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Please Text* 104120 to Pepsi (73774) and VOTE DAILY online to send kids with cancer and their families to Where Skies are Blue.

Summer Dream Porch Swing

Summertime. Cousins. Popsicles. Porch swing.

SUMMER DREAM

Life is good in the WindMark Beach Idea House!

Book your stay today:

Summer Dream Vacation Rental - WindMark Beach

photo by: Kim Stone Photography

WindMark Idea House -- DIY Artwork on a Budget

Photo: Antoine Bootz, Courtesy of: MyHomeIdeas.com
The Master Bedroom we won from MyHomeIdeas was simply extraordinary. The deep purple walls were even more luxurious in person. The beds, upholstered furniture, lavish bedding and window treatments were all here when we finally took possession of the home. The artwork, however, had been on loan from the sponsors, and did not convey with the home. So . . . we were thrilled for the opportunity to add our own personal touches to this and other rooms.
The paintings in the room were reproductions of drawings from a 19th century scientist, Albertus Seba. After a little research, I found the artwork could be purchased at around $2000 per piece. Since I wished to maintain the character of this room, but obviously didn't have the budget needed to duplicate it exactly, I opted for a more reasonably priced alternative.

On Amazon, I found a coffee table book featuring the Natural Curiosities Collection. Many of the prints inside the Idea House were inside this book (on a smaller scale than the originals).
I purchased the used copy of the book (I paid about $20), brought it home, then carefully removed the pages from the binding. (A box cutter made this task much easier and preserved the quality of the photos. I cut only the threads attaching the binding, not the pages, at this point.)
I used a paper trimmer to trim the selected photos from the book. . .

Then floated the pictures atop cardboard mounting squares before framing. I found the frames on sale for $5 at Walmart.

Photo: Robert Tobler
Though, I was unable to locate exact replicas of the first prints which graced the walls of the WindMark Master Bedroom, our versions still seemed to maintain the "Old Florida" vibe of the room ~ at a substantial savings.

To view more photos from the WindMark Idea House, visit our vacation rental website: Summer Dream Cottage or MyHomeIdeas -- the website that changed our life, and made this Florida girl's Summer Dream Come True.

Summer -- Still a Dream Come True at WindMark Beach Idea House

I loved the unspoiled simplicity of WindMark Beach. Devoid of crowds most folks expect in Florida, this peaceful shoreline along the Forgotten Coast felt like our very own secret hideaway for the 4th of July weekend.

We danced along the shore. We searched for treasures and were not disappointed. Dozens of live sand dollars tickeled our toes along the sandbar -- what a thrill. We played until the sun went down, and carried home a heartfull of memories. Our Summer Dreams keep coming true each time we visit our sweet home at WindMark Beach.

Back at the house, we read the beach stories of other families (over a dozen already this year!) vacationing at Summer Dream. Our guest book is already filling up with lively tales of cuddling on the porch, board games during afternoon showers, sandcastle building, and "catching the big one" in St. Joe Bay's crystal blue waters. What a joy to share the WindMark Idea House with others. What a blessing for our children to create lasting memories as well.

Thanks to all who have visited. And thanks again to MyHomeIdeas for our Summer Dream Come True!

More Pictures from the Porch -- Summer Dream Porch Party 2009

What a joy to spend time with family Summer Dream. Here I am with my sister, Buffie, Mom, daughter, and my Pops.

My daughter listens to shells with Aunt Tabs . . . "I hear nothing, what about you?" she exclaims.

My mother is pictured here with friends from their self-proclaimed, "Porch Group." I like to call them the Ya-Ya's. Spending an evening with them made me cry with laughter.

My daughter looks more like her prized Aunt Buffie than she does her mom!

More friends and neighbors . . . I was so thrilled to share the time with them.

The gals on the porch . . . the stories flowed like wine, and well, we had lots of that too! What a Summer Dream come true!!

Summer Dream Wall Art and Coastal Decor

During our visit to Summer Dream, we added finishing touches to the decor of the main room.
A double-sleeper ottoman with tray tables, World Market table, candles, greenery . . .

Colorful and coastal serving pieces and glassware for the kitchen. The drink server was here -- we only needed to fill it with pink lemonade (and a splash of something bubbly as the night went on . . . )

The wall art in the main room includes photographic images taken during our first Christmas visit to WindMark and Summer Dream. My mother framed the hometown newspaper account of our win, which we placed in the entry to this room.

I love how the sepia beach prints (taken on WindMark's private beach) reflect the orange touches within the room. Guests to Summer Dream have filled this book basket with personal magazines and tour brochures enjoyed during their visit.

