, technology, and aesthetics could provide a contemporary feel to the environment. Our bio-climactic pergola served as a perfect design feature for meeting all these needs – while also sheltering from atmospheric agents. We designed the modern pergola with our sturdy and functional technology that provides a well-engineered solution to safeguard the deck from heavy rain and sunlight. This provides our customers with a beautiful and comfortable space to entertain friends and family members with a spectacular view. Outside features and Azenco’s solutions All in all, we had to create an indoor-outdoor living room for this Bear’s Club mansion. The luxury pergola had to match high standards and stand out from the rest of the architecture. That’s why it was crafted in solid mahogany. Before its renovation, this was just the huge yard with a pool. But now, it’s the perfect indoor-outdoor area with casual rattan furniture and a tridimensional automated pergola that brings out the latest technology in home automation. The large cooking area is spacious enough to accommodate a barbecue. But as chic and elegant as it looks, it can be super hard to maintain an outdoor kitchen since it is easily exposed by atmospheric agents. However, the bio-climactic pergola offers it much-needed protection as it safeguards all your appliances, surfaces, and cooking items from excess heat and winds.

Quaint and cozy bedrooms with a view can offer a peaceful and relaxing retreat that brings the beauty of nature into the home. A quaint and cozy bedroom is typically designed with a warm and inviting ambiance that encourages relaxation and rest. This can be achieved through the use of soft lighting, comfortable bedding, and tasteful decor that creates a calming atmosphere. The addition of a view can further enhance the peaceful atmosphere by providing a picturesque backdrop that can be enjoyed from the comfort of the bed. The view can be of many different types of natural scenery, such as a mountain range, a lake, a forest, or a garden. It can be framed by large windows, a balcony, or a porch that allows for fresh air and natural light to flow into the room. Together, a quaint and cozy bedroom with a view can create a peaceful and rejuvenating space where you can escape from the stresses of daily life and unwind in the beauty of nature. It can be the perfect place to read a book, enjoy a cup of tea or coffee, or simply relax and enjoy the view.

Another unique feature of some Parisian apartment kitchens is the presence of a "cuisine américaine," or American-style kitchen. This is a relatively new concept in Parisian apartment design, where the kitchen is open to the living or dining area, creating a more spacious and social atmosphere. This layout is becoming increasingly popular among Parisians who value entertaining and spending time with family and friends. Additionally, American-style kitchens often feature modern appliances and plenty of counter space, making them more functional for cooking and entertaining.

The customers loved our R-Blade modern pergola design that could match the architecture of the mansion. These automated louvered roof systems allow for better climate management while also offering natural ventilation. This is all due to the in-built sensor system that detects the weather in real-time and reacts accordingly. For example, the rain sensors automatically close the blades, while the wind sensors find the perfect setting in case of strong winds to keep you and your guests comfortable. This was the perfect solution for this Palm Beach county mansion in Bear’s Club, Jupiter, FL, with its 800 sq. ft. space that boasts of wooden floors, a recording studio, dedicated game room, and other features. The challenges of louvered pergola design for this project Working on this special project with very exacting requirements was a very exciting challenge. 1- Three zones with different heights This modern pergola design covers three zones with different heights – a living area, dining area, and an outdoor kitchen. Additionally, the customer wanted elaborate outdoor seating with no more than 8 spot beams, 16 LED lights, and a unique drainage system that had to be tied into the pipe under the gradient. 2 – Re-engineer our gutter system that prevents leakage A super gutter was attached to the upper beam taking water from the main roof down a separate post, resulting in a neat design that’s perfect for this luxury mansion. The customer also required a fully functional outdoor kitchen where practicality, technology, and aesthetics could provide a contemporary feel to the environment. Our bio-climactic pergola served as a perfect design feature for meeting all these needs – while also sheltering from atmospheric agents. We designed the modern pergola with our sturdy and functional technology that provides a well-engineered solution to safeguard the deck from heavy rain and sunlight. This provides our customers with a beautiful and comfortable space to entertain friends and family members with a spectacular view. Outside features and Azenco’s solutions All in all, we had to create an indoor-outdoor living room for this Bear’s Club mansion. The luxury pergola had to match high standards and stand out from the rest of the architecture. That’s why it was crafted in solid mahogany. Before its renovation, this was just the huge yard with a pool. But now, it’s the perfect indoor-outdoor area with casual rattan furniture and a tridimensional automated pergola that brings out the latest technology in home automation. The large cooking area is spacious enough to accommodate a barbecue. But as chic and elegant as it looks, it can be super hard to maintain an outdoor kitchen since it is easily exposed by atmospheric agents. However, the bio-climactic pergola offers it much-needed protection as it safeguards all your appliances, surfaces, and cooking items from excess heat and winds.

