ST AUGUSTINE BEACH CONTEMPORARY

It’s a contemporary beach house to be sure, but for anyone who has visited and loved San Miguel de Allende in Mexico, it is very reminiscent of the “row” houses in the downtown section by the square. Open the turquoise door and pause to admire the richly hued and partially covered patio (perfect for sun lovers and shade seekers simultaneously!) where many memorable mornings, afternoons and evenings will be spent over coffee, wine and delicious meals.

Overnight guests will enjoy the privacy of the first floor quarters with a bedroom and bath on one side and a sunlit family room on the other. A shady patio on the west side offers even more outdoor living space and both rooms open to these walled courtyards. Take the staircase to the second floor and revel in the sunshine and the tree-house feeling. The view from the eat-in kitchen windows is that of treetops and blue sky. The living room is awash with sunshine and prisms of light bounce off the blond wood floor. Sliders open to the triangular porch and you’ll enjoy the sound and smell of the ocean on a daily basis. The master has a southern and eastern exposure so you can let the rising sun be your alarm clock. En-suite, the master opens to the porch and the afternoon napping here is fine. Nature lovers and beach goers will appreciate the wild beauty of the dunes and windswept trees that make up this hidden beach enclave.

This is the antidote to gated communities and grid-like neighborhoods. There are no straight lines as the dune topography goes up and down and the leaves whisper as the breeze passes by. Living beachside in St Augustine is all about enjoyment of the outdoors and the seamless transition from inside to out. Polish up the bike and ride it to the South Beach Grill – assuming you ever want to leave home, that is. Subscribing to the premise that less is more, this casita is ready to be a full-time home, a vacation/weekend getaway (can Friday get here soon enough?) or a holiday rental when you are not in residence. Offered with a 12-month home warranty and a straw hat (or two).