Also collected in the home by our guests: wine corks from numerous celebrations, sea shells from sunset beach searches, and dozens of beach stories in the Summer Dream guest journal.

I simply love the joy of sharing this home with others. What a blessing to know so many magical memories are created each week within this home, on its porches, and along the miles of BeachWalks and sandy shoreline of WindMark Beach. What a Summer Dream Come True!

We hope you'll visit us soon: Summer Dream Cottage

Plein Air Painting of Summer Dream Cottage

During the Summer Dream Porch Party, I was honored to welcome a Northwest Florida artist, Jill Berry, to stay in our home during the Plein Air Paintout.
To thank us for her stay in the Sunrise Suite, she painted this rendering of the house for us. I was thrilled to see her interpretation, and equally thankful she shared her inspiration . . .

"I wouldn't have expected myself to choose this frontal view, but the more
distant angle seemed to have an outsider feel, like from the neighbor's
perspective. My impression of the place is so welcoming with the perfect
porch. My concept for the painting is based around that piece of light though
the breezeway in the back. I want the viewer's eye to go up the steps onto the
porch and be drawn into the house. It's the silver lining or perhaps the gold at
the end of the rainbow. I hope I pulled it off." ~Jill Berry

Thank you, Jill, for such a thoughtful gift! We will find a place of honor in Summer Dream to showcase your beautiful work.

Check out Jill's Plein Air Painting Journal on her blog.

Beach House Outdoor Shower

Behind this curtain . . . lies the coziest

Outdoor shower, with plenty of flip flops to welcome you to the beach. . . and

A cozy spot for a little one to rest or tap her feet in the puddles . . .

We had so much fun at Summer Dream this weekend. We hope you can come visit us soon!!

Beach House Bunkroom -- A Summer Dreamer's Delight!

During our visit to Summer Dream, we put the finishing touches on the kids' room. . . So much Fun! With toys, books, family dvd's, and enough sleeping space for six Summer Dreamers (2 bunks with trundles below), giggles are ever-present in this Beach House bunkroom.

We found the artwork in Port St. Joe at Palm Tree Books & Other Cool Stuff. We loved the sea turtle print, so we found some "friends" to keep him company on the wall. WindMark is a sea turtle-friendly community, so we thought it would be a fun theme to incorporate into this space.
The child's adirondack chair came from Sam's Club. We bought a pair, and placed its partner in the outdoor shower.

New carpeting has been added. The seagrass flooring was beautiful, but not as kind to the feet. We wanted to give the kids who visit us a soft place to play. This child's room became complete with the addition of this comfy reading chair from Target. . . The troops can pile on the floor with all the new sea life pillows, while Mom or Grandpa narrates a beachy bedtime story. (We have lots of those here.)

If this vacation home feels like a Summer Dream come true for you too . . . visit us at http://www.summerdreamcottage.com/ to plan your stay.

Porch Party Pictures!!

Back from the Porch Party! We realized ANY photo taken on this porch looks like it came from a magazine.
I loved catching up with my sister Buffie.
Lounging with my dad, and Jill Berry, an artist from the Plein Air Paintout who stayed with us, and will be painting a rendering of our home while she is there! Check out some of her work here.
We had a fabulous time, partied into the night, cooked up goodies in this fabulous kitchen.
And yes . . . we chose a winner . . . to be announced very soon!!

All the photos here came from our dear friend, Linda Brown, who joined us for our girlfriend getaway. . . Check in again, more to follow!!

Summer Dream Porch Party, May 9th -- Win a Free Stay in the WindMark Beach IdeaHouse!

We'd love for you to join us for a:

Summer Dream Porch Party & Open House

Saturday, May 9th, between 11am-5pm EST

While visiting WindMark and Port St. Joe for the Plein Air Paintout,

Stop by Summer Dream for snacks and lemonade.

Tour the MyHomeIdeas 2008 Idea House and

Enter for Your chance to WIN a two night stay at Summer Dream.

We can't wait to see you at WindMark Beach!!

Click here for directions to WindMark Beach

WindMark Beach PleinAir Paintout and Summer Dream Porch Picnic May 9th, 2009

Join us at Summer Dream for an artful celebration you'll not soon forget! (Scroll down to learn how you may WIN a two-night stay at Summer Dream!!)

PLEIN AIR PAINTERS CREATE LASTING MEMORIES OF FORGOTTEN COAST IN GREAT PAINT-OUT MAY 7-17, 2009

“Plein Air” Defined: According to the website, PleinAirFl.com
“Plein Air” , a French word, simply translated means ”open air”. The roots of plein air painting are found in 19th-century Europe. An Englishman, John Constable, believed that artists should forget” formulas” and trust their own vision in finding truth in nature.