The customers loved our R-Blade modern pergola design that could match the architecture of the mansion. These automated louvered roof systems allow for better climate management while also offering natural ventilation. This is all due to the in-built sensor system that detects the weather in real-time and reacts accordingly. For example, the rain sensors automatically close the blades, while the wind sensors find the perfect setting in case of strong winds to keep you and your guests comfortable. This was the perfect solution for this Palm Beach county mansion in Bear’s Club, Jupiter, FL, with its 800 sq. ft. space that boasts of wooden floors, a recording studio, dedicated game room, and other features. The challenges of louvered pergola design for this project Working on this special project with very exacting requirements was a very exciting challenge. 1- Three zones with different heights This modern pergola design covers three zones with different heights – a living area, dining area, and an outdoor kitchen. Additionally, the customer wanted elaborate outdoor seating with no more than 8 spot beams, 16 LED lights, and a unique drainage system that had to be tied into the pipe under the gradient. 2 – Re-engineer our gutter system that prevents leakage A super gutter was attached to the upper beam taking water from the main roof down a separate post, resulting in a neat design that’s perfect for this luxury mansion. The customer also required a fully functional outdoor kitchen where practicality, technology, and aesthetics could provide a contemporary feel to the environment. Our bio-climactic pergola served as a perfect design feature for meeting all these needs – while also sheltering from atmospheric agents. We designed the modern pergola with our sturdy and functional technology that provides a well-engineered solution to safeguard the deck from heavy rain and sunlight. This provides our customers with a beautiful and comfortable space to entertain friends and family members with a spectacular view. Outside features and Azenco’s solutions All in all, we had to create an indoor-outdoor living room for this Bear’s Club mansion. The luxury pergola had to match high standards and stand out from the rest of the architecture. That’s why it was crafted in solid mahogany. Before its renovation, this was just the huge yard with a pool. But now, it’s the perfect indoor-outdoor area with casual rattan furniture and a tridimensional automated pergola that brings out the latest technology in home automation. The large cooking area is spacious enough to accommodate a barbecue. But as chic and elegant as it looks, it can be super hard to maintain an outdoor kitchen since it is easily exposed by atmospheric agents. However, the bio-climactic pergola offers it much-needed protection as it safeguards all your appliances, surfaces, and cooking items from excess heat and winds.

Scott Lowell, Lowell Management, Lake Geneva, WI
Inspiration for a farmhouse family room remodel in Milwaukee

Dining rooms in Parisian apartments are often seen as the heart of the home, serving not only as a place to enjoy meals, but also as a gathering spot for family and friends. In France, meals are seen as a social occasion to be enjoyed with others, and dining rooms are designed to facilitate conversation, connection, and conviviality. As such, they are often decorated with care and attention to detail, with a focus on creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere that encourages relaxation, enjoyment, and good company.

The living room in a Parisian apartment is typically characterized by its elegant and sophisticated ambiance. It is often spacious, with high ceilings, large windows, and ornate moldings. The décor is usually a mix of traditional and modern styles, with plush sofas and armchairs, ornate coffee tables, and vibrant artworks adorning the walls. The color palette tends to be muted and neutral, with occasional pops of color in the form of accent pieces. Overall, the living room in a Parisian apartment exudes a sense of luxury and refinement, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere for residents and guests alike.

A master bedroom with vintage decor in a Paris apartment is a charming and elegant space that combines the best of old-world charm with modern amenities. These bedrooms typically feature classic furnishings and decor, such as ornate headboards, antique mirrors, and vintage lighting fixtures. The color palette may include muted shades of green, blue, or gold, evoking a sense of nostalgia and timeless elegance. Despite the vintage decor, these master bedrooms often feature modern amenities such as plush bedding, en-suite bathrooms, and ample storage space. With their warm and inviting atmosphere, a master bedroom with vintage decor in a Paris apartment is the perfect retreat for those seeking a blend of classic and contemporary styles.

