Blend in a Well- Choreographed Dance A BOHEME DESIGN
DARRELL RUSSELL, JONATHAN HAMPEL & TEAM UNVEIL NEW OFFICE
DWELLINGS & ARCHITECTURE
$4,595,000
INTRODUCING THE ULTIMATE COASTAL RETREAT IN OLD SEAGROVE BEACH
Experience beach living at its finest in this stunning, custom-built luxury residence just one block from the pristine Holly Street beach access.
Enjoy a short stroll for cocktails, coffee, dining, shopping, and entertainment in Seagrove Beach and nearby Seaside. This exceptional property, with six bedrooms, five full baths, and two half-baths, embodies coastal elegance, with interiors by Katherine Hill of Dwellings 30A and Michelle Poole of Michelle Poole Design. A heated private pool, gas fire pit, and grilling porch outside your oversized glass doors combine the luxurious interiors with the retreat-like backyard. This is the kind of property that leaves you with that special feeling of comfort and relaxation—a place you’ll never want to leave!
For more information:
PHOTO BY JACK GARDNER
A TOWN OF IDEAS
You can’t finish a city in a day or a lifetime. All you can do is start. Rome was not built in a day but has actually spanned thousands of years. Seaside, on the other hand, has been continually created for 40 years as of 2023.
—Robert Davis Seaside Founder/Visionary
On the Cover
On San Marco Island, an affluent enclave of gorgeous luxury homes within the Biscayne Bay in Miami Beach, this architectural masterpiece is a testament to A BOHEME Design’s artistic prowess. Cofounder and principal architect Darrell Russell worked closely with homeowner Kristi Jernigan on the project, which is still one of the Venetian Islands’ most gorgeous residences. The pool deck overlooking the bay is stunning, and Russell says it’s one of the most spectacular parts of the home, as the primary suite overlooks it with beautiful north-facing views, allowing a wall of windows to keep cool during the day as the sun moves. As many of the firm’s homes along Northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast have south-facing views, this made for a change from the norm and is one of the designer’s favorite projects to date. See more on page 28!
Photo by Christopher Barrett
Vie is a French word meaning “life” or “way of living.” VIE magazine sets itself apart as a high-gloss publication that focuses on human-interest stories with heart and soul. From Seattle to NYC with a concentration in the Southeast, VIE is known for its unique editorial approach—a broad spectrum of deep content with rich photography. The award-winning magazine was founded in 2008 by husband-and-wife team Lisa and Gerald Burwell, owners of the specialty publishing and branding house known as The Idea Boutique®. From the finest artistically bound books to paperless digital publication and distribution, The Idea Boutique provides comprehensive publishing services to authors and organizations. Its team of creative professionals delivers a complete publishing experience—all that’s needed is your vision.
FEATURE
28 A Milestone Moment: A BOHEME Design Celebrates Fifteen Years
LA MAISON 27
35 L’intermission: Cultural Elegance with Okura Nikko Hotels
36 Celebrating Thirty-Five Years of Timeless Design: The Legacy of Chancey Design
40 Petite pause: Romer Hell’s Kitchen Hotel
42 Vibrant and Vivacious in New Orleans: Susan Lovelace Curates a Home with Love
50 Outdoor Living in Style: Maison30a Home + Garden Celebrates Five Years
54 Petite pause: Victoria McKenney of Enviable Designs
56 A Behind-the-Scenes Film Series: Real Wood Presents Crafted Stories with Eddie San Juan
60 A Home with je ne sais quoi: Luxury Living in Watersound Camp Creek
66 A Majestic Estate: Southern Charm Meets Asian Influence
72 Going Coastal with Bevolo Gas & Electric Lights
76 Saving an Architectural Treasure: Mies van der Rohe’s Villa Tugendhat
82 A Place to Call Home: Building for Life and Family
82 L’intermission: If These Trees Could Talk at Barnsley Resort
88 Presenting the Thirty-First Seaside Prize Celebration
SPECIAL EDITION: AN INSIDER’S GUIDE TO REAL ESTATE 91
92 The Heart of Community: Southern Elegance in Churchill Oaks
98 A Gulf-Front Hideaway in Carillon Beach
103 L’intermission: An Elevated Parisian Experience
104 Finding Peace at Kaiya Beach Resort
110 Growing with Purpose: Gulf-Front Dreams Come True in Alys Beach
112 Living Well on 30A: A Gulf-Front Oasis Offered by Linda Miller Real Estate
114 LOGAN LANE, SUITE 4 SANTA ROSA BEACH, FLORIDA 32459
JEAN ALLSOPP, LAUREN ATHALIA, MALI AZIMA, CHRISTOPHER BARRETT, HUNTER BURGTORF, ROB CULPEPPER, RAPHAEL DAUTIGNY, JACK GARDNER, ALEX HALL, ARANKA ISRANI, BRENNA KNEISS, JEFF LANDRETH, LAYNE LILLIE, READ MCKENDREE, CASEY MCMURRAY, CARLO PIERONI, ROMONA ROBBINS, NICKOLAS SARGENT, JOSEF SOBOTKA, PETER TURANSKY, CHANDLER WILLIAMS, DAVID ŽIDLICKÝ, ARRAY 30A, LULU AND ISABELLE, MODUS PHOTOGRAPHY, SHUTTERSTOCK, STM PHOTOGRAPHY, WHITECAP PRODUCTIONS
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DIRECTOR OF MARKETING
KELLY CURRY Kelly@VIEmagazine.com
DIGITAL CONTENT DIRECTOR
MCKENNA MEARS McKenna@VIEmagazine.com
DIGITAL CONTENT MANAGER MORGAN POWER
MARKETING COORDINATOR
HAILEY BETHKE
BRAND AMBASSADORS
LISA MARIE BURWELL Lisa@VIEmagazine.com
MARTA RATA
Marta@VIEmagazine.com
DWELLING WELL
LOVE Is the ANSWER
ometimes spontaneity is the best way to begin writing, as time is seemingly more elusive than ever. Maybe that’s just me, although I don’t think it is. So many people can’t keep up with our daily to-do lists in this new world where rhetoric and technology take center stage. I was thinking about what I wanted to share in this note about our Dwellings & Architecture Issue on an overcast Monday morning while driving through Northwest Florida’s New Urbanism communities of Seaside and WaterColor along Scenic Highway 30-A near the Gulf. I saw several families riding their bikes with looks of peace and contentment on their faces. I must have passed ten different families, and it hit me that creating places, spaces, and beautiful communities for people to dwell in, whether year-round or just for a vacation, will create lifelong memories. This might be one of the best times of their lives together, connecting in the moment and sans mobile devices while enjoying nature. I have long held the opinion that a bike ride or long walk can solve almost anything that ails us, and we should promote doing more of both.
That said, living and working alongside Scenic Highway 30-A is a gift. We get to enjoy the natural beauty and what I like to describe as “architectural nirvana,” where the best architects in the world shine in their craft. In addition to some of the world’s prettiest beaches, rare coastal dune lakes, state parks and forests, and numerous bike paths and trails, the area also has some of the best restaurants and events in the country. We have master-planned New Urbanism communities that rival anywhere in the world. The master planners at DPZ CoDesign helped create Seaside, Alys Beach, and Rosemary Beach, and Khoury Vogt Architects has its fingerprint on most of the area’s planned communities, including the new kid on the block, Kaiya Beach Resort. The Town of Seaside is known as the birthplace of New Urbanism and for celebrating thoughtfully planned communities intended to bring people together while inspiring livable, welcoming communities with three core tenets: sustainability, connectivity, and adaptability. Learn more about the ethos and heart of Seaside while exploring the Seaside Institute and its mission at SeasideInstitute.org and become part of this global initiative to spread the news.
Hogtown Bayou in the Choctawhatchee Bay with over half a mile of waterfront, is an example of good stewardship and responsible development. Its visionary and developer, Roy Sembera, has a love and passion for the place he has created and tended to for nearly twenty years. Almost half the community is green space, preserving nature and centuries-old oak trees, so it lives up to its name. Read more about this hidden gem in our special luxury real estate section in “The Heart of Community,” written by Morgan Power.
Last but surely not least is our cover story showcasing the incredible work of architects and principal founders Darrell Russell and Jonathan Hampel of A BOHEME Design, located in Inlet Beach, Florida. They, too, have carved a niche in our area and the New Urbanism communities discussed, as well as Miami and Anguilla, to name a few. I consider them friends and cherish our relationship and partnership through the magazine over many years. They are considered A-list architects who are at the top of their game and have designed some of the most beautiful and coveted homes the world over. Read more in “A Milestone Moment: A BOHEME Design Celebrates Fifteen Years” by Jordan Staggs, and get ready to savor and enjoy our slice of heaven and beyond as you flip through this issue.
My message to readers is to understand that people are the most important part of development. I was reminded of this during a recent tour in Churchill Oaks when Roy Sembera shared this sentiment with our team while showing us his community. I also know that love and passion are the fuel that enables people to create something long-lasting and significant, and it’s essential to recognize and respect that. It takes everything you have to achieve what many people within these pages have done.
I’m beginning to understand that love is always the answer.
— To Life!
Building a community requires more than a bricks-and-mortar mindset. Churchill Oaks in South Walton, nestled on forty acres in the bend of Churchill Bayou and
—Lisa Marie Burwell CEO/Editor-in-Chief/Creative Director
Photo by Aranka Israni
The DREAM TEAM
InteriorDesigners LINDSAY CANNON and KAREN KERNS
We collaborate with talented photographers, writers, and other creatives on a regular basis, and we’re continually inspired by how they pour their hearts and souls into their crafts. Follow these creatives on social media and don’t forget to check out our account, @viemagazine.
IN THIS ISSUE, WE ASKED THE CREATIVES: HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE “PERSONALITY” OF YOUR HOME, AND WHAT DETAILS BEST REPRESENT THAT?
MORGAN POWER
Digital Content Manager @morgan.power
I would describe my home as a mix of cozy and fun! I love a timeless, simple, and classic look, but I also love incorporating pops of color and fresh florals to bring in more personality. I love to fill my home with pictures of friends and family, cozy blankets, and warm lighting. I like to keep my space organized to better act as a place to rest and relax after a long day. Right now, I keep a bouquet of hydrangeas on my kitchen counter in my favorite vase, alongside one of my favorite candles!
JUSTIN BELL
Director of Architecture & Co-CEO at Ruggles Mabe Studio @justinhbell_architect
I currently live in a historic district near downtown Denver called Capitol Hill. Developed in the 1880s, it’s scattered with Queen Anne-style homes and has a beautiful French Gothic church. Specifically, I live next door to the Molly Brown House—yes, the one from the Titanic! My building is a hundred years old and used to be a mechanic’s garage for some of the very first vehicles in the state, including Molly Brown’s. My home is a two-story loft with brick walls and steel windows, all original from its 1924 construction.
The historical fabric of my neighborhood and the authenticity of my building are both themes I look to find and create in my designs. Houses that take root in historical precedent tend to tell the best stories—or at least ones that never grow old.
There’s a reason the French Gothic church and the Queen Anne-style homes are still the most beautiful buildings in Denver, even a century later.
HOUSES THAT TAKE ROOT IN HISTORICAL PRECEDENT TEND TO TELL THE BEST STORIES— OR AT LEAST ONES THAT NEVER GROW OLD.
Principal Architect, A BOHEME Design @abohemedesign
I LOVE SIMPLICITY, NATURE, WILDLIFE, A VARIETY OF FINE ART, CLASSIC CONTEMPORARY FURNITURE, AND OVERALL RESTRAINED DESIGN.