About the same time in France, in a small village called Barbizon, a group of artists focused their attention on a subject matter that had never been done before, everyday life and the natural world surrounding it. These realists laid the ground work for the next development: Impressionism. Plein air forever changed how artists see the world.

A true plein air painting is done on location, capturing the atmosphere of the moment. The majority of the painting must be completed on site with little to no work to be done in the studio. Most artists agree this is the true test of skill as it requires complete confidence in placement of color and brushwork in a short amount of time. For example, a sunset may only last 30-40 minutes. That would be all the time the artist has to capture the scene.

Nationally recognized plein air artists have been selected to capture the allure of the Florida's Forgotten Coast with paint and canvas. Artists will be painting on the beach, across the marsh, beside the lakes and throughout the streets of waterfront towns from Mexico Beach, Windmark, Port St. Joe, Cape San Blas, Apalachicola, Eastpoint, St. George Island, Carrabelle, and inland at Wewahitchka. You are cordially invited to join us at this premier art exhibition and sale featuring on-location artists. Experience beauty through the eyes of America's finest plein air artists!

Plein air is all about capturing the light and the nuance of life in a natural outdoor setting.

Schedule of Events
May 8-17 Watch Art Happen, artists paint between Mexico Beach and Alligator Point

May 10-16 WindMark Village Center Town Hall: Available Works, art viewing & sales
Daily 11-5pm EST

May 11-15 Plein Air Classics, an exhibit of private collection paintings, Gulf County TDC Welcome Center, Daily 9-5pm EST

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

May 9

SUMMER DREAM Porch Picnic, Home Tour, and Free Stay Giveaway!! Enter to win a two-night stay in Summer Dream! Visit us in WindMark Beach between 1-5pm EST before attending WindMark Beach's opening reception at 6pm. All visitors to SUMMER DREAM Porch Picnic and Open House may enter our drawing to win a two-night stay.

May 8

Dual Opening Receptions, meet the artists, event organizers and patrons: In the
West at the WindMark Village Center, In the East at SummerCamp, both 6-8 pm EST

May 9

Reid Avenue Quickdraw, artists from the region capture Port St. Joe in the Plein
Air tradition, children's art project and music, 10-4pm EST. More information and
application.

May 12

Student Art Day, Maddox Park, lunch follows at the Gulf County TDC Welcome
Center, Port St. Joe, 10-1pm EST

May 13

Art Tete-e-tete & Wine Tasting, artist reception, Prickly Pears, Mexico
Beach, 5-7pm CST

May 15

Plein Air TGIF, relax with artists overlooking St. Joe Bay, Gulf County TDC WelcomeCenter, Port St. joe, ticket required, 5:30-8:30pm EST

This is only a PARTIAL event listing for activities taking place in Port St. Joe and WindMark Beach. For a comprehensive listing of Plein Air Paintout events along the Forgotten Coast, visit PleinAirFl.com .

Our Sea Turtle Friends

My daughter and I just enjoyed these wonderful books about Sea Turtles . . . followed by a lively conversation of how these wonderful animals are protected near our new Florida home.

The Sea Turtle Nesting Season begins May 1st and runs through October 31st in Gulf County, Florida. WindMark Beach is the ONLY community in the state of Florida to earn a "Wildlife-Friendly" certification because of its efforts to preserve these and other wonderful creatures sharing their coast. WindMark uses specialized lighting to keep lights off the beach and the adjacent wildlife community within the Village.Hatching sea turtles move toward the brightest light on the beach at night, because they instinctively believe it is the moon shining over the water. At WindMark Beach, the developers ensured the Village lighting is not even visible from the beach.

Bill Lynn, a wildlife biologist employed by WindMark and St. Joe Company, says that, "Protecting the environment is important to our company. Not only that, our customers want to be environmentally friendly."
While most coastal counties have lighting ordinances, it is still an issue on some beaches. Some highly imperiled turtle species, such as giant leatherback turtles and loggerheads, nest on these same beaches.When the hatchlings dig to the surface, normally at night, and see street lights, they head toward them and away from the water, which often means they die.

In 2003 biologists determined over 79,300 hatchling sea turtles on Florida coasts either died or had to be picked up and returned to the water after heading inland. Lights displayed on beaches also disrupt the nesting habits of several species of shorebirds, making them more vulnerable to predation.

Dean Gallagher was the FWC biologist who worked with St. Joe and their
wildlife-friendly certification for WindMark Beach. He now works with the
University of Hawaii. He has high praise for the way everyone connected with the
project embraced the idea of making it a wildlife-friendly development.

