Friday, April 22, 2011

Getaway gorgeous

When I think of a beach or a getaway house and admittedly I think of getting away A LOT..I have  this vision of exactly how I would want it to be. Allow me to set the scene....you have had a very hectic week, either with work, the kids schedule, lots of demands, being pulled in every direction imaginable. You are utterly spent. Friday afternoon cannot arrive fast enough. It finally does...you load up your car faster than you can say "time to go" and off you are to your weekend vacation home. As you drive onto the gravel driveway....your worries and stresses fly away with the ocean or lake breeze (your imagination is the driver here) you park, take a deep breath and know you have arrived to your oasis for the weekend. The first day you get to spend all alone, its just you, your favorite bottle of wine and a book you have been dying to read...the next day the family and friends are joining you. Sound good? Sorry I ruined the fantasy. Their arrival cannot come soon enough! Refreshed, the next morning you head to the local farmers market, stock up on all the fresh days picks and prepare the afternoons rounds of appetizers and dinner which will be served al fresco of course.......

So what does this dream getaway house look like?  Lots of blue is a given to me, a fair amount of white and cream, some nice light woods, an open and airy feel, some bright colors in the right spots, even some geometric shapes in the way of pillows or unique lamps works. I see fun bunk beds that beg for your kids sleepovers, over sized banquette tables for entertaining, cozy guest rooms to ensure your guests want to return again and again (hopefully that's a good thing) a gorgeous light kitchen with chunky marble countertops prep ready for impromptu clambakes and spur of the moment BBQS. Today is dedicated to those perfect getaway homes...a home away from home, entertaining, open, airy, and mostly relaxing spaces. There is no right or wrong..and as you can see, this is an eclectic mix. Let me know what you think, does my ideal tie in with yours? Would love to know!


The casual elegance of the linen white sofas and rattan upholstery is fabulous, Alexandra Rae
This great room/dining room by Tracery is just inviting great big get togethers on rainy summer afternoons.....love it!
This is a pretty open and airy beach living room
This bathroom says getaway to me, Meg Braff
Whats a weekend house without bunkbeds? Steven Gambrell
Exotic and clean lines come together in this gorgeous space, Sherill Canet
A simple but darling guest room by the lake, Tom Stringer
Love the soft muted tones in this very cozy, inviting room that welcomes you Peter Durham
Love this living room by Meg Braff, so uplifting and happy
Love navy and white, its a winning combination every time, Sherill Canet
Elegant lakeside dining room...love the bare wood floors, Kristen Panitch
This pretty outdoor setting is by a lake house on Lake Michigan, Lawrence Boeder
Bring on the great food, fine wine and lively converation..this table is ready! Meg Adams
A white bathroom? A must have. Kimberly Seldon
This serene beautiful bedroom fronts Lake Michigan, what a calm peaceful space to get away to.... Lawrence Boeder
Love the rich sharp lines of the navy and white, Sherill Canet
Blue and white..possibly my favorite combination, Sherill Canet
Awwh...walking into this gorgeous home would feel like paradise..Kim Coleman
Love the soothing tones in this elegant coastal bedroom
This pretty and cheerful bedroom would be a welcome respite, Samantha Pynn
This casually elegant kitchen is picture perfect for entertaining family and friends
This covered porch just screams for fierce afternoon scrabble and monopoly games!
Whats  a getaway home without a great set of bunkbeds? Sherill Canet
In a charming lake house, I would expect a little powder room just like this one,Kristen Cunningham
Love the fresh crisp feel of this beach side living room, Samantha Pynn
Love this gorgeous elegant streamlined dining room...perfect!
This is called visual therapy right here.....
This is the quintessential chic white dining room in my "in my dreams" getaway house, John Jacob
Cozy little alcoves like this are a must have..everyone will fight to sleep here!
Can you feel the breeze blowing and hear the seagulls? Coastal Living
Gorgeous great room at a lake house,I could live in just this one room Suzanne Kasler
Something about a covered porch, just a must have for a getaway home! Kim Coleman
This is the vibe I see for my getaway retreat for the kitchen..all white, simple and inviting, Decorpad
A darling guest house with three twin beds on the lake, Suzanne Kasler
Love this elegant not overdone pool house which is attached to the main house, Kim Coleman
Soothing colors would be a must have for a getaway bedroom, Samantha Pynn
This beautiful loggia is just what one would need to decompress from life's stresses....pour a cocktail, grab a book and take a deep breath
Love love love this cozy eating nook...Suzanne Kasler
Love this elegant soft hued bathroom, and love the delicate pale green chair, Decorpad
With a setting and view like this...I might never leave! Arch Digest
Ever dream about escaping for a few days to get away from it all to a little tiny place in the woods like this? I sure have!


Well...what do you think? Does it sound good? Are you ready to pack your bags, grab your book and go? Sounds good to me too! Love to know if you have  a favorite and what does a getaway or vacation house mean to you? What does your dream getaway house look like? Have an enchanting day!
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33 comments:

  1. As always you have been peeking in my picture file! We love the same things!
    Seriously, I could escape to all of these places right now.
    I hope you and your family have a wonderful Easter Tina!
    Amy

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  2. Great images of wonderful vacation homes! When I pulled into our Hamptons home driveway I immediately feel relaxed. It is a place to unwind, slow down and have lots of quality family time. Great post...it has me dreaming about summer!

