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monday at the beach

Welcome to All in the Detail... I am so glad you are here!



When warm weather arrives, my mind and soul wander off to the beach.
(Unfortunately, my body just doesn’t get a chance to go!)


Whether it’s New England or the Gulf coast, I am physically and emotionally drawn to sand and surf.


What is it that has this effect on me?


Does this happen to you?

So welcome to my blog series…


'Monday at the Beach'


Let’s go... 

to the sugar white sands of the Gulf shoreline. 
This is designer Julia Starr Sanford's muse for setting a tranquil tone in this Alys Beach vacation home.



"I think of this house as a symphony in white," says architect and designer Julia Starr Sanford of the airy, escape-ready home she designed on a corner lot in Alys Beach, Florida. Just steps from the front door, snow white sand glistens against the azure sea. "To me the home feels strong and rugged, built to last a millennium," says Sanford, "and yet sensual and serene at the same time."


Besides wanting a vacation home that feels intimate enough for family but big enough to host friends, her Atlanta-based clients gave the designer carte blanche—and blanche it became. "All the whites play off each other and the varying textures, modern forms, and classical curves. The light illuminates each one a little differently," says Sanford. 

Here's more on how she turned the beach's go-to neutral into a showstopping color scheme.



A pair of sabal palms frame the entrance to this North Florida beach house, outfitted with creamy cement tile steps, curved bronze railings, and a mahogany door limewashed to a light gray.


"This is a large room—the ceiling soars to 22 feet," says Sanford. So it was doubly important to layer in several different shades of white and contrasting textures to keep it from feeling cold. Along with whitewashing the woodwork, the designer included super soft materials, like a natural-hide ottoman and bleached natural-weave rug (great for bare feet!), in shades of beige to warm up crisp white walls and a smooth concrete coffee table. The sea fan artwork is by Karen Roberts.


"This is where the family watches TV, and where the teenagers retreat," says Sanford of the limewashed pecky cypress sitting room on the second floor. The ceiling has a steep pitch, like a tented beach cabana. Surf scenes by artist Thomas Hager hang above Danish oak folding chairs that read like groovy poolside loungers. (And I just LOVE that floor lamp)


Marble countertops and a book-matched backsplash (the lower and upper sections of the Calacatta Borghini stone mirror one another) dazzle in the sunlight in this wood-warmed kitchen. Windows replace traditional upper cabinetry, and the white surfaces are a smooth counterpoint to the horizontal-plank island and more rustic limed-oak ceiling. Curvy-cool acrylic stools relax the ultra linear island and pendant lighting.


A sunset toast ends any day on a high note, especially when raising glasses from this white-on-white rooftop deck. "The views are just breathtaking," says the designer, who tucked the room behind a large outdoor fireplace to shield winter's prevailing breezes. Bleached concrete pavers help keep the flooring cool, and a bleached teak coffee table and coral rock planters are organic reminders of the lofty perch's natural surroundings. The furniture is by Restoration Hardware, and the cushion fabric is by Perennials.


The teak pool bar is outfitted with hand-painted blue cement tiles in a shade that resembles pool water. "These are fun and appropriate for a great outdoor bar, without straying too far from the neutral palette," says Sanford, who designed the lighting for her own line, Sublime Originals.


Simple white linen drapes lend an air of privacy to the pewter-finished English soaking tub, making the spa-like master bath feel more like a super private hideaway. Sanford chose the frosted-glass chandelier for its visual link to the ocean—"It reminds me of sea glass," she says. The statuary marble floor tiles are arranged in a handsome herringbone pattern.


On the ground floor near the guest rooms, Sanford designed this indoor/outdoor room to double as a guest lounge. Sliding doors open to the pool, bar, and courtyard, and "concrete walls and ocean breezes keep it comfortable and cool," she says. She found the antique bleached-teak coffee table and console in Bali. "They're really old. I love how they have those scars of time after sitting out in the sun for hundreds of years."

A big Thank you goes to Stephanie Hunt of Coastal Living Magazine for her help with this. 

What do you think of this amazing beach house?
Is it move-in ready for you?












church on sunday


Welcome to All in the Detail... I am so glad you are here!

Whether a church is
simple or ornate, large or small,
old or new, wooden or stone...
it is most likely always a beautiful sight to behold.






Today, I share this beautiful image of a church with you
in hopes that it will bring
a little peace, a little joy
and a lot of love.


Lord, as I walk through this World,
Let Your Grace Light my Path,
Your Mercy Shelter my Soul
and Your Love Heal my Heart.


enjoy your saturday

Welcome to All in the Detail... I am so glad you are here!



recipe friday


Welcome to All in the Detail... I am so glad you are here!




