"The plan started with the idea of a simple, one-room-wide design that accommodates great cross ventilation and balanced light," says Ted Flato, one of the architects for our exciting and unique Florida Idea House. Located on the Great Northwest Coast near Panama City Beach, West Bay Landing is part of RiverCamps on Crooked Creek. RiverCamps, a development of the St. Joe Land Company, occupies a 1,500-acre inland nature preserve.

"St. Joe has owned this magnificent piece of land for more than 60 years," says Kevin Fox, vice president of RiverCamps. When completed, the community will also include a swimming pool, library, fitness center, outdoor dining pavilion, boat dock, and other facilities.

The construction is by builder Paul Thrasher and his team of craftspeople from Lynn Haven, Florida. Paul used cypress and pine throughout the 2,051-square-foot home to give warmth and character to the design. "People can learn a lot from the details in this house, from paneling on interior walls to mechanisms that hold the wooden support columns to their concrete foundations," Paul says.

Designers for West Bay Landing were Susan Lovelace and Patricia Kramer. Susan says, "For the interiors of this home, we used natural elements that you would picture in the most delightful camp an adult could ever imagine."

Going Back
Vintage cottages inspired many aspects of this home, including the long front stairway, the porches, and the galvanized metal roof, which cools the house by reflecting sunlight. "The early, simple houses on the coast are great to learn from," says Ted Flato. "They were built well and built to last."

Expand With a Screened Porch Outdoor living spaces make West Bay Landing seem much larger. "We designed screened porches as well as open porches," says architect Jonathan Card. "One even has a fireplace so that in the cooler months, with the protection of the house on one side, it's still a very pleasant place to be."

A large screened porch runs from the front of the house to the rear, nearly doubling the size of the first floor. Wooden rafters and metal roofing remain exposed, emphasizing informality and regional style. Doors on this porch open to the dining room, kitchen, and master bedroom, so there is a nice flow, and the house can be open regardless of the weather. Chairs and a sofa are centered around the brick fireplace. Wooden daybeds constructed to fit single bed mattresses fill the other corner of the porch and can be used for both sitting and sleeping. For easy maintenance, the designers used colorful acrylic indoor/outdoor fabrics on the furniture.

Iron lanterns and other rustic items serve as accent pieces on the screened porch. Found objects add interest and character, says designer Susan Lovelace. "Something nostalgic is always comforting," she explains.

Creative Kitchen
The kitchen stands at the center of the house. On both kitchen and dining room walls, cypress 1 x 10s alternate with 2 1/2-inch-wide boards; an 1/8-inch gap separates them. A sheer ivory-colored finish was applied to the horizontal cypress paneling, giving a light and airy feel.

Here, the open storage is both a means of displaying cookware and an example of creative shelf design. The 1 1/2-inch-thick wooden shelves rest on metal supports and hang from pieces of 1-inch-diameter galvanized pipe. The open shelving is great for showcasing serving pieces and pottery, and guests love them because they can easily find needed items.

Use Wood on Walls and for Open Shelving

Going Upstairs
The stairway in the kitchen features photographs of Florida landscapes. On the second floor, the sloped ceiling gives a feeling of spaciousness to the hallway, laundry room, guestroom, and children's room. A collection of framed photos creates a gallery-like display in the upstairs hallway.

Fine Dining
The dining room has natural, handmade elements, which offset the clean lines of the house. The designers used a striped woven rug under the dining table, and an old-fashioned pie safe stores china and glassware. Glazed pottery for the table settings mixes in shades of red and green that are used throughout the interiors.

Family Style
Linen cafe curtains hung from an iron rod bring privacy to the family room, and a wooden bench serves as a coffee table. Because this room has windows on three sides and opens to the dining room, furniture arrangement was a special consideration; most pieces are placed about 1 foot away from the windows.

To avoid having the entertainment/bookshelf unit take up floorspace, it was fitted into a box bay constructed on the exterior wall. A pair of doors mounted on tracks slide away from the center of the unit, over the bookshelves at each side, and then back across to cover the flat-screen TV.

Add Sliding Doors to Built-ins

Sink Solution
Looking for a compact bathroom sink to fit into a tight space? Try this idea on for size: In the powder room, a metal milk bucket resting on a wooden, three-legged stool was plumbed for use as a sink.

Office Hours
Adjoining the dining room is a home office measuring only 7'11" x 5'2", yet there's room for a laptop, fax machine, and files.