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  3. You have me wishing that we still owned our lake house in New Hampshire!! These are incredible. My favorite rooms are the Tom Stringer guest room the navy and white living room and that cozy eating nook towards the bottom. I would love to copy that for my own home right now. Wonderful "gets me thinking" post. Love coming here!

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  4. All our beautifully done, but I love the lake house images the best. So tranquil.

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  5. Many lovely homes. We have a house at the beach that is the more casual version of your visual therapy. But with four kids, a BIG dog, and lots of sand we have very low key furnishings. Hopefully some day we can upgrade to something like these lovely abodes.

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  6. As always lovely inspiration :)) /
    happy easter /marie

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  7. Love those bunk beds and all those fabulous light filled interiors.

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  8. I'm already feeling relaxed by these lovely homes! I could be happy weekending at any of the homes featured. The navy and white interiors, by Sherill Canet, is perfect for the beach. Sign me up! Happy Easter to you.

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  9. The loggia is calling...just what the doctor ordered!!! Beautiful get away spots. We'll take any of them. Have a wonderful weekend!!!

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  10. I have been on a built-in bunk "kick" lately. I hope you don't mind but I snagged a few of these for my inspiration files! I'm in love with that blue and white great room! I'm a sucker for crisp contrasts like the ones so perfectly executed in that space.

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  11. LOVE these, have never seen the second bunk room before...wow! Saving that one!
    xx

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  12. Heaven! In my fantasy I also have maid service at my beach/lake house so that I don't get stuck doing the dishes and cleaning bathrooms :P

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  13. I just returned from a long beach getaway, and you make me want to pack my bag again......I love the Coastal Living white bed room, this is similar to what we like at the beach. Very relaxing and simple. See plenty of rooms I would love in my home! Great post, dreaming to getaway.......
    Happy Easter

    ~Emily
    The French Hutch

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  14. YES to the get-away you described! It gave me chills, want to pack up and head to the beach right now (could take quite a few hrs to get there being in the middle of the country). I would like to live in that first photo :)

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  15. I loved every photo! The first and second were breathtaking. The bunk beds and alcoves in these homes are just fabulous.

    Ann-Marie

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  16. Yes on the blue and open spaces! Both the Meg Braff bathroom and living room by Samantha Pynn are speaking to me, "Come in and relax."

    All of them are wonderful, the notion of a little time away at a waterfront haven is *very* appealing right now!

    Sending wishes that you enjoy a delightful weekend,
    tp

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  17. Tina,

    Where our mind goes to our legs will follow especially on a getaway. All these spaces appeal to me and I'm out the door in a flash.

    The cabin in the last photo speaks peacefully to me and some real getaway progress can be made along with lots of walking in the woods to hear stories from the trees. Arriving with some wine, coffee, books, laptop and no pressing return date after all we're on a great spring escape.

    Bette

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  18. Amazing rooms !! I would love to vacation in any one of them ! I really love the turquoise beaded chandelier !!

    xxLily
    goldandgray.com

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  19. When do we leave? I can be ready in 10 minutes :) Gorgeous images, as usual, and I'd take a vacation to any of them. I love that chandelier in the Tracery room.

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  20. Couldn't agree more! My dream getaway house would be on the river and would definitely be decorated with lots of blues and whites. Other musts in mine, would be a big basement or reck-room where all the kids could go, lots of seating room and sleeping room, and a huge kitchen (because that's where everyone spends their time anyways). Oh and a hammock or outdoor seating area to curl up with a good book! Have a great weekend!

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  21. I enjoy how you put together these little scenarios for us a to think about as we gaze upon one amazing image after another. Well done!

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  22. a lovely collection of images. All serene and traditional, but still fresh and stylish!

    happy Friday!

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  23. I love this post! This was just what I needed today.

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  24. I am so ready to pack my bags and go! Unfortunately this week I have to work. Next weekend?

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  25. Gorgeous inspirational images! Lovely blog, by the way, I am your new follower.

    Have a fun Easter weekend!

    Jessie
    www.mixandchic.com

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  26. What great pictures! all the crisp white and blue - lovely!!

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  27. Oh my god this is just stunning! I am so ready to pack my bags right now... Really always dreamed of having 2 getaway houses: one up in the mountains and another by the beach (a girl can dream!).

    ps: in love with the blue room with the bunk beds, I want to take that room!

    Hugs & kisses from Rio!
    http://acasadava.blogspot.com

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  28. So lovely! I'm ready for a beach vacation! All of the blue and white spaces are divine!

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  29. "Tracery" would be just right for me to spend a long weekend with family and/or good friends!
    Calm and chic ambiance with beautiful beam construction.

    Best wishes for a lovely Easter
    Karin

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  30. Awesome photos of inspiration! Have a happy Easter.

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  31. Tina. Has anyone ever mentioned that you are giving Houzz some stiff competition? You are becoming a source my dear. I always know that I will love what I see and I leave feeling rewarded for stopping by. Tooooo many favorites to list but I will say that the Jacobs dining room is stunning!
    CONGRATULATIONS on winning the piece from artist Catherine Nolin! Her art is even more beautiful in person. I won a set of her note cards and they are like gifts to those who receive them.
    xo Lisa

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  32. Those bunkbeds get me everytime! My boys would love that! I love Sherill's decor!

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  33. The airy beach living room and the blue and white rooms are my favourites.
    A pleasure to browse.
    Of course, spare a thought for your maid or whoever is making your beds. Built-in beds/bunks are a killer to make and maintain (dusting, wiping etc) no matter how inviting they look in the pic.

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Would love to hear what you have to say......happy thoughts only please!!