Salt and Pepper Salmon


Ingredients

 

  • 1 salmon fillet (about 2 pounds), skin on, 1½ to 2 inches thick
  • Kosher salt
  • Extra-virgin olive oil
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 6 T unsalted butter, room temperature


Directions


Run your finger up and down the center of the salmon feeling for any pin bones.

Remove any that you find with a needle-nosed pliers or tweezers.

With a sharp knife cutting across the width of the salmon, divide it into 4 equal portions.

Lightly salt the salmon and let sit a couple minutes; this will help you get crispy skin.

Heat a 2-T of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the oil is almost smoking.

Season the salmon with pepper and rub about ½ T butter on the skin side of each fillet.

Add the salmon to the pan, skin-side down.

To get super crispy skin, cook the salmon almost to completion, about 6 minutes.

Flip the salmon and cook until flesh side is nicely seared, 1 to 2 minutes.


BONUS FEATURE:

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to view a selection of our Recipe Friday recipes.

&

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#recipefriday

faucet buying guide


Welcome to All in the Detail... I am so glad you are here!





If you’re remodeling or upgrading your kitchen, the latest in top-notch hardware and tough finishes have made corroded, leaking, and dripping faucets a thing of the past. Most faucets also come with lifetime warranties (for the original buyer) that cover defects and even finishes.

Faucets have become so reliable, there are few performance differences between brands. That's why faucets are no longer rated, but instead consumers focus on the pros and cons of faucet finishes and features so that we can choose a great faucet, no matter the budget.

Match the Faucet with the Number of Mounting Holes

Most sinks come with mounting holes pre-drilled for faucets and accessories such as side sprays or soap dispensers. If you're keeping your original sink, you’ll need to match what you have or get a base plate to cover any extra holes. The base plate sold with your new faucet can be used to cover holes in your countertop, but don’t buy a faucet that requires more sink holes than your sink has; it's not a good idea to try to drill additional holes in an existing sink or countertop.

Spout Styles and Shapes

Straight spout faucets are compact and often inexpensive, but you might need to move the faucet to fit a big pot under it. Gooseneck models have higher clearances but can cause splashing if your sink is shallow. Whatever style you pick, make sure the faucet head swings enough to reach the entire sink, especially if you have a wide or double bowl sink. Also keep the faucet proportional; a large sink can look odd with a small faucet.

Installation and Repair

Replacing a faucet and a sink at the same time is easier because the faucet can be installed in the sink, or in the countertop before the sink is put in place. Fittings that can be tightened with a screwdriver also streamline installation. Long water-supply hoses allow you to make connections lower in the sink cabinet where tools are easier to use. Though most faucets are guaranteed not to leak, if it does, the manufacturer will only give the replacement part—it's up to you to install it.

Shopping Faucet Types

Although there are two main types of sink faucets, single lever and two-handled, you can also find an array of spigots designed for specific uses, such as for wet bars, prep sinks, and even for filling pots on a stovetop.


Single-Handle Faucets

If you are considering a single-handle faucet, check the distance to the backsplash or window ledge, as the rotation of the handle may hit whatever is behind it. If you have additional sink holes, you can purchase a separate spray nozzle or soap dispenser.

Pros: Single-handle faucets are easier to use and install and take up less space than two-handle faucets.
Cons: They may not allow quite as precise temperature adjustments as two-handle faucets.


Two-Handle Faucets

This traditional setup has separate hot and cold handles to the left and right of the faucet. Two-handle faucets have handles that can be part of the baseplate or separately mounted, and the sprayer is usually separate.

Pros: Two handles may allow slightly more precise temperature adjustments than a single handle faucet.
Cons: A faucet with two handles is harder to install. You need both hands to adjust the temperature.


Pull-Out & Pull-Down Faucets

The spout pulls out or down from the single-handle faucet head on a hose; a counterweight helps the hose and spout to retract neatly.

Pros: A pullout spout comes in handy when rinsing vegetables or the sink itself. The hose should be long enough to reach all corners of the sink.
Cons: If you have a small sink, you may not need this feature.


Hands-Free Faucets

The best models have an activator on the front of the faucet so it’s easy to locate. Look for the option of switching to manual operation by simply sliding a movable panel to cover the sensor.

Pros: Convenience and cleanliness. Water is activated by a movement sensor, so if your hands are full, or dirty, you don’t have to touch the fixture.
Cons: Some designs hide the activator toward the bottom or back of the faucet, making them hard to find when your hands are full or messy. Others required you to tap the faucet to get water flowing and then you'll have to wash the spot you touched.