"Instead of using 40-foot poles for street lighting, they used low, 12-foot
poles with full-cutoff fixtures. They were so well-done you can't see the
lighting from the beach," Gallagher said. ~Port St. Joe Star,
May 9, 2007

This summer, families who visit Summer Dream will be able to observe loggerhead turtles in their natural habitat. You may even choose to join the Gulf Coast Conservation Association's efforts to preserve this endangered species, by signing up to perform "Turtle Patrol" during your stay. To learn more about the sea turtles in Gulf County, or to volunteer during your WindMark Beach vacation, visit the GCA Turtles website.

Summer Dream Cottage Website Launch

What is Your Summer Dream?

Maybe it's rising with the sun,
fishing in the tides, splashing in the surf,
and romancing by the light of the moon.

Maybe it's children laughing, screen doors clapping, and families gathering to grill and serve the daily catch.

Maybe it's a peaceful afternoon wrapped in the welcoming arms of a porch bed swing with a good book, iced tea, and a gentle Gulf breeze as company.

Whatever your vision . . . A Summer Dream getaway beckons you to celebrate life's simple joys.

Visit: SummerDreamCottage.Com to plan your own Summer Dream Vacation.

Flip Flop Welcome

Our flip flop stop has been featured as an owner tip on HomeAway.com . HomeAway asked, "What gifts do you offer to welcome guests?"

"Flip Flops! We won our vacation home from MyHomeIdeas.Com. When we arrived to the home, the outdoor shower was stocked with flip flops. Our children quickly tossed off their street shoes and chose a colorful pair of flops for their stay. We were so touched, we decided to purchase a case of flip flops, and keep the shower stocked for new guests upon arrival. The flip flops have been a huge hit, and a fun way to welcome guests to our Summer Dream House in Windmark Beach." -Leisa, Port St. Joe, FL (HomeAway #94102, VRBO #220237)

We can't wait to see you at the beach!!
Leisa

Reid Avenue -- Friendly Shopping on the Forgotten Coast

During your visit to Port St. Joe, be sure to pay a visit to the shops on Reid Avenue. We spent hours along this street. I'm certain the shopowners here were among the friendliest on the Gulf coast. PortSide Trading Co. allowed us to "try on" our purchases in the new Sunrise Suite. . .

Among our favorite finds were the porcelain fish platters. The details are hard to see here, but the silver eyes matched the detailing along the bed. The tables were also a fun find, and were perfect for the space.

Summer Dream at Windmark Beach -- Bunk Room and Guest Suite

The New Summer Dream Beach House in Port St. Joe, Florida (so generously gifted to us from MyHomeIdeas.com) has been officially transformed into Windmark Beach's newest vacation home!! The bunk room is now complete. This room which previously housed the guest suite, offers a snug getaway for children and adults alike. It now sleeps six (between the two bunks and trundles), and features books to read, toys for play, and a tv and game system to keep the younger set entertained.

What was once a child's room . . . is now a dreamy space to greet a sunrise. I am especially proud of this room. We used the gorgeous bed and upholstered furnishings the designer, Dale Trice, left with the home. We added the tables, porcelain fish, and mirrored coastal artwork from PortSide Trading on Reid Avenue in Port St. Joe, coral lamps from LampsPlus.com

We brightened the walls with Sherwin Williams Jovial paint, which matched the pink ribbon on the blinds. We shopped for hours in Port St. Joe and online to complete this space. My father, Dennis Barber, and his handyman, Steve, sanded the walls, patched and painted this room until it glowed. My mother, Linda Barber, and Patti Stroud, my property manager continued the vision by placing the artwork on the walls. I left them with the ideas, but these angels, and our wonderful Summer Dream Team made the rooms a reality.

And speaking of the Dream Team -- here's a pic of the crazy bunch who helped us transform an already fabulous IdeaHouse into a Summer Dream where guests will feel completely at Home! From left to right starting at top: Zach Barber, Steve Connelly, Dennis and Linda Barber (my parents), Michelle Cook, Linda Brown. Seated on the swing is Connie Connelly and girls I simply know as Dani's friends. Dani Connelly is taking the picture.
By the way, this group should be commended for the rug burns I hear they acquired in assembling the bunks. Thank you so much everyone. Thanks to MyHomeIdeas for changing our lives, and to our incredible friends and family for keeping the dream alive. Life is So Good -- especially among friends at the beach!!!

For more great photos and to see how you may getaway to this amazing home, click Here or on the Summer Dream House Picture at the top left of this blog. You will be amazed!!