The personality of my house is exactly like me: eccentric with some “crazy” thrown in. I think everyone, since I design some very large houses for clients, is surprised that I only live in an 800-squarefoot, cast concrete, contemporary “bunker.” It does have a 350-square-foot outdoor living room and is positioned on a very nice, naturally and lushly landscaped piece of property. I love simplicity, nature, wildlife, a variety of fine art, classic contemporary furniture, and overall restrained design. My house reflects all those preferences and is engineered such that I am supposed to be able to enjoy them, even through a major hurricane. I hope not to have an opportunity to test that! Travel is another serious passion of mine, and my house is the perfect “lock and go” model.
DARRELL RUSSELL
Summer Socials
Sharing stories, memories, and laughs is at the heart of everything we do! If you have a fun adventure to share, be sure to tag VIE; we would love to see where 2024 takes our readers. Have a look at some recent experiences and stories below. Until next month, read responsibly!
@burwell_associates Burwell Associates creates tailored designs to the context and lifestyle of the client. Designing homes that utilize ways to bring the outdoors in is always a win in our book. We are committed to achieving the clients’ expectations.
@viebookclub Spotted our @viemagazine July Issue cover Star @emeril in the kitchen of Susan Lovelace, owner/founder of @lovelaceinteriors, as we photographed her gorgeous and serene Northwest Florida farm retreat this week for an upcoming issue. Who loves having cookbooks on display in the kitchen? What are your favorites? Have you gotten your copy of COOKbyVIE yet?
@sculptstudio30a Beyond thrilled to be featured in @viemagazine. As a small husbandand-wife team, this recognition means so much to us. We love being part of this amazing community and appreciate your continued support more than words can express!!
@viebookclub From the pages of @viemagazine: “The landmark restaurant in Seaside’s Central Square boasts a beloved menu of Southern staples for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus an irresistible lineup of cocktails and—as even some locals might not know—an extensive award-winning wine list that has garnered the restaurant the coveted Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for the past decade.” Thank you, VIE, for this great feature and cover of Chef Jim Shirley. Check it out at viemagazine.com/article/chef-jim-shirley.
@seaside_institute Join us for an evening with @raymondlgindroz! Speaker Series: a book talk, signing, and reception on September 5 at 5 PM! Book Signing @sundogbooks, Reception @the87central in partnership with @viemagazine (Link in bio to RSVP). The architect, educator, and renowned urban designer Ray Gindroz shares over two decades of experiences of place through drawing.
@apressuninteriors Monday mornings at the office. Après Sun Interiors is a full-service interior design studio along 30A in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. Led by Amy Kelly, our “A-team” excels in crafting extraordinary spaces that surpass expectations, providing our clients with personalized retreats ideal for a life well lived.
LET’S TALK!
Send VIE your comments and photos on our social media channels or by emailing us at info@viemagazine.com. We’d love to hear your thoughts. They could end up in the next La conversation!
To explore more from McCann Design Group, visit McCannDesignGroup.com and follow @mccanndesigngroup on Instagram.
La maison
WHERE THE HEART IS
The McCann Design Group, based in Palm Beach, Florida, has been recognized for bringing fresh, sophisticated touches to each area its team creates. Through designing “Le Tropical” within the Kips Bay Decorator Show House, visitors can see the designers’ critical attention to detail throughout. By showcasing elements like soft curved lines made from natural materials such as marble, pencil reed rattan, travertine, and more, McCann created an immersive experience for the senses. “The warm, inviting space beckons you to sit and have a glass of champagne while the scent of a Diptyque D'Oranger candle wafts and French lounge music softly plays. Le Tropical transports you to a place that is worldly, luxurious, and timelessly modern.”
A MILESTONE MOMENT
A private residence on San Marco Island in Miami designed by Darrell Russell of A BOHEME for homeowner Kristi Jernigan
Photo by Christopher Barrett
A BOHEME Design CELEBRATE S 15YEARS
BY JORDAN STAGGS
BOHEME DESIGN
Born during a tumultuous time as the 2008 recession ravaged the economy, a Gulf Coast-based architectural firm stands out from the crowd with a sophisticated eye and a modern yet versatile style to fit any client’s needs.
The founding principals of A BOHEME Design, Darrell Russell and Jonathan Hampel, excel at creating homes by the coast that are not your typical “coastal” style. Their impressive portfolio boasts Miami Beach mansions, bayfront family retreats, gorgeous luxury homes on the Gulf of Mexico, and, most recently, the firm’s new office space in Inlet Beach, Florida.
A
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF
Russell, who worked in a larger firm based in Memphis, spent a lot of time in the early 2000s around the coastal area along Scenic Highway 30-A in Northwest Florida, as one of the firm’s primary clients was The St. Joe Company. He decided to open an office in Rosemary Beach in 2003 to accommodate time spent with that developer and other clients in the region. At the time of the recession, Russell’s firm unfortunately had to close offices around the Southeast and lay off around 150 people, he says. “Jonathan was the last employee I had in Rosemary Beach,” Russell recalls, “and I remember I was going to have to close that office and lay him off—I had been spending a lot of time already in Orlando at our Celebration office. It was the summer of 2009 when we really started to feel the effects of the recession more in this area. I was told I had to drop our clients here, close the Rosemary office by July 31, and go work in Orlando.”
Like many beautiful things born out of adversity, A BOHEME Design came to fruition.
Because the Orlando market was not thriving as well as 30-A, Russell decided to split from his old firm, and he and Hampel formed A BOHEME. “I was terrified,” Russell admits. “It was the worst time to start a business—not to mention an architecture business because the industry was hit hard. But we did. We worked hard, cut our corporate billing rates real fast, lots of people prayed, and we made it.”
Branching out with a smaller boutique firm presented new opportunities for Russell and Hampel to be more creative, lean into their passions, and work with clients looking for a luxury custom residence different from others in the area.
Columns create steps in the pool from the deck to the primary suite at the Jernigan home in Miami.
Photo by Christopher Barrett
The conference room at A BOHEME’s new office in Inlet Beach, Florida
Below: Details of a private residence in Seagrove Beach
“In a larger firm, it’s very much the business of architecture; it’s practice, but the bottom line really matters. You have to follow a formula to try to reach a minimum profit,” Russell explains. “To me, the practice of architecture is about synergy, passion, and time. You need the option of spending the time to get it right, especially with a residential project, which is what we focus on. In the former firm, we did all kinds of huge projects—my architectural seal is on most Town Center buildings in WaterColor, for example. With A BOHEME, we have the option to spend the time it takes to get the project outcome to be what we want for our clients.”
The New Urbanism communities in Northwest Florida, including Alys Beach, Seaside, WaterColor, and Rosemary Beach, to name a few, have drawn affluent second-home owners to the Gulf Coast since Seaside began in the early 1980s. Today, as A BOHEME celebrates fifteen years in business, most of their works in progress are in the pristine
Gulf-front community of Alys Beach. Still, the past decade-and-a-half has seen the firm complete projects across Florida and beyond, including in Miami and Anguilla.
“We are busy in Alys Beach right now,” Hampel expounds. “It’s a fun community to work in because of the details you get to design on these homes. The codes and the lots can make things more difficult, but the incredible details are what make these homes stand out and make them so luxurious. It’s the carving of all the concrete work. A column never just gets poured straight in Alys; it’s got chamfered edges and base details—there’s a lot of that.”
Although the planned communities around 30-A have strict architectural codes and often present limited space for designers to work with, Hampel says that even when working within the confines of what a community and a client expect, homes here still offer opportunities to get creative. “You’re also trying to subtly reinvent something in the details with each project in Alys Beach, Rosemary, or WaterColor.” Hampel is also one of the town planners for Carillon Beach, a nearby New Urbanism community on the Gulf in Panama City Beach’s west end. He says that being intricately involved with the growth of that community off and on since around 2007 has shown him that the area’s potential is still being realized. Although many homes might start to look the same in these neighborhoods, he says the design and build quality are increasing exponentially year after year. “It’s all about letting the community grow and mature in a responsible way, and hopefully, the product going in gets better as you go. Whether in Rosemary, Alys, Carillon, or any of those, if you look at the original houses versus now, today’s houses are going to be bigger. It’s the same thing you see on any Gulf-front lot—everyone’s first question is, ‘How many square feet can I fit on it?’ Many people look at homes here from a real estate standpoint. I think our job as architects is to explain to them that yes, square footage is important, but you can also look at why one house might get more square footage of usable space than another, and that’s where good design comes in.”
Photos by Jack Gardner
ONE EXAMPLE OF GOOD DESIGN IN
ACTION IS A BOHEME’S LATEST PROJECT, WHICH IS NEAR AND DEAR TO ITS FOUNDING PARTNERS’ HEARTS:
THE FIRM’S NEW OFFICE IN INLET BEACH, FLORIDA.
The office’s eclectic mix of modern and traditional is a perfect example of A BOHEME’s design philosophy and versatility. Just as they love working with homeowners to create residences that are uniquely aesthetic and functional for the occupants’ ideal lifestyle, the office shows off that bohemian creative spirit with a modern sensibility.
“We’ve hit that fifteen-year mark, and it’s refreshing to start with something new in a new space,” says Hampel. “It keeps our energy new and fresh as we move into a new home.” The office itself is a little larger than the firm’s previous spot at 30Avenue, and the team completely retrofitted it for their needs with two offices, a kitchen, a conference room, a main working room, and a lofted area perfect for design samples and storage. The entryway is located in the building’s breezeway, and Hampel had the idea of creating an entry facade to emulate an old European storefront. Unique wave-like wall paneling accentuates the lobby and invites visitors inside, where antique timber beams frame the space and hold the storage area aloft, creating a mix of wood details and textures that again juxtapose contemporary and bohemian styles.
“We came in here, and I kept thinking we needed more square footage,” Russell says. “Jonathan had the idea of putting a mezzanine in, and then he mentioned seeing some engineering offices that were timber-framed with contemporary interiors. That’s what started this notion of how to make the space work—it really started with the idea of installing the mezzanine for storage. Honestly, timber framing would never have crossed my mind, nor would the mezzanine. But it evolved from there, with a supplier in Ohio called Triple B helping us source the beautiful old timber you see framing the office now, alongside the Spinneybeck white oak ‘pleat’ wall in the entryway.”
He continues, “I really liked the idea of this yin and yang of old and new white oak in juxtaposition. That evolved when I saw another image where a designer used black accents with white oak, so we went with that accent color for a more contemporary contrast in materials. All the timbers are structural and really do support the mezzanine and other parts of the office—they’re not just decoration.”
In addition to principals Russell and Hampel, the A BOHEME team comprises about ten full-time employees in the Inlet Beach office and one remote employee. After working with the bigger company and personally managing around
thirty-five team members, Russell says around a dozen is the optimal size for a boutique firm. “I said when I came to the beach that if the office ever needed more than twelve people, it wasn’t for me,” he shares. “And at this point in my life, I just want to do creative work. There are a lot of challenges in this profession that we’ve never had before, dealing with the volatility of construction costs and the difficulty with finding and keeping good labor forces. Those things can take a lot of the enjoyment out of the job, so we need more of the creative side to offset that.”
Looking back on the past fifteen years in business and the legacy they are building, Russell and Hampel agree they want to continue doing great work for clients along the Florida coast and do what they can to leave a mark on great design around the 30-A area in particular. Creating an architectural firm with a solid reputation and brand recognition has been a crucial part of their growth, and having the new office reflect that brand was part of their mission when outfitting it. Working within the community and helping its growth in a responsible manner is also important, especially as Walton County expands with more development between Santa Rosa Beach and DeFuniak Springs.
