Outdoor Living

Off the living room, a porch overlooking the dunes and Gulf of Mexico invites visitors to gather. "It's so fabulous, because you're right there on the beach," Susan says. "It's a great place for the whole family to hang out."

She selected a teak sectional with creamy-white cushions, and then introduced playful blues in the welting, throw pillows, and outdoor rug. A rustic coffee table crafted from driftwood and metal looks light and beachy, but has the weight to stay put despite strong winds off the ocean. "This is an intimate seating area where you can have your cocktail before serving dinner at the table," Susan says.

Durable Decking
Positioned right on the ocean, our Beachtown Idea House required building materials that could withstand the humid weather and harsh coastal elements. Because prime outdoor living space was a must, the team selected a decking product made of cellular PVC. Though it has the look and grain of real wood, the material resists mold, scratches, and even wine and food spills. The trim on the house is composed of the same PVC-based material.