A living room in a Parisian apartment is typically characterized by a chic and sophisticated ambiance, featuring high ceilings, large windows, and elegant architectural details such as moldings and decorative fireplaces. The room may be furnished with a comfortable sofa or a set of stylish armchairs, a coffee table, and perhaps a bookshelf or a piece of art to add a personal touch. Soft lighting from chandeliers or lamps may create a cozy atmosphere, while the hardwood floors and ornate rugs add warmth and texture to the space. Overall, the living room in a Parisian apartment embodies the city's classic charm and refined taste.

THE SETUP Originally an empty front living room, this space offered a blank canvas for transformation. Alicia’s client — a financial wealth management professional facing a career shift towards more home-based work — was excited to make it her new office. Capitalizing on the space’s abundant natural light, perfect for on-camera meetings, Alicia helped convert the area into a primary workspace. Design Objectives: - Create a functional and professional home office Cultivate an aesthetic that is both comfortable and feminine - Optimize the office for the space’s ideal lighting and provide an appealing background for virtual meetings Design Challenges: - Transforming a large, undefined space into a structured, functional office - Selecting a color palette that enhances focus and professionalism, balanced with a feminine touch - Strategically placing the desk to maximize functionality and aesthetics within the large area Incorporating solutions for effective real-time stock trade tracking and analog task management THE RENEWED SPACE Design Solutions: Workspace Configuration: Centered the desk to utilize indirect light, ideal for video calls, while providing a commanding view of the office, the outdoors and the entrance. A floor-installed power outlet under the desk ensures a clean, cord-free setup. Aesthetic and Palette: Anchored by a striking wallpaper chosen by the client, Alicia developed a soft, neutral color scheme that complements the room’s black window frames and maintains a feminine touch. Digital Integration: Included a screen dedicated to monitoring daily stock trends, positioned for easy viewing. The energy efficient monitor doubles as artwork when not in use, seamlessly blending functionality with style. Organizational Features: Implemented dual large bulletin boards for task and project tracking, integrating them aesthetically with custom cabinetry and interesting, yet subdued, fabric backing. Our client is thrilled with her new home office, which not only meets her professional needs but also adds comfort and style to her daily work routine. The space is highly functional for both solo work and client appointments, providing a perfect blend of business professionalism and personal comfort. It embodies the essence of a #girlboss, combining a professional atmosphere with feminine elegance, making every workday enjoyable and productive.

A not-big-but-cozy master bedroom in a Paris apartment is the perfect space for those seeking comfort and elegance on a smaller scale. While these rooms may be more modest in size, they make up for it with their warm and inviting decor, plush bedding, and tasteful accents. The focus is on creating a cozy atmosphere that invites relaxation, with soft lighting and comfortable seating areas that are perfect for unwinding after a long day. Despite their smaller size, these master bedrooms often feature ample storage space and en-suite bathrooms with modern amenities, ensuring that residents have everything they need for a comfortable and convenient stay. Overall, a not-big-but-cozy master bedroom in a Paris apartment is a charming and delightful space that offers the ultimate in comfort and style.

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This contemporary conservatory located in Hamilton, Massachusetts features our solid Sapele mahogany custom glass roof system and Andersen 400 series casement windows and doors. Our client desired a space that would offer an outdoor feeling alongside unique and luxurious additions such as a corner fireplace and custom accent lighting. The combination of the full glass wall façade and hip roof design provides tremendous light levels during the day, while the fully functional fireplace and warm lighting creates an amazing atmosphere at night. This pairing is truly the best of both worlds and is exactly what our client had envisioned. Acting as the full service design/build firm, Sunspace Design, Inc. poured the full basement foundation for utilities and added storage. Our experienced craftsmen added an exterior deck for outdoor dining and direct access to the backyard. The new space has eleven operable windows as well as air conditioning and heat to provide year-round comfort. A new set of French doors provides an elegant transition from the existing house while also conveying light to the adjacent rooms. Sunspace Design, Inc. worked closely with the client and Siemasko + Verbridge Architecture in Beverly, Massachusetts to develop, manage and build every aspect of this beautiful project. As a result, the client can now enjoy a warm fire while watching the winter snow fall outside. The architectural elements of the conservatory are bolstered by our use of high performance glass with excellent light transmittance, solar control, and insulating values. Sunspace Design, Inc. has unlimited design capabilities and uses all in-house craftsmen to manufacture and build its conservatories, orangeries, and sunrooms as well as its custom skylights and roof lanterns. Using solid conventional wall framing along with the best windows and doors from top manufacturers, we can easily blend these spaces with the design elements of each individual home. For architects and designers we offer an excellent service that enables the architect to develop the concept while we provide the technical drawings to transform the idea to reality. For builders, we can provide the glass portion of a project while they perform all of the traditional construction, just as they would on any project. As craftsmen and builders ourselves, we work with these groups to create seamless transition between their work and ours. For more information on our company, please visit our website at www.sunspacedesign.com and follow us on facebook at www.facebook.com/sunspacedesigninc Photography: Brian O'Connor