“It sounds a little cliché, but we want to leave the place better than we found it and leave a good mark on the community,” Hampel explains. “Working with the community is important—I’m on the county DRB, for example. I want to help guide development on Highway 98 in any way possible, and it’s good to have design professionals on that board. That work isn’t always creative or fun when we’re often dealing with monument signage, colors, materials, and that sort of thing. But when someone drives down 98, I’d like them to experience a nicely developed community and notice that our strip of beach differs from the surrounding areas.”
A stunning private residence in the Heritage Dunes community of Seagrove Beach
Photo by Jack Gardner
Russell’s philosophy on great design and the legacy he wants to leave is all about helping people live their best lives in the homes A BOHEME creates for them. “My passion is helping people enjoy living in their space. We do the best we can to solve their design problems by finding out what they like and don’t like and helping them enjoy their lives a little more, thanks to the architectural experience they get to have every day. I have come to terms with the fact it may all get bulldozed someday. That’s OK because it was designed for an individual or individuals. If we helped the people we designed it for, that’s what matters.”
Real estate changes hands, of course—especially in a busy market like the Northwest Florida Gulf Coast. The A BOHEME team sometimes gets pulled back in by new owners when they purchase a home that the firm designed but want to make changes. “We joke sometimes that everybody we do anything for sells it and makes a lot of money,” Russell laughs. “But it’s really fun when somebody buys something we designed for someone else and loves it even more than the first person did. That feels good.”
Hampel agrees, adding, “You never want to see one of your projects torn down, of course, but that seems to be how the market goes sometimes. This area treats anything built more than ten years ago as old. But I’ve never seen one of our houses torn down, so I guess that’s a good sign. I’ve never seen one even go through a major renovation, which is also nice. I think it at least tells us that even if an owner is doing cosmetic work, the space was laid out well.”
Some current projects A BOHEME is excited about include a new residence on Scenic Highway 30-A for a client who wanted a colorful, whimsical vacation home and another client whose residence was designed around a decade ago but never realized until now. “They never built it for a lot of reasons, and now, ten years later, they’re ready,” Russell shares. “It’s really interesting because ten years of life have gone by, and that house isn’t exactly what they need anymore, so we’re redesigning it to meet their needs now. They kept their land, and the house is similar, but we’re making ten years’ worth of life changes. A decade ago, their grandkids didn’t exist—things like that. They know now how they want to live in this house.”
Right: The A BOHEME studio with mezzanine library
Below: A vignette of Darrell Russell’s office with a painting by Miami artist Victor Garcia
Photos by Jack Gardner
onathan adds that this case is unique but exciting to work on, as the clients have also learned a lot about what they want in a house from building one in Texas in the meantime. But it all comes down to working with them to meet their current lifestyle and needs. “They learned what works for them and how they want to use their space, and we get to take that and create something they will hopefully love for years and that their kids and grandkids will love too.”
Whether designing a Tuscan-style villa on the Gulf, an expansive retreat on the bay, or an artistic oasis in Miami, the A BOHEME Design team has helped people live the optimal life they want in their homes for fifteen years and looks forward to many more projects in Northwest Florida and beyond.
Visit ABOHEME.com to learn more or book a consultation, and follow them on Instagram @abohemedesign to see more projects.
The Jernigan residence pool deck and outdoor spiral staircase
Photo by Christopher Barrett
Heritage Dunes project in Seagrove Beach
Photo by Jack Gardner
Forest Inn Showakan in Tokyo’s Akishima Mori Park is just one of many destinations to discover with Okura Nikko. To learn more about Okura Nikko Hotels, visit Okura-Nikko.com and follow @okura_hotels on Instagram.
Cultural Elegance
Boasting a combination of traditional and contemporary luxury, Okura Nikko Hotels wholeheartedly cherishes and celebrates cultural elegance. With featured locations including Tokyo and Awaji, Japan, and Honolulu, Hawaii, authentic cultural beauty is showcased throughout all Okura Nikko properties. With an emphasis on simplicity and true tastefulness, this vacation experience is one you will not want to miss.
Private residence in Alys Beach, Florida
Photo by Jack Gardner
In the heart of Tampa, Florida, nestled among the bustling streets and vibrant communities, resides a beacon of architectural and interior design excellence—Chancey Design. Founded thirty-five years ago by the visionary duo Walt and Sandra Chancey, the firm has grown from a local endeavor into a name synonymous with innovation, elegance, and a client-first approach.
A Journey of Excellence: 35 Years of Timeless Spaces
Over the past thirty-five years, Chancey Design has crafted over three hundred single-family custom homes and more than 3,500 multi-family and senior living apartments and condominiums, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of Florida and beyond. The firm’s projects span from the sunny beaches of Florida to the mountains of Colorado and Montana and even the serene shores of the Bahamas. Its team’s work has graced the pages of prestigious publications such as Veranda, MILIEU, Florida Design, Southern Accents, and Florida Architecture
A Comprehensive Approach to Design
At Chancey Design, the approach to creating outstanding living spaces is holistic. Every decision is made with the client in mind, resulting in
final projects that meet and exceed expectations. This client-centric philosophy has earned the firm the trust and admiration of homeowners and businesses. Their design process involves close collaboration with clients, architects, and designers, making every project genuinely reflect the client’s vision and needs.
One of the team’s standout achievements is working within the iconic traditional neighborhood developments in Florida, such as Alys Beach, Rosemary Beach, WaterSound, and WaterColor.
The Seagrove Beach Office: Expanding Horizons
With offices in Seagrove Beach, Florida, led by architecture partner Cameron Hughes, Chancey Design has significantly broadened its influence, bringing its expertise to the picturesque Scenic Highway 30-A coastline. Hughes’s leadership and hands-on approach in the Seagrove Beach office allow the team to be deeply engaged in every phase of each project, ensuring the design is visionary and meticulously executed.
The team excels in crafting residential and commercial projects that blend luxury and comfort. The Seagrove Beach office acts as the central hub for its Emerald Coast endeavors. The team’s intimate understanding of the local landscape and lifestyle allows each design to harmonize perfectly
with its natural surroundings. With Hughes closely involved in the field, the unique characteristics of the community are thoughtfully incorporated into every project.
Passion for 30-A: Designing Coastal Dreams
The 30-A area is more than just a location for Chancey Design—it’s a passion. Walt Chancey’s childhood in Alabama and his many family vacations to the area naturally led to the decision to establish a second office. The firm has played a pivotal role in shaping this coastal region, developing a diverse range of projects from single-family custom homes to commercial retail spaces and resort-style senior living communities.
Chancey’s partnership with The St. Joe Company has further strengthened its presence in the 30-A region. Together, they have collaborated on several notable projects that enhance the area’s appeal and livability, including developments focused on improving community amenities and residential offerings.
Catherine Christie-Zanghi, managing partner on the interior design side, has been with Chancey since day one. Her influence is profound, particularly in the 30-A area, where she oversees numerous projects. Christie-Zanghi’s expertise guarantees each design meets the highest standards and reflects the unique personalities and needs of her clients. Her role extends beyond design; she nurtures relationships, ensuring every project is a collaborative and enjoyable experience for all involved. Her dedication and eye for detail have been instrumental in creating inviting and livable spaces, from beachfront residences to thoughtfully designed resort-style assisted and independent living communities.
Above: Sandra is the head of Chancey Design’s interiors division.
Photo by Mali Azima
Below: A serene Florida escape by Chancey Design
Photo by Jean Allsopp
Sandra and Walt Chancey
Photo by Rob Culpepper
Chancey Development
Chancey’s comprehensive approach extends to development, offering strategic insights into projects’ marketing, financial, and business aspects, a rarity among traditional design firms. Present throughout the entire development process, Chancey Development oversees every detail, from the search for the perfect piece of real estate to site planning, custom design, and the completion of construction.
The firm’s commitment to creating sustainable, high-quality developments is evident in its diverse portfolio, which includes residential, senior living, multi-family, and commercial projects. Each project reflects the meticulous attention to detail and client-focused ethos that defines Chancey Design.
The Chancey Design Family
Behind every successful project is a committed team of professionals who share the Chancey vision. The team at Chancey Design is a diverse group of thirty-five architects, interior designers, and support staff, all committed to delivering excellence. Their collaborative spirit ensures each project benefits from a wealth of experience and creativity, making
Chancey Design a true family of professionals working together to bring dreams to life. This cohesive team approach ensures that every project is executed with precision and care, no matter the size or scope.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Chancey Design
As Chancey Design celebrates its thirty-fifth anniversary, the firm reflects on its journey with pride and looks forward to the future with excitement. Walt and Sandra Chancey’s vision continues to inspire their team to push the boundaries of design, creating spaces that are timeless, functional, and deeply connected to the clients they serve. With their unwavering commitment to relationships, innovative design solutions, and a passion for creating unique, functional spaces, Chancey Design is poised to continue its tradition of excellence for many years to come. The firm is dedicated to staying at the forefront of design trends and technological advancements, continuing to deliver cutting-edge solutions that meet the evolving needs of its clients.
Here’s to thirty-five years of design and many more to come.
To learn more or see additional projects, visit ChanceyDesign.com or follow the team on Instagram @chanceyarchitecture and @chanceyinteriordesign.
Above: Photo by Jean Allsopp
Top left: A custom luxury home in Alys Beach, Florida
Top right: Watersound Fountains, a new resort-style senior living community in Watersound Origins
Photos by Jack Gardner
Focusing heavily on authenticity and guest experience, Romer Hell’s Kitchen in New York aims to provide guests with a unique hotel experience, promoting a friendly neighborhood feel. By integrating into a community of locals and visitors, this hotel is the perfect setting to truly explore your destination. Partnering with local artists and musicians and integrating locals to train staff members, Romer Hell’s Kitchen is a fantastic asset to bringing together the people of New York to help tourists experience one of its most iconic neighborhoods.
To learn more about Romer Hell’s Kitchen, visit RomerHotels.com and follow @romerhellskitchen on Instagram.
Romer is rooted in the belief that travel should be anchored in local culture. It is a place where guests become locals and locals become regulars.
IN NEW ORLEANS VIBRANT & VIVACIOUS
BY JORDAN STAGGS PHOTOGRAPHY BY CASEY MCMURRAY
SUSAN LOVELACE CURATES A HOME WITH
LOVE
IN THE HEART OF THE BIG EASY LIES A COLORFUL RETREAT DESIGNED WITH FAMILY, FUNCTION, AND FUN IN MIND.
Susan Lovelace, the founder and owner of Lovelace Interiors in Inlet Beach, Florida, created this feminine yet cozy residence as her personal New Orleans getaway, conveniently located next door to her son’s house. As the perfect spot to spend a long weekend with family or get away with friends, the two-story abode features pops of pink and blue, equestrian motifs paying homage to Susan’s love of horses, and a primary bedroom fit for a Mardis Gras queen.
Buzzing over to New Orleans from Northwest Florida to see family or clients is a breeze, thanks to Wheels Up, a private airline with operations at the Destin Executive Airport. When the VIE team joined Susan to explore the city her way and tour her adorable getaway house, we were blown away by the Wheels Up team, who had recently come off a busy week of flying clients to and from the legendary Masters Tournament.
Susan Lovelace, owner of Lovelace Interiors, designed this feminine and chic escape for herself in New Orleans.