"Adding space where you can work will theoretically buy you a longer weekend at RiverCamps," says architect Jonathan Card. "Say you have three hours of work that has to be done on Monday morning. Just get up early, knock out those three hours, and you'll be enjoying yourself out on the water by noon."

The office feels like a spacious tree house perched high in the woods. Its glass walls also bring light to the windowless dining room.

Office Design a Small But Well-Equipped Office

Dreamy Bedrooms
In a house where areas are primarily neutral, the children's room offers a bright departure. "The more color we added, the better it got," says designer Patricia Kramer. Surfaces here and in the adjoining bath are painted lime green and orange sherbet; fabrics in a mixture of colors and patterns reflect youthful enthusiasm. "Children use every hue in the crayon box, and that's the approach we took in this bedroom," Patricia explains. Windows are located on three walls, and each sports a different fabric treatment. With a full-size bed and a twin-size one with a trundle, the room easily sleeps four.

The guestroom bed is dressed in cool aqua linen and soft ivory damask. The ivory curtains on the windows behind the bed can be pushed together to give the illusion of a headboard. Built-in seating fits between the closet and a drawer unit that also holds a TV.

Downstairs, the master bedroom boasts a comfortable, casual bed with head- and footboards that resemble charming old metal gates. It's piled high with colorful, coordinating pillows in various sizes. Rattan chairs fitted with plush cushions stand at the end of the bed.

Children's Room Have Fun With Color

Award-Winning Architects
The architects of West Bay Landing are Ted Flato, Craig McMahon, and Jonathan Card of Lake/Flato in San Antonio. They received the American Institute of Architects National Firm Award 2004 in recognition of their diverse design projects such as family retreats, museums, arboretums, and corporate headquarters.

Open Vanity Base Project
The vanity in the guestroom bath is a Southern Living Project Plan. Measuring 54 1/2 inches wide x 24 inches deep x 34 inches high, it holds a sink and has a storage shelf underneath.

Detailed plans and step-by-step instructions for the Open Vanity Base Project are available for $4. To order send a self-addressed, stamped (with two first-class, letter-rate stamps), business-size envelope to Open Vanity Base Project, Southern Living Projects, P.O. Box 523, Birmingham, AL 35201. Please enclose a check for $4 payable to Southern Living Projects. Allow six to eight weeks for delivery.

Maximizing the Mudroom
The front door opens directly into a mudroom, not a conventional foyer. Residents of RiverCamps are likely to have plenty of fishing tackle, canoe paddles, coolers, and other outdoor gear to store. This area gives all of those items convenient berths. There's also a long sink for cleaning the day's catch.

Architect Craig McMahon says, "The slat walls of the mudroom are a bit like the old storage lockers that you see on piers. Inside, you have an open storage system for all the gear that makes being near the water exciting."

Narrow strips of screen fitted between the horizontal slats help to keep the area insect free. A bench and other built-ins and a custom-made screened door at the entrance complete this useful room.

Make Your Entry a Practical Space

At the rear of the house's lower level, the brick-floored outdoor room is furnished with daybeds covered in red weatherproof cushions and framed by khaki curtains. The space makes an ideal sleeping porch for children, who can spread out their sleeping bags and "camp" overnight. To help keep the area free of insects while maintaining ventilation, retractable screens are installed on each open side. The remote-controlled motorized screens can be raised or lowered at the push of a button.

Outdoor Room Transform a Sun Porch

Outdoor Daybed Project
Measuring 75 x 39 inches, these daybeds would make a great addition to your porch. Plans are available for $4. To order send a self-addressed, stamped (with two first-class, letter-rate stamps), business-size envelope to Outdoor Daybed Project, Southern Living Projects, P.O. Box 523, Birmingham, AL 35201. Enclose a check for $4 payable to Southern Living Projects. Allow six to eight weeks for delivery.

In the Great Outdoors
Exterior spaces are put to maximum use in this creative home. "Many houses along the Gulf Coast are built up off the ground because of the possibility of a storm surge," says architect Craig McMahon, "and storage areas are often constructed under the house. We wanted to take advantage of all the ground floor space, so we created a variety of outdoor rooms, including a kitchen and shower." There's also room to park both a boat and a car.

Durability and easy upkeep factored into the selection of construction materials for this vacation home. "The metal roof will last a long time," say builder Paul Thrasher. "And with the fiber-cement siding, the paint job will last longer than if it was on wood."

