Coastal Dixie Charm

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I just got back from a whirlwind couple of days in St. Simons Island, Georgia.

2017 HGTV Dream Home

The trees were tall, the people were friendly and the southern style was laid-back and leisurely.

2017 HGTV Dream HomeI had the phenomenal opportunity to tour the 2017 HGTV Dream Home with our sponsor HGTV (you know the one, they give one away every year and it's a HUGE DEAL and I may have squealed just a little when I got to set foot in the latest edition).

2017 HGTV Dream HomeWe've been tackling a ton of challenges as we slowly remodel our own little farm house, so I was excited to see someone else's take on transitional design. The layout of the HGTV Dream Home is close to ours, with approximately the same square footage and similar challenges, including the need to create a cohesive space for wildly-varying personalities and be mindful of growing families.

2017 HGTV Dream Home in St Simons, GeorgiaThe space alone provided pretty phenomenal inspiration. St. Simons has a lot of shoreside properties tucked into little coves, offering up the perfect backdrop for some casual coastal decor.

2017 HGTV Dream Home master bedroomAfter 19 years with the same designer team, HGTV recently switched things up for the Dream Home and started using the expertise of the talented self-taught Brian Patrick Flynn.

2017 HGTV Dream Home designer Brian Patrick FlynnBrian was totally in his element, noting this as his favorite space he's ever executed. The Atlanta native made the hop-skip-and-a-jump just 4 hours away from his own house to the familiar seaside duds here at St. Simons and infused the spot with his sweet, affable personality.

2017 HGTV Dream Home remodelOutside, he started with some fantastic pavers and Trex furniture and decking for easy outdoor entertaining (a low-maintenance move I'll definitely be mimicking soon).

2017 HGTV Dream Home pool houseMoving into the pool room, beach meets country with preppy patterns and rustic accents.

2017 HGTV Dream Home pool houseBrian added casual throws throughout the house to keep guests comfortable.

2017 HGTV Dream Home pool houseEvery transitional space is put to good use!

2017 HGTV Dream Home elephant wallpaper bathroomIt's been awhile since I've seen this much pattern in any room, but I'm totally digging those off-the-wall elephants coming up against the penny tile in the shower.

2017 HGTV Dream Home - hats hung on the wall of the bathroomI'll definitely be stealing the hanging hat look, largely because I have too many hats and not enough places to stash them.

2017 HGTV Dream Home - plaid roomBrian received a lot of backlash over the plaid room but I, for one, am smitten.

2017 HGTV Dream Home - storage basketsThese roller baskets from Wayfair are smartly placed in strategic spots around the house. I keep hampers in the laundry room, obviously, but I love the idea of using a bathroom corner so people don't have to trek around in search of a spot to ditch their dirty towel.

2017 HGTV Dream Home - teen roomThe bright teenage room is basically one big happy reading nook that I would be thrilled to while away in for a bit.

2017 HGTV Dream Home - reading nookPicture me cuddled up here. It's fitting, right?

2017 HGTV Dream Home - staggered bookshelfThese staggered bookshelves are totally going on my wish list. It gives the optical illusion of a big giant stack of books just waiting to topple, but they're actually surprisingly steady.

2017 HGTV Dream Home - turquoise bathroomGotta have some turquoise, too.

2017 HGTV Dream Home - workout spaceBrian used a big transitional space to serve as a workout nook with tufted chairs for a kind of ironic, voyeuristic feel.

2017 HGTV Dream Home - great room / sitting roomAnd the great room is, well, pretty great. I'm digging the vaulted ceilings and natural wood accents.

2017 HGTV Dream Home - ladder and storage in entrywayMore space is being wisely-used for umbrella storage, and I feel like the ladder on the wall could actually be functional as a makeshift coat rack. Peeking in from the background, you can get a glimpse of the oyster shell counters and hunter green tiles accenting the dark grey kitchen space.

2017 HGTV Dream Home - entryway chairBrian maintained some openness between the entryway and the dining room for light and cohesiveness, but functionally minimized the actual use of that opening by plopping down a formal chair to delineate the space.

2017 HGTV Dream Home - dining roomI'm really digging the turtle. And the bust.

2017 HGTV Dream Home - mudroom space in the laundry roomIn the laundry room, a long wall serves as a pretty enviable mud room.

2017 HGTV Dream Home - master bathOn through the hallway to the master bathroom, where the tile is similar to the long planks that Nate and I just installed in our living room.

2017 HGTV Dream Home - master bathThere are some serious bathroom goals going on in here.

2017 HGTV Dream Home - walk in closetThe walk-in closet is fun and funky, making unconventional use of the space by plopping a dresser in the center of the room.

2017 HGTV Dream Home - master bedroomWhat I love most about the master bedroom is the way it gives off a moody vibe at night…

2017 HGTV Dream Home - master bedroom seating space…and transitions to an open, bright lounge space during the day.

2017 HGTV Dream Home - kitchenWhat's your design style?

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