Aquick jaunt to the vibrant city with Susan is also a peek into her unique life as an interior designer, tastemaker, and powerhouse entrepreneur who balances running a thriving thirty-year-old business, a team of licensed designers under her mentorship, a busy social calendar, family, and much more. Susan’s love of fun is evident in all she does, and her smile is infectious. She led VIE’s CEO/ editor-in-chief/creative director Lisa Marie Burwell, editor Jordan Staggs, and assistant editor Kelly Curry on a three-day extravaganza in NOLA with many standout experiences, including an exquisite seven-course meal at Emeril’s New Orleans flagship restaurant, now helmed by Chef E.J. Lagasse, the son of Emeril and Alden Lagasse, Susan’s cousin. To say the evening was magical is an understatement, and you can read all about it in VIE’s July 2024 Gentlemen’s Edition!
When she’s not having a glass of wine or a cocktail on her porch overlooking the backyard or cooking in the perfectly pink-themed kitchen, Susan is out shopping and enjoying the city life. It’s quite the contrast to the relative quiet found at her primary home in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, and her Northwest Florida farmhouse retreat in Ponce de Leon. VIE accompanied her to Saks Fifth Avenue at Canal Place, where we met with stylist Kim Crane, who helped Susan choose some beautiful summer soiree outfits for upcoming events. Then,
Far left: Susan Lovelace, Lisa Marie Burwell, Jordan Staggs, and Kelly Curry join the Wheels Up team for a quick flight from Destin, Florida, to New Orleans.
we popped in at Valobra Jewelry & Antiques in the French Quarter to chat with interior design and watch expert Giorgio Valobra, who showed us around the store and told us the story of the fourth-generation family business hailing from Torino, Italy. The store features a collection of gorgeous Venetian hand-blown glass chandeliers, antiques, art, jewelry, and timepieces. A final stop in the French Quarter led us inside the whimsical apparel shop and millinery at Fleur de Paris, founded in 1980. With Susan’s Kentucky Derby hat in hand, we returned to the Warehouse District for an excellent dinner at Gianna.
Above: Susan styling in Gucci at Saks Fifth Avenue at Canal Place
SPENDING TIME WITH SUSAN AND SEEING HER IN ACTION
ENJOYING LIFE MAKES IT EVEN EASIER TO SEE HOW SHE PUTS HER HEART AND SOUL INTO THE INTERIORS SHE CURATES FOR CLIENTS AND FOR HERSELF.
Spending time with Susan and seeing her in action and enjoying life makes it even easier to see how she puts her heart and soul into the interiors she curates for clients and herself. “The principles of design are the fun things: rhythm, balance, contrast, harmony,” Susan told Lisa Marie Burwell on her recent episode of VIE Speaks: Conversations with Heart & Soul podcast. “When your eyes dance, it’s like music. Beautiful spaces that use rhythm are like a waltz or hip-hop come to life.”
In the case of Susan’s quintessential New Orleans retreat, it might be a classic jazz number bringing out the colorful notes, artwork, and spontaneity found throughout this charming home. What a fitting tone for the city where this interior designer finds a spring in her step!
See more projects and learn more about Susan Lovelace and her team at LovelaceInteriors.com and on Instagram @lovelaceinteriors.
Burwell Associates uses the latest 3D BIM software to design, present, and document more efficiently, effectively, and accurately.
Call us to see why our clients describe the experience as game-changing.
PRIVATE RESIDENCE
Heritage Dunes, Seagrove Beach, Florida
Outdoor Living
tyle M a ison30a Home+Gard e n
INTERVIEW BY JORDAN STAGGS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY
HUNTER BURGTORF
hile ensuring your home and interiors are beautiful and functional, it’s important not to overlook outdoor living spaces, patios, decks, and porches. That’s where Maison 30a Home + Garden excels. Celebrating five years in business, it encompasses one acre of indoor and outdoor collections in Panama City Beach, Florida. The purveyor of chic outdoor furnishings, planters, and accessories recently expanded its exquisite pottery garden and outdoor living collections, enhancing its presence in the community for clients with projects big, small, and every size in between.
“After establishing strong community ties and noting the area’s growth, we decided to expand our pottery garden into the adjacent half-acre property,” explains Chris Bailey, owner of Maison30a. “This expansion has allowed us to showcase our extensive collections and introduce new lines, catering to diverse tastes in 2024 and beyond.”
Among its new offerings, Maison30a highlights the Concrete Geometric Convex pottery collection, boasting bold, angular lines in gray and white variations. “Our Fluted Tambour design concrete dining tables blend coastal and modern aesthetics seamlessly,” Bailey notes. The popular Tulum collection has also been expanded with new designs featuring natural-colored synthetic rope and teak frames.
aison30a serves a mix of clientele, including top designers, landscape architects, and local homeowners,” Bailey elaborates. The five-thousandsquare-foot showroom and garden feature pottery, outdoor furniture, and a curated selection of coastal modern chic designs for indoor and outdoor spaces, including art, books, textiles, accessories, and more.
Reflecting on current trends, Bailey says he has seen a heightened interest in thoughtfully designed outdoor spaces that harmonize with interior aesthetics. “We collaborate closely with landscape architects to create bespoke outdoor living areas that reflect clients’ personal styles,” he shares. Described as an eclectic blend of coastal modern and classic design with touches of industrial chic and organic bohemian influences, Maison30a embodies the coastal lifestyle of the Florida Panhandle.”
Looking ahead through the end of 2024 and beyond, Maison30a remains committed to excellence and customer satisfaction. The team is also excited about its upcoming participation in the Round Top Texas event at Blue Hills, Bailey reveals. The showcase will include new collections and unveil plans for exclusive Maison30a Airbnbs on the brand’s recently acquired ranch land. Mark your calendars for October 5–19.
“We are also thrilled to announce Savanna Kidd, owner and designer of Morning Glory art and design, will be opening a gallery inside Maison30a in the coming months,” Bailey says. Specializing in French mural art prints and exquisite decorative onyx bowls and lighting, Kidd’s collections are available throughout Maison30a, but the expanded gallery space will provide clientele with the full range of her work. See it now at MorningGloryInc.com.
Expressing gratitude to their valued clientele and design partners, Bailey and his team look forward to continuing Maison30a’s journey of creating beautiful, functional spaces together. As they embark on new ventures and unveil exciting
collections, Maison30a remains dedicated to enhancing the coastal living experience with their signature style and commitment to quality. Cheers to five years of chic outdoor living!
Maison30a merges style and functionality in home and garden design, offering a unique blend of coastal elegance and modern chic. Whether you want to enhance your outdoor oasis or elevate your interior spaces, visit Maison30a.com or the showroom in Panama City Beach, Florida, to see more.
… a refreshing blend of classical lines, modern elements, and twists on the traditional.
When a young family of three decided to build their dream home in Richmond, Virginia, they enlisted Vancouver-based designer Victoria McKenney from Enviable Designs to bring it into reality. The goal of this home was to combine contemporary and classic interior elements, which McKenney seamlessly carried out with custom arched wood accents, light fixtures from Apparatus Studio, classic detailing, and statement marble in Calacatta Viola for the backsplash and counters. This is certainly a dream home! To see more from Victoria McKenney at Enviable Designs, follow @enviabledesigns on Instagram.
BY MCKENNA MEARS
REAL WOOD
A PEEK INSIDE SOME OF THE COUNTRY’S MOST LUXURIOUS CUSTOM HOMES, BEHIND THE SCENES OF A CUSTOM MOULDING, MILLWORK, AND CABINETRY FACILITY, AND INSIDE SOME THRIVING BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITY CENTERS— THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING FOR REAL WOOD: CRAFTED STORIES WITH EDDIE SAN JUAN
Hosted by Eddie San Juan, the operations manager at E. F. San Juan, a state-of-the-art woodworking operation and third-generation family business, the series showcases some of the remarkable projects undertaken by his family since 1976.
The series, produced by The Idea Boutique, kicked off in Season One with an inside look at the E. F. San Juan facility in Youngstown, Florida. Eddie highlighted its world-class machinery, unique projects requiring extreme detail, and intricate custom wood designs. Season Two focused more on working with wood in coastal environments, offering tips on maintaining wood health in moist conditions. Eddie guides viewers through creating solid wood doors and more, emphasizing E. F. San Juan’s commitment to producing sturdy, lasting, and quality products. Additionally, Season 2 features some finished products E. F. San Juan helped create, showcasing local business The Salty Butcher and a stunning VIE magazine show home in Seagrove Beach.
In its latest season, Real Wood Season Three Episode One explores ZUMA Fitness and Wellness Center at Alys Beach, a community wellness center featuring extensive custom architectural millwork by E. F. San Juan. As ZUMA is usually closed to the public, the show offers a unique look inside this exclusive property reserved for Alys Beach homeowners and guests.
Viewers can also witness the creation of custom box enclosures for the Seaside Prize Key awards, handcrafted by Eddie’s grandfather and E. F. San Juan’s founder and CEO, Ed F. San Juan, in Season Three Episode Two. Eddie provides a detailed tour of the Chapel at Seaside in Episode Three, showing an iconic structure on which E. F. San Juan collaborated with architect Scott Merrill of Merrill, Pastor & Colgan in the early 2000s. Their legacy will continue with the Seaside Prize Key being presented annually in E. F. San Juan’s custom mahogany boxes.
Left: The E. F. San Juan-crafted curved staircase at “In Surf We Trust,” a home featured in Season Three of Real Wood
Photo by Romona Robbins
Right: Eddie San Juan on camera with filmmaker Mark Little at “In Surf We Trust”
IT’S INCREDIBLE TO SEE OUR WORK INSTALLED AND ENJOYED BY SO MANY PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY.
Right: A stunning custom Gulf-front home in Alys Beach, Florida, by Khoury Vogt Architects and Hufham Farris Construction, featuring E. F. San Juan custom gates, shutters, and other architectural millwork throughout, plus Loewen glass windows and doors
Photo by Hunter Burgtorf
The show also takes us through a private residence in Seaside in Episode Four. Here, E. F. San Juan worked with Curtis & Windham Architects and O.B. Laurent Construction to create a nautical-themed home that has become a cherished family legacy property known as “In Surf We Trust.” The episode highlights the intricate technicalities of the custom curved millwork throughout the home and other unique pieces cherished by the homeowners.
Episode Five of Season Three features a magnificent Gulf-front home in Alys Beach, Florida, crafted by Khoury Vogt Architects and Hufham Farris Construction, with refreshed furnishings and fixtures by Lovelace Interiors. Eddie showcases the exquisite custom millwork and Loewen
Below: Custom fencing
windows and doors provided by E. F. San Juan, seamlessly integrating the beauty of the outdoors with the interior, making it a crown jewel of Gulffront living.
“It’s incredible to see our work installed and enjoyed by so many people in the community,” shares Eddie. “Season Three of Real Wood brings a unique perspective to the show. Much of the work we do is in private residences, so it’s an amazing experience to see the finished products installed and in use.”
E. F. San Juan looks forward to showcasing more of its work along the Northwest Florida Gulf Coast and beyond in future episodes and expanding its reach with custom architectural millwork and wood products in other markets throughout Florida.
Follow along at EFSanJuan.com or on E. F. San Juan’s YouTube channel and Instagram (@e.f.sanjuan) for more insights into the craftsmanship that brings life to homes, spaces, and places.