Stuart Wade, Envision Virtual Tours The second-largest and most developed of Georgia's barrier islands, St. Simons is approximately twelve miles long and nearly three miles wide at its widest stretch (roughly the size of Manhattan Island in New York). The island is located in Glynn County on Georgia's coast and lies east of Brunswick (the seat of Glynn County), south of Little St. Simons Island and the Hampton River, and north of Jekyll Island. The resort community of Sea Island is separated from St. Simons on the east by the Black Banks River. Known for its oak tree canopies and historic landmarks, St. Simons is both a tourist destination and, according to the 2010 U.S. census, home to 12,743 residents. Early History The earliest St. Simons Island Village record of human habitation on the island dates to the Late Archaic Period, about 5,000 to 3,000 years ago. Remnants of shell rings left behind by Native Americans from this era survive on many of the barrier islands, including St. Simons. Centuries later, during the period known by historians as the chiefdom era, the Guale Indians established a chiefdom centered on St. Catherines Island and used St. Simons as their hunting and fishing grounds. By 1500 the Guale had established a permanent village of about 200 people on St. Simons, which they called Guadalquini. Beginning in 1568, the Spanish attempted to create missions along the Georgia coast. Catholic missions were the primary means by which Georgia's indigenous Native American chiefdoms were assimilated into the Spanish colonial system along the northern frontier of greater Spanish Florida. In the 1600s St. Simons became home to two Spanish missions: San Buenaventura de Guadalquini, on the southern tip of the island, and Santo Domingo de Asao (or Asajo), on the northern tip. Located on the inland side of the island were the pagan refugee villages of San Simón, the island's namesake, and Ocotonico. In 1684 pirate raids left the missions and villages largely abandoned. Colonial History As Fort Frederica early as 1670, with Great Britain's establishment of the colony of Carolina and its expansion into Georgia territory, Spanish rule was threatened by the English. The Georgia coast was considered "debatable land" by England and Spain, even though Spain had fully retreated from St. Simons by 1702. Thirty-one years later General James Edward Oglethorpe founded the English settlement of Savannah. In 1736 he established Fort Frederica, named after the heir to the British throne, Frederick Louis, prince of Wales, on the west side of St. Simons Island to protect Savannah and the Carolinas from the Spanish threat. Between 1736 and 1749 Fort Frederica was the hub of British military operations along the Georgia frontier. A town of the same name grew up around the fort and was of great importance to the new colony. By 1740 Frederica's population was 1,000. In 1736 the congregation of what would become Christ Church was organized within Fort Frederica as a mission of the Church of England. Charles Wesley led the first services. In 1742 Britain's decisive victory over Spain in the Battle of Bloody Marsh, during the War of Jenkins' Ear, ended the Spanish threat to the Georgia coast. When the British regimen disbanded in 1749, most of the townspeople relocated to the mainland. Fort Frederica went into decline and, except for a short time of prosperity during the 1760s and 1770s under the leadership of merchant James Spalding, never fully recovered. Today the historic citadel's tabby ruins are maintained by the National Park Service. Plantation Era By the start of the American Revolution (1775-83), Fort Frederica was obsolete, and St. Simons was left largely uninhabited as most of its residents joined the patriot army. Besides hosting a small Georgia naval victory on the Fort Frederica River, providing guns from its famous fort for use at Fort Morris in Sunbury, and serving as an arena for pillaging by privateers and British soldiers, the island played almost no role in the war. Following the war, many of the townspeople, their businesses destroyed, turned to agriculture. The island was transformed into fourteen cotton plantations after acres of live oak trees were cleared for farm land and used for building American warships, including the famous USS Constitution, or "Old Ironsides." Although rice was the predominant crop along the neighboring Altamaha River, St. Simons was known for its production of long-staple cotton, which soon came to be known as Sea Island cotton. Between Ebos Landing the 1780s and the outbreak of the Civil War (1861-65), St. Simons's plantation culture flourished. The saline atmosphere and the availability of cheap slave labor proved an ideal combination for the cultivation of Sea Island cotton. In 1803 a group of Ebo slaves who survived the Middle Passage and arrived on the west side of St. Simons staged a rebellion and drowned themselves. The sacred site is known today as Ebos Landing. One of the largest owners of land and slaves on St. Simons was Pierce Butler, master of Hampton Point Plantation, located on the northern end of the island. By 1793 Butler owned more than 500 slaves, who cultivated 800 acres of cotton on St. Simons and 300 acres of rice on Butler's Island in the Altamaha River delta. Butler's grandson, Pierce Mease Butler, who at the age of sixteen inherited a share of his grandfather's estate in 1826, was responsible for the largest sale of human beings in the history of the United States: in 1859, to restore his squandered fortune, he sold 429 slaves in Savannah for more than $300,000. The British actress and writer Fanny Kemble, whose tumultuous marriage to Pierce ended in divorce in 1849, published an eyewitness account of the evils of slavery on St. Simons in her book Journal of a Residence on a Georgian Plantation in 1838-1839 (1863). Another Retreat Plantation large owner of land and slaves on St. Simons was Major William Page, a friend and employee of Pierce Butler Sr. Before purchasing Retreat Plantation on the southwestern tip of the island in 1804, Page managed the Hampton plantation and Butler's Island. Upon Page's death in 1827, Thomas Butler King inherited the land together with his wife, Page's daughter, Anna Matilda Page King. King expanded his father-in-law's planting empire on St. Simons as well as on the mainland, and by 1835 Retreat Plantation alone was home to as many as 355 slaves. The center of life during the island's plantation era was Christ Church, Frederica. Organized in 1807 by a group of island planters, the Episcopal church is the second