Install an Open-air Kitchen

At ground level, the base of the chimney houses the outdoor kitchen, which contains a sink, grill, and built-in cabinets. There is also a bar for serving. The entire kitchen can be made weathertight by closing wooden doors on two sides. A long table nearby can accommodate a variety of outdoor projects. Decking surrounds the kitchen; teak chairs, benches, and tables invite relaxation.

A Combination Firepit/Fountain
Near the deck is a unique, dual-purpose garden feature, in which a large, thick copper disc sits on a cylindrical stone base. To use it as a fountain in warm weather, the pump is turned on, and water from the base of the unit flows from the top of the stone and down its sides. The water is caught in a basin and pumped again to the top of the stone cylinder. In cooler weather, the fountain can be turned off and a fire built in the copper disc on top. Circular stone coping surrounds the entire installation.

Build an Outdoor Shower An outside shower is a practical and fun feature. Trelliswork made from copper rods and wire and planted with rapidly growing Asian jasmine vines encloses the shower and connects it to a nearby dressing room. Above the shower, a cistern collects rainwater from the roof for use in the garden."

Upstairs Hallway Create a Play Space With Built-ins Equipped with shelves for storage of games and toys, the upstairs hallway outside the children's room functions as a mini playroom. Kids can spread out board games or coloring books and enjoy a sunny spot to play or color. Painted baskets attractively organize and store small items, making cleanup a breeze. Framed prints and family photos bring visual interest to the neutral space."

Lennox Lennox Systems from Lennox provide indoor comfort year-round. They are efficient, reliable, and quiet as well as environmentally responsible. So when you need a new system, do your homework, and get the one that's best for you. For more information about all of the home--comfort products available from Lennox, call 1-800-9-LENNOX, or visit www.lennox.com.

JELD-WEN Interior Doors Distinctive interior doors from JELD-WEN accentuate the architectural character of this Idea House. Each door design is available with ProCore The Quiet Door" option that muffles sound. For additional information about the complete JELD-WEN Interior Door line, call 1-800-877-9482, or visit www.jeld-wen.com.

James Hardie James Hardie Siding Products are made of fiber-cement, and they possess the character of natural wood with increased durability. Some products now come in a selection of colors, so they don't need to be painted. Both lap siding and board-and-batten siding are used at West Bay Landing. For more information call toll-free 1-866-4-HARDIE, or visit www.jameshardie.com.

Trex Decking & Railing Made primarily with recycled plastic grocery bags, reclaimed pallet wrap, and waste wood, Trex decking is environmentally responsible. At West Bay Landing, Trex forms the floor of the screened porch and surrounds the outdoor kitchen. For more information call 1-800-BUY-TREX (289-8739), or visit www.trex.com.

Square D The SQUARE D Multi-Link System makes it easy to establish telephone, television, stereo, computer, and security systems throughout a home. With this technology, you can perform tasks such as accessing your home's security system on the Internet and adjusting the comfort system before you arrive. The SQUARE D Multi-Link System adapts to your needs. For more information visit www.squared.com.

Subaru As sporty as it is sensible, the all-wheel-drive Subaru Forester provides great handling and performance in all driving conditions. You'll love its practicality: There's plenty of carpeted cargo room, and the rear seats fold to create even more. Features such as leather-trimmed interior and moon roof will enhance your driving experience. For more information visit www.subaru.com.

GE Appliances For the gourmet chef or beginning cook, Profile appliances from General Electric have all the design features and technical capabilities that you want and need. The GE Profile Advantium® 120 Wall Oven is equipped with speed-cook technology. It heats up to eight times faster than a conventional oven. For more information visit www.geappliances.com.

John Deere A Gator(tm) Utility Vehicle from John Deere will make working in your lawn and garden much easier. A full range of attachments enables you to customize your Gator. Also consider John Deere's walk-behind and riding mowers; they provide superior cutting and state-of-the-art engines. For more information visit www.johndeere.com.

Boral Bricks To add fine craftsmanship and beauty to any home, build with brick. Here the fireplace, chimney, and outdoor kitchen are made of Boral Bricks, giving the house an established look. For more information or to locate a Boral Bricks Studio or distributor, call 1-800-5-BORAL-5, or visit www.boralbricks.com.

Benjamin Moore & Co. Benjamin Moore Paints let you express your individuality and creativity when choosing colors. You can exp © Copyright Southern Progress Corporation, . All rights reserved. Privacy policy   (http://www.southernliving.com)