Left: The Chapel at Seaside is featured in Real Wood Season Three.
by E. F. San Juan at ZUMA Wellness Center in Alys Beach
Bottom left: Eddie San Juan on the rooftop at ZUMA Wellness Center in Alys Beach
Architecture by Paul Geary, built by Regal Stephens Construction
Photo by Hunter Burgtorf
je ne sais quoi
A HOME WITH Luxury
Living in Watersound Camp Creek
BY HAILEY BETHKE
What does it take to build a home that captures originality and timelessness? Scenic Highway 30-A is home to endless properties that compete in square footage and waterfront views, but few residences successfully capture the essence of legacy.
What separates a house from a home is a space tailored to your unique habits and needs, tastefully designed to exude an effortless level of coolness and class. Bigger is not always better. White-washed walls and beachy accents are not always the key to cohesive design. When you step through your front door, you should be met with warmth and receptivity as you return to a space that feels like you. There’s nothing better than a home that matches the pace and flow of your lifestyle, with a little extra je nai se quoi that separates you from your neighbors.
Enter the Sullivan Residence at Watersound Camp Creek, a custom-built, statement-making home that seamlessly blends liveability with tasteful design.
A dark horse in a crowd of classic beach homes, the Sullivan Residence transcends tradition and offers a new perspective on conscious design. The owners, John David and Meredith Sullivan, are longtime locals who have called many neighborhoods along the Gulf of Mexico home. John David, one of the area’s top-producing real estate agents, immediately understood the intrinsic value of the community. The exclusive non-rental and gated neighborhood is adjacent to the Camp Creek golf course and members-only amenities, including a stateof-the-art fitness center, tennis and pickleball courts, several pools, and ANR Restaurant nestled within the Camp Creek Inn. Watersound Camp Creek feels like an authentic neighborhood where homeowners can enjoy a highly coveted slice of heaven with full-service amenities, privacy, and quiet.
Paige Schnell, founder of Tracery Interiors, alongside Tracery team member AK Tisa, were the visionaries behind the home’s sophisticated yet striking interiors. Schnell explains that their principal focus was to create a functional, inviting space for the owners to relax and entertain. Luxurious but warm, Schnell and Tisa called on a bold color palette while softening the space with comfortable furniture to encourage sit-down conversations and dinner parties over a glass of wine.
Commanding over 5,700 square feet, the property is designed with several spaces to connect, from the indoor and outdoor kitchens to the pool house and seating around the pool.
Symmetrical two-car garages flank the entryway to the black steel front door, which leads to an open-concept living area and kitchen. “Throughout the home,
you can see an overriding theme of elevated comfort and livable beauty,” Schnell expresses. “We started with architectural materials and incorporated black steel, painted brick, white oak, coral stone, marble, and plaster as the base for the finishes, then grew the concept from there. The main spaces are sophisticated yet comfortable with a neutral color palette that ranges from black to white and lots of neutrals in between to create interest and depth.”
Each room offers a twist on classic design, channeling moodiness and mystique. The kitchen’s focal point rests behind the Taj Mahal waterfall kitchen island: a
Interior design by Tracery Interiors
Thisphoto,above,and oppositepage: Photos by Jean Allsopp
Landscape architecture by Brad Tackett
Photo by Hunter Burgtorf
Throughout the home, you can see an overriding theme of elevated comfort and livable beauty.
custom floating hood accented with gold details. Expansive sliding doors easily connect the living room and kitchen to the outdoor courtyard and pool for one large soirée. The outdoor kitchen is complete with plenty of seating for guests and family and is finished with the finest culinary appliances and grills. It’s a chef’s refuge, for sure!
Still, there are numerous spaces to break away from the crowd. The “pool house” is an entertainer’s dream, complete with a sleek onyx bar backsplashed with mirrored tiles, a hidden guitar room, and a golf simulator. No detail was spared, from the custom Masters Tournament rye green leather chairs to the framed prints of original art by Chris Coleman, collected by the owners over the years.
“Here, we incorporated the main home palette but layered in drama with more bold, dark hues. Of course, the ultimate surprise of this space is the hidden guitar room. We wanted each space to have its own personality yet flow architecturally,” remarks Schnell.
The space reflects the unique history and passions of the family’s lifestyle. John David is a member of the Cadillac Willy band, a local classic rock and jam group that has played in the area for over twenty years. As he shows me around the
home, he reminisces on magical nights spent behind the hidden bookshelf that leads to the guitar room—a space where time is disregarded and creativity is put first. It’s a taste of the most inspired Nashville recording studios, with plush patterned rugs, funky leather chairs, and classic blue paint contrasting a lifetime’s collection of guitars lining the walls.
Back inside, the primary suite and upstairs bedrooms convey the same refined opulence, with hand-selected wallpapers, chic lighting, and en suite bathrooms finished with marble sourced from Renovation Flooring.
With phase one completely sold out, Watersound Camp Creek has recently unveiled phase two, the final phase in the 264-homesite development. Many local families and seasonal residents looking to build a second or third residence are investing in building beautiful, tasteful custom homes here, adding to the resale value proposition and standard of neighboring properties.
Whether you have been a 30-A local for years or are just beginning your chapter in the area, it is high time to put Watersound Camp Creek on your radar. The Sullivan residence is the first of many luxury properties to make its mark in the neighborhood and sets a high bar of excellence for future home builds in the development.
A special thank you to the talented creatives and craftsmen who took the Sullivan Residence at Watersound Camp Creek from conception to reality:
Builder: Regal Stephens Construction
Architecture: Paul Geary
Interior Design: Paige Schnell and AK Tisa, Tracery Interiors
Landscape Architecture: Brad Tackett
Photos by Jean Allsopp
A maJestic estaTe
SOUTHERN CHARM Meets ASIAN INFLUENCE
Nestled along the picturesque Biloxi waterfront stands an architectural masterpiece, a testament to bespoke luxury and seamless design integration. This 11,000-square-foot custom residence, meticulously conceived by Geoff Chick & Associates architects and Duce May of Duce & Company interior design, embodies a harmonious blend of Asian-inspired interiors and Balinese-meets-Southern exteriors, breathing life into a unique coastal narrative.
Duce & Company’s vision transformed the interior spaces into curated sanctuaries, marrying cultural motifs with contemporary comforts. Weather Shield windows and doors by third-generation millwork and cabinetry firm E. F. San Juan embrace the panoramic vista, framing each room with the serene natural landscape.
Photos by Steven Mangum, STM Photography
Prestige Properties, renowned for its commitment to excellence, brought Chick and May’s plans to life with precision and finesse to create a sanctuary homeowners can enjoy for generations. The architectural massing, thoughtfully broken down into smaller elements, minimizes the home’s bulk and provides waterfront views from every vantage point—a testament to the team’s thoughtful design and excellent execution.
More than just a home, this residence is a canvas for entertainment, effortlessly accommodating intimate gatherings or grander family soirees. It exudes grandeur. Still, the house is designed for practical living, with the ability to scale down everyday space usage for ease, embodying the essence of luxurious pragmatism for those who reside within its well-crafted walls.
MORE THAN JUST A HOME, THIS RESIDENCE IS A CANVAS FOR ENTERTAINMENT, EFFORTLESSLY ACCOMMODATING INTIMATE GATHERINGS OR GRANDER FAMILY SOIREES.
THIS RESIDENCE IS A TESTAMENT TO THE SYMBIOSIS OF ARCHITECTURAL PROWESS, INTERIOR EXPERTISE, NATURE’S UNENDING BEAUTY, AND A COMMITMENT TO TRANSCENDENT LIVING.
The pièce de résistance is an awe-inspiring central stairwell, a sculptural marvel that anchors the home’s grandeur with understated elegance. Adjacent, a meticulously crafted wine cellar awaits, perfect for vino connoisseurs with style.
In the heart of Biloxi’s luxury home landscape, this residence is a testament to the symbiosis of
architectural prowess, interior expertise, nature’s unending beauty, and a commitment to transcendent living. It’s not just a dwelling; it’s a luxury destination where every detail is an ode to coastal sophistication.
Visit GeoffChick.com, DuceandCo.com, and EFSanJuan.com to see more projects from these exceptional architectural professionals, or follow them on Instagram to stay in the know.
Above: Weather Shield impactrated windows and doors crafted by E. F. San Juan blend protection and beauty in Geoff Chick & Associates’ design.
Opposite top right: Duce & Company’s interiors throughout the home are stellar, especially creating a dramatic focal point in the central stairwell and wine cellar.
GOING COASTAL with Bevolo
The VIE Beach House Show Home in Seagrove Beach, Florida, featured multiple outdoor copper lanterns by Bevolo, including the Governor design (this page) and the classic French Quarter design (opposite).
Photos by Romona Robbins
STORY COURTESY OF BEVOLO
In
an issue of VIE where the
spotlight falls
on
everything home, decor, and real estate, we can think of no better occasion to showcase one of the world’s most prolific lighting designers, illuminating homes with style
since 1945.
evolo Gas & Electric Lights is a premier manufacturer renowned for crafting the finest traditional, antique, and custom-designed lighting fixtures. Today, Bevolo proudly holds the title of the world’s largest producer of handmade, open-flame copper lanterns. For coastal customers, Bevolo is the ultimate choice. With the option to use naval brass brackets and wind baffles, it’s a clear winner for those living in salt-air environments.
PERSONALIZED DESIGN SERVICE
Bevolo has a team of Lighting Designers with generations of experience. When
they look at your project, they will consider every aspect of the home. The team will narrow down your options from the hundreds of combinations in the brand’s line to help you make the best decision for your home.
AMERICAN-MINED COPPER
When you purchase a Bevolo lantern, you’re making a lifetime investment! For seventy-nine years, Bevolo has handcrafted lanterns from the highest-quality American-mined copper. Copper is a corrosive-resistant, malleable, durable, and long-lasting metal that responds well to temperature extremes. These properties make copper an excellent material for outdoor fixtures.
This page right side: Bevolo’s Pool House lantern designs are excellent for a portable lighting option, indoors and out.
This page bottom left: The French Quarter lantern on the original bracket at the VIE Beach House
Photo by Romona Robbins
Opposite: French Quarter lantern on a hanging yoke bracket and Governor lanterns flanking the VIE Beach House entryway
Photos by Romona Robbins
For seventy-nine years, Bevolo has handcrafted lanterns from the highest-quality American-mined copper.
MARINE-GRADE NAVAL BRASS BRACKETS
All of Bevolo’s brackets are fabricated using the highest-quality steel and welded together by experienced metal fabricators to ensure they will support the light for as long as you own them. The marine-grade naval brass brackets are an excellent option for salt-air environments.
WIND BAFFLE
Bevolo offers a wind baffle, a discreet secondary wind blocker that easily attaches to the gas jet assembly. It can be added when placing your order or installed relatively easily in the field. The piece is made of borosilicate glass that holds up very well to heat. This is an ideal upgrade for those living near the coast.
PORTABLE LANTERNS
Take a bit of Bevolo craftsmanship and beauty wherever you go with these portable pool house lanterns. Ideal for use in your outdoor living space, these lanterns are designed to be used with large candles to warmly illuminate any area you choose to place them.
FLORIDA WILDLIFE LIGHTING
The Florida Constitution authorizes the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to enact rules and regulations regarding the state’s fish and wildlife resources. The Commission has tested and approved a representative group of Bevolo lights fitted with custom light-deflecting shields.
To learn more and to shop Bevolo Gas & Electric Lights, visit Bevolo.com and follow @bevolo on Instagram and Bevolo Gas & Electric Lights on Facebook.