Pot-Filler Faucets

Common in restaurant kitchens, pot-filler faucets now come scaled for use in the home. Either deck- or wall-mounted pot fillers are installed near the stove and have articulated arms to fold away when not in use.

Pros: Ease and convenience. Filling an oversized pot directly where it will cook means no more lugging heavy pots across the kitchen.
Cons: Must be connected to a water source behind the stove. Unless you’re a serious cook, you may not need or use this faucet much.


Bar Faucets

Many high-end kitchen designs are including smaller, secondary sinks that can free up space at your main sink and make prep like washing vegetables easier, especially if there is more than one cook in the kitchen. Smaller, bar faucets are made for these sinks and often come in styles that match the main faucet.

Pros: Can be connected directly to an instant hot water dispenser, or to a cold filtered water dispenser.
Cons: Space is always a consideration. Consider whether this feature is something you will use.

Here are some features to consider that can affect durability and function:



Finish

Tough finishes are common on all but the cheapest kitchen faucets. The exterior of some faucets are bombarded with charged metal atoms that chemically bond to the surface of the base metal in a process called physical vapor deposition, or PVD. Different metals impart different finishes, including nickel and bronze. PVD finishes resisted our best attempts at scratching, but corrosives such as drain cleaner can stain them slightly. Chrome remains a popular finish and is pretty durable too, but a heavy-duty scouring pad can scratch it. Brushed stainless didn't show scratches or stains as easily as chrome. Bronze offers a rustic look, plus we found the PVD version performed much better.


Spray/Stream Selector

Finger-friendly buttons located on the top or side of the spray head allow you to switch easily between spray and stream. The button should stay in the same mode through on/off cycles, or until you change the setting again.


Side Spray

If you have a single- or two-handle faucet and your sink has extra holes (they're usually covered over with a round metal stopper) you might consider adding a side sprayer to your sink. Installation is straightforward and instructions are widely available online.


Temperature Setting

Although not a visible feature, some single-handle faucets are designed to hold a specific water temperature even after you turn the faucet off. This is especially convenient when you are using the faucet at frequent intervals and don't want to adjust the temperature every time you turn the water on. Check manufacturer specifications for faucets that include this feature.


Magnetic Lock

This feature is particularly useful in pull-out and pull-down faucets. Once the nozzle is detached from the base, it can retract most of the way back but not completely into its locked position. A magnetic lock connects it securely and locks it in place.


How much water does a drip waste?

Well, it depends on how many faucets do the dripping and at what rate they drop those drips. For a quick and startling estimate of your household’s potential water waste, check out the U.S.Geological Survey’s drip calculator.

The average household’s leaky faucets can account for more than 10,000 gallons of water wasted every year, or the amount of water needed to wash 270 loads of laundry, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

With older faucets, compression valves cut off water flow when a washer or seal closed; faucets dripped when the washers degraded. Modern faucets use ceramic discs that turn off when the ports are closed, so there are no washers to erode. Ceramic discs, once only a feature of high-end faucets, have merged into the mainstream.


A special Thank You to Consumer Reports for their help on this post.






monday at the beach


 Welcome to All in the Detail... I am so glad you are here!



When warm weather arrives, my mind and soul wander off to the beach.
(Unfortunately, my body just doesn’t get a chance to go!)

Whether it’s New England or the Gulf coast, I am physically and emotionally drawn to sand and surf.

What is it that has this effect on me?

Does this happen to you?
So welcome to my blog series…

'Monday at the Beach'

Let’s go...



Old Soul Georgia Cottage


This Whitemarsh Island, Georgia, getaway was restored with the home’s original character in mind. New operable shutters, blue window boxes, and a picket fence match its period look.



Punched Up Porch

On the porch, a red-and-white palette takes a modern turn with graphic prints such as the pendant lampshade and the bold striped cushions with contrasting welts.



Reclaimed Masterpiece


In the kitchen/dining area, the breakfast bar is clad with reclaimed wood that had been discarded from the original interior walls. "The old wood gives the remodeled kitchen instant history," the designer says. Salvaged heart-pine floors add age underfoot and echo the bar's warm wood tones.



Laid-Back Living Room


In the living room, the yellow vintage typewriter table, antique lamps, and old ship's lantern pay homage to the past, while a white retro chair, graphic pillows, and simple, colorful artwork give the space a contemporary edge. An oyster shell painting over the sofa by local artist Bellamy Murphy ties the living area's range of hues together.



Simple Escape


The bedroom’s new V-groove paneling keeps with the original style and spirit of the coastal cottage. The simple décor—the oyster shell chandelier, teal lamp, and colorful blanket—adds serenity to the space.


What do you think of this cute little beach cottage?

Is it move-in ready for you?

Many thanks go to my friends at Coastal Living for their help with this.