SEE THIS HOUSE: LEAVING THE BIG CITY FOR THE BEACH - THE STORY BEHIND AN ENTICING ALYS BEACH HOME!

Photo by Tommy Crow (above)

Alys Beach - the elite planned community in Florida's panhandle boasts many beautiful homes. This charmed beach community has many luxury amenities to offer including white sand beaches and fabulously designed public spaces. I have not been to Alys Beach but several of my friends have...and they say it is amazing.

The Alys Beach home in this post caught my eye...a stunning 5 bedroom/5.5 bath home on a street called Somersett.

The white washed exterior is bright, cheerful and inviting. Architectually, the home's exterior design is filled with visual interest, including many levels, a tower of sorts and so many windows that invite the outdoors to the inside and vice versa.


Photo by Tommy Crow (above)

Although there are many lovely homes in Alys Beach, this particular home and its owners have a special connection to Alys Beach. Mike Ragsdale, public relations for Alys Beach, explains how this home is about following your heart and going to all lengths to be near home and family:

"Alys Stephens [pictured below]... and her siblings purchased this home together a few years ago. Last year, Alys (the granddaughter of our town's namesake) left behind a very exciting career in Manhattan, to instead live and work here. Born in Birmingham, AL, she enjoyed almost all of her summers on the beaches here, but after graduating from New York School of Interior Design, she was hired by Robert A. M. Stern Architects (following an internship with Bunny Williams). For several years, she enjoyed the lifestyle of the Big Apple, but with this new concept was being envisioned for her family’s land back here, she recently accepted a job as our town’s Style Director. So Alys left behind her career in New York, and moved to the beach! She's getting married in November. Her fiance is a social worker, who left New York to move to the beach as well. He now continues his social work here. "

Alys Stephens, Alys Beach Style Director and grandaughter of Alys Beach's town namesake. Photo by Tommy Crow(above)

Now with Alys Stephen's story in mind, please enjoy this house tour in today's SEE THIS HOUSE:


Family Room/Kitchen - French doors are a focal point in the family room and kitchen areas. Beamed wood ceilings provide character and warmth to the bright white room. A designer kitchen and bar overlook the family common space. Photo by Tommy Crow (above)


Kitchen - The gourmet kitchen features dark wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, a tile backsplash in a subway pattern, neutral granite countertops, stainless pendant lights and a kitchen island with a stainless undermount sink and a counter bar area for dining right in the middle of it all. Photo by Tommy Crow (above)


Dining Room/Breakfast Nook - A built in banquette or bench provides comfortable seating for large numbers of people to sit around the simple wood dining table and eat and enjoy a meal. Rustic wood beams also make this ceiling a point of visual interest. Photo by Tommy Crow (above)




Bedrooms - The bedrooms are peaceful and serene and do have the beachy feel. These are just two of the five bedrooms in this home. Top: The bedroom in photo on top features a wood four poster bed (with turned posts) in a rich ebony color and wicker shades and night stand. Bottom: The bedroom pictured directly above is decorated with a simple off white upholstered headboard, a comfortable armchair and a fireplace with a simple wood beam shelf which acts as mantel. Photo by Tommy Crow (above)


A sparkling pool is the centerpiece of the home's courtyard/patio. A setting seemingly meant for all kinds of entertaining. Photo by Tommy Crow (above)
Just also learned that this home is actually available for vacation rentals...what a great way to get away from it all...click here to see more.

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Write by: AN - Sunday, August 31, 2008