ARCHITECTURAL TREASURE
Mies van der Rohe’s
Villa Tugendhat
BY ANTHEA GERRIE
Villa Tugendhat in Brno, the Czech Republic
Photo by lulu and isabelle/Shutterstock
Iam standing in a huge glass room that floats as if by magic over the long-sloping garden below, mesmerized by a floor-to-ceiling onyx wall that seems to be catching fire. Flickers of red and orange ripple across its pale gold surface as the sun sinks in the sky, randomly piercing its translucence on a bright spring afternoon in Mitteleuropa.
The onyx, which cost as much as four regular houses for a single slab hewn from Morocco’s Atlas Mountains, is the star feature of a home built nearly a century before today’s six-figure kitchens and infinity swimming pools came on the scene to impress visitors. But the intention was the same; Mies van der Rohe may have spent his working life insisting “less is more,” but that did not stop the architect from sourcing a dazzling expanse of semi-precious stone when he created the fabulous, futuristic Villa Tugendhat for a wealthy couple who granted him an unlimited budget.
The mansion, Mies’s last residential project in Europe, developed over the same period he completed his famous Barcelona pavilion in 1930, has given Brno, the second city of the Czech Republic, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s a fitting accolade for a house that not only revolutionized the way families would live for decades to come but also survived near-destruction by the Nazis, the Communists, and builders who made a hash of the first attempt at renovation.
Villa Tugendhat is reason enough alone to travel to Brno, which led the country in embracing modern architecture in its golden age—the twenty years between independence in 1918 after the break-up of the Habsburg Empire and the brutal seizure of Czechoslovakia by the Nazis. It’s one of six fine pre-war villas tourists can visit, but the only one with ten-foot-high, twenty-foot-wide windows retractable to the floor at the touch of a button to allow the outside in, the very essence of Frank Lloyd Wright’s philosophy of blurring the boundary between house and garden. Mies van der Rohe’s revolutionary steel frame enabled him to offer Fritz and Grete Tugendhat a reception room without walls—the onyx is an interior, non-load-bearing partition offering privacy by closing off the library space where Fritz conducted business while Grete entertained guests by pointing out landmarks on the Brno city skyline in the distance.
Mies van der Rohe may have spent his working life insisting “less is more,” but that did not stop the architect from sourcing a dazzling expanse of semi-precious stone when he created the fabulous, futuristic Villa Tugendhat for a wealthy couple who granted him an unlimited budget.
TThe onyx, which cost as much as four regular houses for a single slab hewn from Morocco’s Atlas Mountains, is the star feature of a home built nearly a century before today’s six-figure kitchens and infinity swimming pools came on the scene to impress visitors.
he richness of materials is the first thing you notice—not even the onyx can eclipse the striped Macassar ebony enclosing the semicircular dining area, its pearwood table expandable to seat eighteen, the massive tenfoot rosewood front door, or the brilliant red velvet upholstering the world’s first tubular steel chaise longue. It’s one of many signature pieces designed for the house by van der Rohe in concert with his longtime collaborator, Lilly Reich (their Tugendhat and Brno chairs created specifically for this showpiece villa are classics still in production).
This room came as a shock to the great and good of Brno, who only discovered it after entering what looks from the street like a handsome but modest singlestory building (the 28,000-square-foot house actually has three floors) and descending a gently spiraling travertine staircase. It must have been a delightful daily
respite to the Tugendhats, who started their days in an intimate suite of wood-paneled bedrooms and bathrooms with proper walls and doors before convening for meals in their glass eyrie below. But their idyll was cut short after just eight years by Nazi persecution, forcing the Jewish family to flee for their lives. They failed to achieve restitution of their property after the war.
Above: The villa has a spectacular view of Brno.
Photo by Peter Turansky/Shutterstock
Above Right: Summer sun on the villa’s modern facade
Photo by Josef Sobotka/Shutterstock
Above: A glimpse of the preserved Moroccan onyx wall in the villa
Photo by David Židlický
The fact Villa Tugendhat has been saved for the world—in part thanks to Grete Tugendhat sharing the secrets of its original design with Mies van der Rohe’s Chicago studio to get renovation efforts underway—is a miracle. The house was abused in the intervening years between the family’s flight in 1938 and Grete’s brief return with Mies’s grandson, Dirk Lohan, in 1967. The gestapo looted the mansion, bricked up its gorgeous curved white glass entry wall, and destroyed many of the fittings when they took possession, followed by the Russian cavalry, who brought in their horses less than a decade later. Reconstruction was not attempted until the 1980s, and it was first done inauthentically. The proper nine-million-dollar renovation to van der Rohe’s plans did not start until after the millennium.
Photos by David Židlický
It’s a fitting accolade for a house that not only revolutionized the way families would live for decades to come but also survived near-destruction by the Nazis, the Communists, and builders who made a hash of the first attempt at renovation.
Still, the house’s most valuable and impressive fixture—that amazing wall of onyx—remained protected from every generation of intruders by the boardingup, which the Tugendhats cannily arranged to conceal and preserve it for the future before leaving their dream home forever.
Photos by David Židlický
HOME A PLACE TO CALL
BUILDING FOR LIFE AND FAMILY
INTERVIEW BY MCKENNA MEARS
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEAN ALLSOPP
Amid the serene landscape of Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, this beautiful home was built not only with bricks and mortar but also through resilience and familial bonds. It is the recently constructed home of Justin Bell’s brother and his family. As the director of architecture and co-CEO of Ruggles Mabe Studio, Bell’s brother faced a daunting challenge when his family’s home was ravaged by fire on May 6, 2020, amid the backdrop of a global pandemic.
Determined to rebuild, Bell spearheaded the project, rallying his team and even engaging his brother’s roofing company. Despite the hurdles posed by the pandemic, the collective effort bore fruit, and by February 2023, the family of five moved into their new abode. Join us as we explore the journey of rebuilding through adversity, where every brick laid and every detail crafted reflects the enduring strength of family.
VIE: What was the emotional impact of designing a new home for your brother and his family after such a devastating loss, and how did it influence your design approach?
Justin Bell: Designing a new home for my brother and his family after such a devastating loss remains the pinnacle of my career. It was a vast and sometimes intense emotional journey that began with profound sadness. I was visiting my brother from Colorado when the fire occurred. We were at dinner when we got word that a fire was headed toward their home. My brother and I rushed there to find the house fully engulfed in flames. Within thirty minutes, they lost everything they owned except the clothes on their backs. Witnessing their despair was heart-wrenching.
“...WHERE EVERY BRICK LAID AND EVERY DETAIL CRAFTED REFLECTS THE ENDURING STRENGTH OF FAMILY.”
However, amid the grief, a glimmer of hope emerged when my brother asked me to design their new home. While daunting, it was also an opportunity to provide solace in the face of tragedy. Unlike my other projects, I was designing this home from the perspective of an architect, brother, and uncle. Knowing these clients extremely well helped inform the design, and it came together rather quickly. The most memorable meeting I had early in the design process was interviewing my nephews Sawyer, Jasper, and Oliver. They each told me what they wanted in their new home and it varied from bunk-bed slides to hidden rooms, but I could tell it gave them a little spark of hope during a hopeless situation. There were ups and downs during the design, budgeting, and construction process, but I never lost sight of my greatest motivation: to give my nephews a home to grow into.
VIE: What are some of your favorite design features in the home and why?
JB: My favorite feature of the home is one that wasn’t photographed. I designed a play loft on the third floor that is only accessible by a ladder in the kids’ bedrooms. If the kids aren’t outside, this is where they
spend most of their time—and it has the best views! My second favorite feature would be the “Bourbon Bar” for my brother Travis. He likes to entertain (and collect bourbon), so this was the most important space for my brother. It’s at the epicenter of the house with views looking out onto the Gulf and proximity to the main living spaces. This is where most people end up congregating, and it can comfortably sit large gatherings. My sister-in-law Holly also loves this space because it keeps people out of her kitchen!
VIE: The home features a transitional coastal style with traditional architectural elements. Can you explain how you achieved this balance and what inspired the aesthetic choices?
JB: From the onset, it was really important to everyone that we design a home that was timeless but also a departure from the typical beach houses you see around town. So, instead of all Hardie siding and metal roofs, we chose natural materials with patina—a reclaimed slate roof from a local building, natural painted brick, copper accent roofs, and wood shutters. We used a color palette of warm whites and soft blues to honor the coastal setting. The house
incorporates many traditional elements but in a minimalistic nature. The house has symmetry and a strong centerline, but it’s more balanced than fully symmetrical. There are gentle pitch breaks at the eaves and a combination of simplistic wood brackets and exposed rafter tails to accentuate the porches. There is an enclosed breezeway from the garage to the house that looks like it used to be an open porch. These details and moments give the home a story and a sense of place. It’s new but doesn’t feel new. It has traditional elements but feels like a fresh take on them. It feels like it’s in place on the water, but it doesn’t look like anything around it. The ultimate goal was to give my family a deeply personal home that would stand the test of time. I think we succeeded in that vision..
VIE: Can you talk about the integration of indoor and outdoor spaces?
JB: The best way to connect indoor and outdoor spaces is visually. From the front door, you can actually see the Gulf, so before you even step inside the house, you are drawn to the water. The main living space—kitchen, dining, and great room—is a large open space with a series of all-glass doors and an eight-by-eight-foot steel window facing the water. With its low profile, the steel window frames views of the pool and ocean while in the great room. You almost feel as though you’re on the water when you’re watching TV. Almost every room on the first floor has a clear view of water. We also designed a series of outdoor porches close to the kitchen but off to the side so as not to block views.
VIE: Looking back on the project, what are some key takeaways or lessons from designing and building a home that is both a personal family project and a professional accomplishment?
JB: The greatest takeaway for me as an architect was perspective. I’ve designed many homes for clients where I put myself in their shoes to understand how they live. This was the first project where it was essential to understand their emotional perspective. I was designing for people who didn’t want a new home; they desperately
needed one. It was the first time I put myself in my clients’ shoes from an emotional perspective. For two years, they bounced around temporary housing that was never their own. Their urgency wasn’t because they wanted extended family over for holidays; they wanted a home to keep their family unit strong when life seemed fragile.
As a big brother, I learned that my little brother is still always right, even if it takes him a few bad decisions to circle back and tell me I was right.
It was an emotional and challenging experience, but those projects are always the most rewarding. I could not have done it without my business partner and interior designer, Emily Lindeman. She kept us all grounded when things were tense and added vibrancy to the home where it needed it. I am also forever thankful for the superbly talented builder and friend John Brown of Gulfview Construction. He built a beautiful home and taught me a thing or two along the way.
VIE: Thank you, Justin!
To learn more about this architectural studio in Denver, Colorado, visit RugglesMabe.com or follow them on Instagram @ruggles_mabe_studio.
If These Trees Could Talk
To learn more about Barnsley Resort, visit BarnsleyResort.com and follow on Instagram @barnsleyresort.
Filled with history, romance, and tranquility, Barnsley Resort in North Georgia provides a threethousand-plus-acre vacation destination for any occasion. The resort’s mission is to promote connection with nature, history, and, most importantly, each other. Initially owned and constructed over two centuries ago by Godfrey Barnsley for his beloved wife, Julia, this grand estate has stood through many walks of life, always preparing guests to take on the next adventure. Tucked away at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this resort offers everything you need to feel completely rejuvenated. From the spa oasis to delectable restaurants and outdoor recreation activities, Barnsley truly has it all!
PRESENTING THE 31ST
SEASIDE Prize™
CELEBRATION
SEASIDE Institute™ Announces Ellen Dunham-Jones and June Williamson as the 2025 Seaside Prize Recipients
February 7–9, 2025
The SEASIDE Institute™ is thrilled to announce the recipients of the prestigious 2025 SEASIDE Prize™. The prize, which is awarded annually, celebrates individuals who have made significant contributions to the fields of architecture, urban planning, and community development.