oldest in the Diocese of Georgia. Embargoes imposed by the War of 1812 (1812-15) prevented the parishioners from building a church structure, so they worshiped in the home of John Beck, which stood on the site of Oglethorpe's only St. Simons residence, Orange Hall. The first Christ Church building, finished on the present site in 1820, was ruined by occupying Union troops during the Civil War. In 1884 the Reverend Anson Dodge Jr. rebuilt the church as a memorial to his first wife, Ellen. The cruciform building with a trussed gothic roof and stained-glass windows remains active today as Christ Church. Civil War and Beyond The St. Simons Island Lighthouse outbreak of the Civil War in 1861 put a sudden end to St. Simons's lucrative plantation era. In January of that year, Confederate troops were stationed at the south end of the island to guard the entrance to Brunswick Harbor. Slaves from Retreat Plantation, owned by Thomas Butler King, built earthworks and batteries. Plantation residents were scattered—the men joined the Confederate army and their families moved to the mainland. Cannon fire was heard on the island in December 1861, and Confederate troops retreated in February 1862, after dynamiting the lighthouse to keep its beacon from aiding Union troops. Soon thereafter, Union troops occupied the island, which was used as a camp for freed slaves. By August 1862 more than 500 former slaves lived on St. Simons, including Susie King Taylor, who organized a school for freed slave children. But in November the ex-slaves were taken to Hilton Head, South Carolina, and Fernandina, Florida, leaving the island abandoned. After the Civil War the island never returned to its status as an agricultural community. The plantations lay dormant because there were no slaves to work the fields. After Union general William T. Sherman's January 1865 Special Field Order No. 15 —a demand that former plantations be divided and distributed to former slaves—was overturned by U.S. president Andrew Johnson less than a year later, freedmen and women were forced to work as sharecroppers on the small farms that dotted the land previously occupied by the sprawling plantations. By St. Simons Lumber Mills 1870 real economic recovery began with the reestablishment of the timber industry. Norman Dodge and Titus G. Meigs of New York set up lumber mill operations at Gascoigne Bluff, formerly Hamilton Plantation. The lumber mills provided welcome employment for both blacks and whites and also provided mail and passenger boats to the mainland. Such water traffic, together with the construction of a new lighthouse in 1872, designed by architect Charles B. Cluskey, marked the beginning of St. Simons's tourism industry. The keeper of the lighthouse created a small amusement park, which drew many visitors, as did the seemingly miraculous light that traveled from the top of the lighthouse tower to the bottom. The island became a summer retreat for families from the mainland, particularly from Baxley, Brunswick, and Waycross. The island's resort industry was thriving by the 1880s. Beachfront structures, such as a new pier and grand hotel, were built on the southeastern end of the island and could be accessed by ferry. Around this time wealthy northerners began vacationing on the island. Twentieth Century The St. Simons Island Pier and Village opening in 1924 of the Brunswick–St. Simons Highway, today known as the Torras Causeway, was a milestone in the development of resorts in the area. St. Simons's beaches were now easily accessible to locals and tourists alike. More than 5,000 automobiles took the short drive from Brunswick to St. Simons via the causeway on its opening day, paving the way for convenient residential and resort development. In 1926 automotive pioneer Howard Coffin of Detroit, Michigan, bought large tracts of land on St. Simons, including the former Retreat Plantation, and constructed a golf course, yacht club, paved roads, and a residential subdivision. Although the causeway had brought large numbers of summer people to the island, St. Simons remained a small community with only a few hundred permanent residents until the 1940s. The St. Simons Island outbreak of World War II (1941-45) brought more visitors and residents to St. Simons. Troops stationed at Jacksonville, Florida; Savannah; and nearby Camp Stewart took weekend vacations on the island, and a new naval air base and radar school became home to even more officers and soldiers. The increased wartime population brought the island its first public school. With a major shipyard for the production of Liberty ships in nearby Brunswick, the waters of St. Simons became active with German U-boats. In April 1942, just off the coast, the Texas Company oil tanker S. S. Oklahoma and the S. S. Esso Baton Rouge were torpedoed by the Germans, bringing the war very close to home for island residents. Due in large part to the military's improvement of the island's infrastructure during the war, development on the island boomed in the 1950s and 1960s. More permanent homes and subdivisions were built, and the island was no longer just a summer resort but also a thriving community. In 1950 the Methodist conference and retreat center Epworth by the Sea opened on Gascoigne Bluff. In 1961 novelist Eugenia Price visited St. Simons and began work on her first works of fiction, known as the St. Simons Trilogy. Inspired by real events on the island, Price's trilogy renewed interest in the history of Georgia's coast, and the novelist herself relocated to the island in 1965 and lived there for thirty-one years. St. Simons is also home to contemporary Georgia writer Tina McElroy Ansa. Since Epworth by the Sea 1980 St. Simons's population has doubled. The island's continued status as a vacation destination and its ongoing development boom have put historic landmarks and natural areas at risk. While such landmarks as the Fort Frederica ruins and the Battle of Bloody Marsh site are preserved and maintained by the National Park Service, and while the historic lighthouse is maintained by the Coastal Georgia Historical Society, historic Ebos Landing has been taken over by a sewage treatment plant. Several coastal organizations have formed in recent years to save natural areas on the island. The St. Simons Land Trust, for example, has received donations of large tracts of land and plans to protect property in the island's three traditional African American neighborhoods. Despite its rapid growth and development, St. Simons remains one of the most beautiful and important islands on the Georgia coast.

