Dream Home Challenge: Exterior

Here begins the construction of my Dream Home.

We're starting out with the architectural style/exterior of the house.  After spending plenty of time paging through home exteriors, I surprised myself by coming back always to the shingled houses common in the Hamptons.  I haven't even been to the Hamptons.  But these cottages (can they be called "cottages" when they are as big as the one below?) have a beachy feel: I've seen this style of home in the Outer Banks of North Carolina...so I am going to run with it.  I think I'm attracted to the natural wood color and a memory from childhood of spending time in a beach house on the rugged coast of Northern California...where the air smells salty when you walk outside...

Craftsman style has always caught my eye as well, and I like the detailed woodwork and copious amounts of trim in craftsman construction.  The multiple peaks on this roof give it some additional architectural flair.

Not to mention this pool looks extremely inviting.

Shingle Beach House

The Dream House needs a big old front porch, with a swinging bench...or in the case below, a hammock will do just fine.  The porch should wrap around, and there'd be just enough rocking chairs for those wanting to rock.

Front Porch with Rocking Bench, Chairs, or Hammock

Rockers to Wrap Around the Porch

The size of the porch lends well to some over-the-top Halloween and Christmas decorations.

both via Pottery Barn 

Without a doubt, I would have bougainvillea growing on the outside of the house.  So beautiful.

Bougainvillea Arch

I almost backtracked and changed everything to Spanish Style.  I guess I am not as picky as I thought!
I think the bougainvillea is what has me second-guessing my choice.
Oh well...I am just dreaming, right?


Be sure to check out Meredith's Dream Home exterior so you can follow along.

And stay tuned next week when we venture into bedrooms, family rooms, and living rooms.  This day-dreaming is pretty fun.