On this momentous occasion of the Seaside Prize, the Seaside Institute is honored to bestow this recognition upon two distinguished individuals: Ellen Dunham-Jones and June Williamson. The celebration will take place the weekend of February 7–9, 2025, with a variety of events and symposia.
Architects and academics Ellen Dunham-Jones and June Williamson are coauthors of the groundbreaking Retrofitting Suburbia series of books. For over twenty years, they have documented and advocated for successful redevelopment, reinhabitation, and regreening of dead shopping malls, aging office parks, and other parking-lot-dominated real estate into more resilient, just, and community-serving places. Their book Retrofitting Suburbia: Urban Design Solutions for Redesigning Suburbs (Wiley, 2008, updated 2011) won the Association of American Publishers PROSE Award for best architecture and planning book of the year. A sequel, Case Studies in Retrofitting Suburbia: Urban Design Strategies for Urgent Challenges (Wiley, 2021), won a Great Places Book Award from the Environmental Design Research Association. Their work has been widely featured, including in the New York Times, Washington Post, NPR, PBS, and TED.
Ellen Dunham-Jones is professor and director of the MS in Urban Design at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, where she hosts the Redesigning Cities podcast series. She has been honored as the 2018–19 Woman Educator of the Year by Architectural Record, the 2023 Plym Distinguished Visiting Professor at the University of Illinois and by Planetizen in 2017 and 2023 as one of the 100 most influential urbanists. Author of
Ellen Dunham-Jones June Williamson
over 100 papers and book chapters on contemporary design theory and practice, she maintains the suburban retrofit database, tracking over 2,500 entries. She is a fellow and past board chair of the Congress for the New Urbanism and currently serves on the steering committee of the Urban Design Academic Council.
June Williamson is professor and director of Graduate Programs in Architecture at the City College of New York’s Bernard and Anne Spitzer School of Architecture. Her sole-authored book Designing Suburban Futures: New Models from Build a Better Burb (Island Press, 2013) contextualizes and documents an innovative urban design ideas competition for re-envisioning suburban areas of Long Island. She serves on the board of directors of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture. She has practiced and taught architecture and urban design across the United States in New York City, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Salt Lake City, and Boston.
The Seaside Prize is a testament to the tremendous impact Williamson and Dunham-Jones have had on the built environment. Their books and teachings inspire architects, planners, urban designers, developers, and community leaders to retrofit aging, underperforming suburban properties to address urgent challenges, disrupt automobile dependence, improve public health, support an aging society, leverage social capital for equity, compete for jobs, and add water and energy resilience. Together they have worked to bring change to education and to communities to “retrofit suburbia.”
The Seaside Institute will formally present the Seaside Prize to Dunham-Jones and Williamson at the awards ceremony on February 8, 2025, by Seaside, Florida, founder Robert Davis. The ceremony will be hosted at The Chapel at Seaside, and it promises to be an evening of celebration, reflection, and inspiration.
For more information about the Seaside Prize and the Seaside Institute, please visit SeasideInstitute.org.
About the SEASIDE Prize™
The Seaside Prize is an annual award presented by the Seaside Institute to individuals who have made significant contributions to the fields of architecture, urban planning, and community development. The recipients are selected based on their exceptional achievements, commitment to design excellence, and their positive impact on communities around the world.
About the SEASIDE Institute™
The Seaside Institute was founded in 1982. It is a nonprofit organization that has been dedicated to advancing the ideas of community, education, and design for forty-two years. Through research, programs, and events, the institute strives to create sustainable, resilient, and livable communities. With its roots in the iconic town of Seaside, Florida, the Seaside Institute serves as a collaborative hub for architects, urban planners, and community leaders.
About SEASIDE®
Seaside, Florida, was founded in 1981 by Robert and Daryl Davis. Later, the architectural influence of Andrés Duany and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk explored the ideas of traditional town design before sprawl became the new normal. Seaside is considered the birthplace of New Urbanism through its influence and radical ideas to minimize the trending sprawl and go back to the roots of walkable, sustainable, mixed-use town planning. Seaside soon became a place people sought out to experience as a retreat. Other towns and communities worldwide were influenced by the core principles Seaside embodies. Seaside has become a movement, not just a location, as its rich roots and history make it a unique pioneer to all who study New Urbanism principles.
CHURCHILL OAKS
THE HEART OF COMMUNITY
An Insider’s Guide
In this issue, explore the thriving real estate market of Northwest Florida’s coastal region, where you can find and invest in your dream home by the Gulf, bay, or anywhere in between! Our local real estate experts are here to give you the rundown and showcase some fantastic properties near the beautiful Emerald Coast in this special edition of VIE. Whether you are searching for a primary home, vacation home, or investment property, there is something for everyone.
"Nestled on forty acres in the bend of Churchill Bayou and Hogtown Bayou in the Choctawhatchee Bay, you'll find Churchill Oaks, a new residential community designed to embrace all the beauty nature has to offer." For more on the beautiful Churchill Oaks community, visit ChurchillOaksFlorida.com, follow @churchilloaksfl on Instagram, and turn the page!
Photo courtesy of Churchill Oaks
The Heart of Community CHURCHILL OAKS
By MORGAN POWER
Photography courtesy of CHURCHILL OAKS
aterfront living is the pinnacle of the Northwest Florida lifestyle, but many may not know that Choctawhatchee Bay offers the chance to enjoy gorgeous views and more privacy for those seeking an alternative to a Gulf-front home. Churchill Oaks is one of the premier gated communities on the bay and offers owners a peaceful and cozy refuge whether they choose to make it their primary home or a vacation retreat.
Roy and Wendy Sembera, the developers of the neighborhood, have worked tirelessly to create the life they want for themselves through thoughtful planning, hosting events, and creating a true family-oriented community for their homeowners. As visionaries who love what they’re doing and care about their neighbors, their dedication to improving
and maintaining the integrity of their original plan, which began around 2010, is a true testament to their passion and heart for Churchill Oaks. The Semberas know every homeowner and genuinely promote a united neighborhood.
With gorgeous bay views, luxury amenities, friendly social gatherings, and numerous nature trails, this community provides homeowners and guests with activities to enjoy anytime. Owners have the opportunity to utilize the thirty-six deepwater private boat slips of the Churchill Oaks Marina and a bayfront community pool and clubhouse, with plans to expand and add even more amenities in the next couple of years, including pickleball courts, a basketball court, grills, paddleboard racks, an adults-only clubhouse, and more. Churchill Oaks is set to become even more attractive with phase two and beyond.
According to the neighborhood’s planners, “The whole community is thoughtfully designed around Southern magnolias, live oaks, and longleaf pines, leaving 40 percent of the property green and natural, creating an environment well suited for the community’s Low Country-inspired architecture that accentuates the style and grandeur of the South.”
Left: A beautiful home and the pathways of Churchill Oaks, an exclusive gated bayfront neighborhood in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida
Among the lush greenery and preservation space scattered throughout the community, Churchill Oaks offers breathtaking water views and private courtyard spaces at most of its homesites, making it one of the most environmentally stunning communities in the area. Roy Sembera says, “The most beautiful place in the world to me is my backyard in Louisiana, and I wanted to create that feeling here.”
As mentioned, the Churchill Oaks Community offers wonderful common areas for owners and guests alike, practically eliminating the desire to leave! With a clubhouse, three pools, a commercial-grade kitchen, a media room, a fitness center, an outdoor bar, two spring-fed lakes, walking trails, a playground, and much more, this is the perfect community for those wanting to reap the benefits of inhabiting such a beautiful environment.
The most beautiful place in the world to me is my backyard in Louisiana, and I wanted to create that feeling here.
Above: The Churchill Oaks clubhouse includes an infinityedge pool, kitchen, entertainment and meeting spaces, and more.
Left: Churchill Oaks homeowners and guests enjoy views of the Choctawhatchee Bay and private deepwater boat slips at the community’s marina.
An Open House to Remember
This summer, Churchill Oaks visionaries and developers Roy and Wendy Sembera welcomed their neighbors, friends, and family to their newly built home on the bay for an exclusive housewarming party. The residence, designed by Matt Savoie of Savoie Architects and built by Grand Bay Construction with interiors by Marisol Gullo and Wendy Sembera, is truly a gem within this gorgeous community.
Photos by Gerald F. Burwell
Lisa Marie Burwell and Demetrius Fuller
Reuben Murphy, Susan Lovelace, and Tony Gullo
George Barnes and Gayle Schoettle
John D’amico, Wendy and Roy Sembera
Brent and Susan Woodard
Marisol Gullo, Lisa Marie Burwell, and Susan Lovelace
Madra McDonald and Chris Burch
Janice Gaultney, Jean Knittel, Gary and Alice Stampfli
311 TYLER DRIVE $4,250,000
From nature enthusiasts to boat lovers, Churchill Oaks invites those seeking a community with heart and generational living. Several beautiful homes are currently for sale inside its prestigious gates. Tucked among centuries-old oaks along the Hogtown Bayou in Santa Rosa Beach, this charming five-bedroom, five-and-a-halfbathroom property awaits a loving family. This particular five-thousand-plus-square-foot home, 311 Tyler Drive, was meticulously built by Grand Bay Construction, designed by Savoie Architects, staged with interiors by Marisol Gullo, and is listed by John D’amico with Compass real estate, the Churchill Oaks exclusive listing agent.
Integrating classic and contemporary design touches throughout, this new-construction home is the perfect location to host lively gatherings with loved ones or to wind down and relax after a long day. The open-concept floor plan promotes a sought-after indoor-outdoor lifestyle, making it even more enjoyable to celebrate any occasion.
To learn more about 311 Tyler Drive or the Churchill Oaks Community, contact Compass agent John D’amico at Compass.com/agents/john-d’amico, or visit ChurchillOaksFlorida.com.
311 Tyler Drive at Churchill Oaks, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida
Hideaway A GULF-FRONT IN CARILLON BEACH
BY MORGAN POWER
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ARRAY, COURTESY OF COLGAN SIMON WRIGHT
Inside private gates teeming with exceptional real estate, architectural inspiration, and breathtaking views, the Carillon Beach community features 517 Beachside Gardens, a 6,000-plus-square-foot home you will never want to leave. Boasting high ceilings and plenty of natural sunlight, this is the perfect oasis for anyone looking to take full advantage of the beach lifestyle with 197 feet of frontage on the Gulf of Mexico.
estled along the Emerald Coast of Florida between Scenic Highway 30-A and Panama City Beach, this beachfront property offers large-scale living spaces expanded across three levels, offering indoor and outdoor areas catering to the Gulf-front lifestyle. The home boasts carefully curated coastal interiors by Jennifer DiCerbo of The French Mix and reveals bright pops of color while maintaining a timeless, luxurious feel. Whether as a family home or investment property, this property will keep guests returning for more fun and relaxation with every visit!
Listing agent Lesly Simon of the Colgan Simon Wright Group with Corcoran Reverie graciously gave the VIE team a walk-through of this stunning property. Simon is also a part of the interior design team at Colgan Simon alongside Tyler
Colgan and was a recent guest of host Lisa Marie Burwell on the VIE Speaks podcast.
“One of my favorite things about this home is all the different spaces that have these beautiful Gulf views. Whether you’re in the living room, the dining room, the office, the upstairs sitting room, or five out of the seven bedrooms, you can see the beautiful views of the Gulf of Mexico.”