Our Seattle studio designed this stunning 5,000+ square foot Snohomish home to make it comfortable and fun for a wonderful family of six. On the main level, our clients wanted a mudroom. So we removed an unused hall closet and converted the large full bathroom into a powder room. This allowed for a nice landing space off the garage entrance. We also decided to close off the formal dining room and convert it into a hidden butler's pantry. In the beautiful kitchen, we created a bright, airy, lively vibe with beautiful tones of blue, white, and wood. Elegant backsplash tiles, stunning lighting, and sleek countertops complete the lively atmosphere in this kitchen. On the second level, we created stunning bedrooms for each member of the family. In the primary bedroom, we used neutral grasscloth wallpaper that adds texture, warmth, and a bit of sophistication to the space creating a relaxing retreat for the couple. We used rustic wood shiplap and deep navy tones to define the boys' rooms, while soft pinks, peaches, and purples were used to make a pretty, idyllic little girls' room. In the basement, we added a large entertainment area with a show-stopping wet bar, a large plush sectional, and beautifully painted built-ins. We also managed to squeeze in an additional bedroom and a full bathroom to create the perfect retreat for overnight guests. For the decor, we blended in some farmhouse elements to feel connected to the beautiful Snohomish landscape. We achieved this by using a muted earth-tone color palette, warm wood tones, and modern elements. The home is reminiscent of its spectacular views – tones of blue in the kitchen, primary bathroom, boys' rooms, and basement; eucalyptus green in the kids' flex space; and accents of browns and rust throughout.