IT IS ALL IN THE HUE

The Colors of Rosemary Beach

by Bret Azzarelli, Rosemary Beach Town Architect

STROLLING THROUGH ROSEMARY BEACH, WE FEEL A SENSE OF CALM FAMILIARITY WITH OUR SURROUNDINGS. Tree-lined streets, quiet boardwalks, parks and the sights and sounds of the Gulf greet us along the way and give us a feeling of comfort, not wanting to rush. Complementing the natural landscape, are the colors of the town’s buildings, homes and exterior/architectural accents which provide a unique, individual and engaging tone to express the distinctiveness of Rosemary Beach. The colors of Rosemary Beach have a long tradition of being specifically tailored to each home. The consistent use of neutral colors of white, cream, taupe or gray on the masonry serve as an anchor to the dunes below and provide a level of consistency at eye level. A variety of tones, colors and textures on the upper wood floors or other details help provide interest and solidity against the sparkling blue sky. The architectural traditions that were adopted during the development of Rosemary Beach homes were inspired by design elements from communities in the West Indies, Saint Augustine and New Orleans, while public buildings such as Town Hall and The Post Office adopt more clean and subtle architectural elements and detailing inspired by the Dutch design influences of Curaçao. This design tradition was adopted and has continued as our town has matured. You can learn more about some of these homes and buildings below. During the initial design and construction phase, colors were selected for houses to be unique from their immediate neighbors, resulting in a broad color palette gracing the views down the Boardwalks and streets. This attention to detail and varied color selection, especially relating to the masonry and wood balconies of Main Street and Barrett Square, allowed Rosemary Beach to be selected among the “39 Most Beautiful Main Streets Across America” by Architectural Digest in December of 2021. Color is also used to accent material differences and add interest and distinction to each property. A great example of a simple color scheme that provides a strong presence on the boardwalk and beachfront is the house on walkover “E” located at 26 S. Falmouth Lane. Designed by Gary Justiss, the home maintains the original unique vision of a white stucco first floor, providing a plinth for the second-floor veranda of natural cypress columns, ceilings and handrails. The natural shake roof continues the simple colors and materials. While almost monochromatic, the overall selection is appropriate to the architecture and beachfront location and sets this home apart from all its neighbors. Accent colors with the appropriate placement can allow those walking by or visiting to recognize the distinct architecture. The house and carriage house located at 219 E. Water Street maintains the original color scheme first selected by town architect Architect Eric Watson as his own home. The house is a straightforward white stucco with a transparent black stain on the second-floor siding, black brackets and balconies. A simple but striking use of red and black on the shutters gives this home a signature detail that fits perfectly and adds interest to the streetscape. Polly and Jay Schaudies selected the colors for their home at 349 E. Water Street to reflect the purest Rosemary Beach color tradition: Cream-colored masonry, gray siding and deep blue columns and brackets to provide the stability of the house form. The use of bright yellow shutters in a single location provides interest and recognition to the home. Behind most houses, there is a story. In the architecture of George Israel, the stories unfold and are reinforced by color. The brief story behind the Lepley Cottage at 11 Wiggle Lane is that a boy planted beach glass collected over generations and eventually, the glass grew into a house. The use of multiple colors on the body of the house, porches, brackets and even paving allows the story to come alive and creates one of the most unique homes on West Long Green Park. From a business perspective, the Rosemary Beach Inn was envisioned as a simple “Pensione” reminiscent of something we would find in a historic coastal village. Solid masonry, finished in smooth stucco with a color selected to reinforce warmth and signal hospitality. The integral color stucco allows the intensity of the color to change through the day and through the seasons. A cornerstone of Main Street and of the Town, the building evokes history and tradition, and has truly become an icon of Rosemary Beach. While trends come and go and the latest home improvement episode may state what colors “should” be used, sensitive use of color in architecture is a timeless tradition. Rosemary Beach focuses on a color tradition that strengthens the unique town we all enjoy. While maintenance is required and modifications are inevitable, colors will be used, unique details will be accented and the place we know as Rosemary Beach will always be a feast for our eyes.

26 S. FALMOUTH LN.

11 WIGGLE LANE.

THE ROSEMARY BEACH INN, 79 MAIN STREET,

Philosophy of Color and Materials That Shape the Town of Rosemary Beach.

A rich palette of colors and architectural forms distinguish the houses of Rosemary Beach from our neighbors. The Rosemary Beach

Urban and Architectural Regulations were drafted after an in- depth study of classic, small, waterfront towns of the Caribbean and the southern United States. The adopted town plan and Architectural Regulations reflect the principles of design and material used in

West Indies, Saint Augustine, Charleston, and

New Orleans architecture. These traditions employed sustainable materials and finishes that would naturally patina in harsh climates, developing character, rather than simply aging. The architecture within these studiedw communities used a variety of colors to differentiate densely arranged properties from one another. This tradition has been adopted by Rosemary Beach and shall continue as our town matures. While maintenance is required and refreshing and modifications inevitable, we must maintain the character that has created the place we know as Rosemary Beach.

Guiding Principles of Colors and Materials in Rosemary Beach.

• Building Walls shall be one color per material used, lighter at the masonry base and darker at the second floor. • Stucco Color shall be warm in tone and in the off-white, buff, light warm grey range. Integral color stucco is strongly encouraged. When approved, paint for masonry applications shall have a flat finish. • All Exterior Wood Siding, including shingles, shall be stained, preferably on both sides. Marine oil may be used as a substitute for staining. The stain color shall provide significant contrast to any adjacent stucco or masonry color. • Trim (balcony and porch posts, rails, window trim, rafter tails, etc.) shall match the value of, or be darker than, the siding. • Corner boards on the body of the building shall be the same color as the wall color.

• An Accent Color, for items such as the front door, window sashes, pickets, porch balcony, trim, and shutters, may be used.

• Site Walls and Fences shall be in the range of colors approved for their respective materials.