The first floor of this home provides three lavish bedroom suites, a laundry room, an additional half bathroom, and a wet bar upon entry. This level also
includes an oversized lounge and deck area with a private pool, a gas firepit, and a direct walkover to the private white-sand beach. Whether you are looking for a quiet area to relax or one to host celebrations and family events, this home offers plenty of breathtaking spaces to do it all.
The second floor comprises the main living room, dining room, and kitchen, plus an office, a powder bath, and a porch spanning the length of the home to encourage an open-concept, indoor-to-outdoor living space. The kitchen is the ultimate space for entertaining, as the custom cabinetry and oversized island allow for plenty of space and seating to accommodate family and friends. The kitchen area
“Whether you're in the living room, the dining room, the office, the upstairs sitting room, or five out of the seven bedrooms, you are able to see the beautiful views of the Gulf of Mexico.”
With neighborhood amenities including three extravagant community pools, a park, a basketball court, tennis courts, pickleball courts, walking paths, and more, you and your guests are certain to have something new to do each day.
is also equipped with a walk-in pantry, a professional appliance suite, and an additional wet bar for further entertainment and storage.
The third floor presents two additional bedroom suites, a laundry room, a wet bar, and a seating area to soak in the magnificent views of the coast! Each bedroom suite on this property offers walkin closet space, an ensuite bathroom, and direct porch access.
Want your guests to feel even more at home while visiting? Just across the breezeway, this property provides a charming guest home with two additional bedroom suites and a fully functional kitchen. This guest home also has a covered patio space, promoting privacy for owners and guests throughout their stay.
The Carillon Beach community offers even more reasons to buy. With neighborhood amenities,
including three extravagant community pools, a park, a basketball court, tennis courts, pickleball courts, walking paths, and more, you and your guests will surely have something new to do each day. This community also offers twentyfour-hour security within the private gates, so you can feel at ease while enjoying the vacation lifestyle.
Downtown Carillon offers restaurants, retail, and fitness options, adding to the list of things to do without ever getting on Highway 98! Lake Carillon is also located in the heart of the Carillon Beach community and is home to turtles, bass, sunset views, and more. Lake Carillon is an excellent place to bring anyone who might enjoy activities such as fishing, kayaking, or paddleboarding.
This community also offers interfaith church service for owners and guests each Sunday morning at The Meeting House, which also acts as an elegant space to host weddings and annual events such as a Fourth of July golf cart parade, Christmas tree lighting, and more!
To explore 517 Beachside Gardens or the Carillon Beach community, visit ColganSimon.com and CarillonBeach.com. You can also follow @leslysimon72 and @colgansimonwright on Instagram for updates.
An Elevated Parisian Experience
Owning and operating over thirty designer apartments in some of the most distinguished districts of Paris, including Champs-Elysées, Le Marais, Louvre Rivoli, and Saint Honore, HIGHSTAY offers an ultra-magnificent vacation or lifestyle experience for every guest.
Located within walking distance from many of Paris’s main sites and landmarks, HIGHSTAY’s luxury rentals provide the ideal stay for guests to experience sightseeing, cuisine, shopping, historical sites, events, and just delighting in Parisian elegance.
To learn more about HIGHSTAY apartments, visit HIGHSTAY.com and follow @highstayparis on Instagram.
Photo by Raphael Dautigny
Finding Peace at Kaiya Beach Resort
19 ASTRA WAY, #M12 | $3,724,000 OFFERED BY ROSEMARY
BEACH REALTY
aiya is an intimate residential and resort community, born of a dream and a quest for a life well lived.”
Along the beautiful white-sand beaches of Northwest Florida, Kaiya Beach Resort offers an intimate and private escape for residents and guests alike. Being located in the center of the action yet maintaining a quiet and tranquil atmosphere is just one of the perks of this stunning Gulf-front community.
Nestled in the heart of Kaiya Beach, this threebedroom, three-and-a-half-bathroom townhome is a true gem along the breathtaking Emerald Coast. This property is not just a home but a sanctuary where every detail promotes luxury and tranquility. Whether you desire a private retreat or like hosting grand cocktail parties, this townhome has it all. Featuring a gourmet kitchen with Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances, a built-in Wolf coffee system, a Sub-Zero wine cooler, and a nugget ice machine to keep you cool all summer long, you will have all you need for entertaining!
This property boasts interior touches that incorporate comfort and style, including sleek white oak stairs leading to a custom midnight kitchen and a primary bedroom that is a true sight to behold, with a marbletiled bathroom and attached private sun deck. Showcasing Marbletite steel-troweled stucco and masonry walls across the exterior, this home fits in perfectly with the beautiful Kaiya Beach community.
Kaiya Beach is a resort-style private neighborhood offering more than just a place to live or vacation—it provides a tranquil landscape where residents can immerse themselves in the beauty of coastal living. With the beach just a stone’s throw away and many special events along 30-A throughout the year, Kaiya is a place where every day feels like a retreat. Don’t miss this opportunity to own a piece of paradise designed by Khoury Vogt Architects and developed by Romair Construction. Experience the magic of beach living at its finest!
19 Astra Way #M12 is listed by Cyndi Wilkinson, Rosemary Beach Realty; contact her at (850) 814-4323 or cwilkinson@rosemarybeachrealty.com. Visit RosemaryBeachRealty.com to discover this and many other incredible properties along Northwest Florida’s Scenic Highway 30-A and beyond.
... a tribute to the vibrant neighborhood, positioned at the heart of Waikīkī, mere steps away from the pristine beaches.
Tucked away in Honolulu, Hawaii, and based off sister hotel Romer Hell’s Kitchen in New York City, this new establishment provides the sole adults-only neighborhood hotel on O’ahu, sure to give you an experience to remember. Mixing an eclectic and sociable atmosphere with much to do, this hotel will make for a memorable stay!
A GULF-FRONT OASIS OFFERED BY THE SMILE OF 30A, LINDA MILLER REAL ESTATE
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALEX HALL, WHITECAP PRODUCTIONS
THE ULTIMATE GULF-FRONT CONDO EXPERIENCE
Nestled along the coveted Scenic Highway 30-A, 31 on 30A is more than a residence—it’s a statement. Residence #108, in particular, offers a lifestyle that whispers, “You’ve made it,” with an air of sophisticated charm that’s hard to match. As the only plan boasting three Gulf-front bedrooms, it promises a coastal experience that’s second to none, wrapped in a package of luxury and exclusivity.
UNMATCHED INTERIORS AND EXPANSIVE GULF VIEWS
Imagine waking up each morning to the sight of the turquoise Gulf, your private balcony serving as the stage for nature’s most stunning show. Residence #108 features an expansive living and dining area with views so captivating that you’ll forget what day it is. The interiors are nothing short of magnificent, with upgraded cabinets, tile, and shiplap in the living room that reflect a
commitment to superior craftsmanship. Each of the three bedrooms and their adjoining balconies offer stunning vistas of the Gulf, ensuring the beauty of the coastline is never out of sight.
MASTER BEDROOM: A SANCTUARY WITH A VIEW
The master bedroom is a sanctuary of serenity and luxury. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows allow you to wake up each morning to the pristine beauty of the beach and the inviting pool below. This seamless connection to the outdoors transforms every moment into a serene escape.
EXCLUSIVE AMENITIES AND
FEATURES
Residence #108 includes underground parking with a private elevator that opens directly into your unit. Every detail has been considered, from upgraded lighting and furnishings to flooring, shades, drapery, and an electric fireplace that adds a touch of warmth and elegance.
THE MASTER BEDROOM IS A SANCTUARY OF SERENITY AND LUXURY ... THIS SEAMLESS CONNECTION TO THE OUTDOORS TRANSFORMS EVERY MOMENT INTO A SERENE ESCAPE.
A HAVEN OF SECURITY, PRIVACY, AND DESIGN
The 31 on 30A resort is the ultimate destination for discerning owners seeking security, privacy, and design. Spanning 3.92 acres and boasting over 335 feet of beachfront, the property offers ample space for relaxation and recreation. Amenities include generous storage options, a luxuriously appointed lobby, and a state-of-the-art fitness center, ensuring every need is met with style and sophistication.
A condo at 31 on 30A is more than a residence; it’s a lifestyle. Whether you are drawn by the stunning Gulf views, the meticulously designed interiors, or the promise of unparalleled privacy and relaxation, this luxury condo offers an extraordinary living experience. For those who demand the very best in beachfront living, residence #108 at 31 on 30A is the ultimate choice.
Visit TheSmileof30A.com and search for 31 on 30A (3820 East County Highway 30-A) Unit #108 to learn more or schedule an appointment.
Lola
Authentic Italian Cuisine in a Family Style Dining Setting!
Chef/Owner Tom Catherall is a Certified Master Chef. His legacy extends to Lola Coastal Italian and, most recently, Aja 30A, which boasts a menu of elevated Asian cuisine. From 1996 to 2014, he operated 12 concept restaurants across 15 locations in Atlanta, leaving an indelible mark.
Monday–Saturday | Opens at 5:00 PM 10343 East County HWY 30A Rosemary Beach , FL 32461 LolaCoastalItalian.com @lolacoastalitalian (850) 299-4030
Galerie Half Selected Works / Spaces Book
galeriehalf.com – $125
Discover elegant vases and sculptural pieces that add a touch of sophistication to any room, plus chic apparel designs perfect for making a statement. Decorate your home with our handpicked furniture pieces, blending form and function effortlessly. Finally, adorn your coffee table with unique printings celebrating architectural beauty and creativity. Whether your space is modern and dark, eclectic and eccentric, or preppy and vintage, the VIE team says, “Happy shopping!”
12 Directly Into the Sun Studs, 18k Gold and Spessartine Garnet emilyweldcollins.com – $850
Blend
Marbled Wastepaper Bin in Green cabanamagazine.com – $125
Crosses Swim Trunks emporiosirenuse.com – $170
Wave Flutes in Blue fazeek.co – $109
Versa Carafe in Pink + Amber fazeek.co – $145
HISTORIC CHARM, MODERN COMFORT
THE ART OF ARCHITECTURE
BY MYLES MELLOR
Puzzle on previous page
I call architecture frozen music. “ ”
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Versace by Rothenthal Butterfly Garden Service Plate, 13 inch
Our Impact Since 2005:
18,301 Children Helped 158,354 Procedures Provided $8,569,169 Value of Donated Services
2024–2025 School Year (Through April 2025*)
24 SCHOOLS
In 2023-2024, Program Enrollment was up +56%, and we anticipate a record number of children in the new school year. Please donate or find out how you can help at www.CVHNkids.org!
CVHN brings preventative dental care services directly to 24 different schools and community partners in Okaloosa and Walton Counties. (850) 622-3200
WITH THANKS FOR THE SUPPORT OF:
Idyll Hound Proper
Marble Slab
Cuvee 30A
Canopy Road Café
Goatfeathers
Aja 30A
To learn more about Felt Right, visit FeltRight.com and follow @feltrightproducts on Instagram.
Au revoir!
BEFORE YOU GO . . .
“I lived in a tent my first year of college because I needed the refuge of the outdoors to help me feel centered. I am worried that the wilderness we take for granted will soon disappear,” says founder Talley Goodson of Felt Right. Her company offers eco-friendly, artistic felt wall coverings to spruce up your space while taking care of our planet.
Inspired by a lifelong passion for outdoor adventures, a deep concern for environmental sustainability, and a career focused on sustainable design for over twenty years, Goodson founded Felt Right to offer customizable felt tiles that can elevate interior and outdoor areas in your home or office.
