First Coast Register October/November 2015 | Page 24

Life’s a Ball . . . get out and play

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own an elegant new home in ~
PHOTO BY PAT YORK

Designer Showhome NOW OPEN! | From $549,900
elacora is proud to present 24 custom-designed

new homes in The Plantation at Ponte Vedra Beach,
North Florida’s premier golf and beach club
community. Packed with luxurious amenities to satisfy
the most discerning tastes, The Plantation at Ponte
Vedra Beach offers the best of beach resort living in
a pristine natural setting.

650 acres of
land with 133 acres of our Arnold Palmer
designed championship golf course, pristine
lakes, and 4 acres of oceanfront beauty.
Brand new amenity park coming in 2016.

101 Plantation Drive, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082

904.484.9023 www.elacora.com
Prices subject to change without notice. Ask a sales person for incentive conditions and options. In the interest of continuous improvement
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obligation. Actual dimensions may vary. Exclusive agent, Victoria Robbins Realty, Inc.

24 August - September 2015 | First Coast Register

Do market trends dictate individual preferences or do individual
preferences dictate market trends? How often are new architectural
styles introduced to our market, only to become duplicated to the
point of saturation?
In the ‘70s and early ‘80s, there was an abundance of ranch-style
homes with stained wood siding. Then in the ‘80s and early ‘90s,
nearly every home was a muted shade of stucco cladding. Then accent
materials were introduced, blending stucco with siding, stone with
stucco or siding with stone. Curb appeal was enhanced by simply
placing a new wrapper on an outdated architectural style. Soon the
buying public demanded change; or did they?
Northeast Florida lacks architectural originality. We are slow to
imagine, but quick to duplicate the success of others. For example,
nearly 10 years ago, the Mediterranean style was introduced to our
area and it quickly began showing up in communities all over town.
This timeless example of European architecture blends the best of
natural materials with soft earth tones and textures. The exterior of
homes became more pleasing and the typical floor plan gave way to
more interactive spaces with public rooms blending with outdoor
living areas. Soon, many new home buyers sought to experience this
very romantic architectural style.
Then in the blink of an eye, the demand for Mediterranean
diminished and the desire for the American Craftsman style home
emerged. Easily recognizable by clean lines and simple detailing, these
attractive bungalows have created interest and demand in nearly
every new community under construction. Homes with standing
seam metal roofs, dormer windows and pastel colored siding are
attracting buyers in record numbers. The nostalgic feel of Americana
has returned to our neighborhoods in understated elegance with
raised front porches, picket railings and wide sidewalks.
Only time will tell if this is simply another short-lived trend. Is it
possible that we are witnessing a shift in consumer preference towards
simplicity? Is it possible that families are seeking a soothing retreat
from their hectic lifestyle? Can the absence of high ceilings, hard
surfaces and heavy detailing lead to a more relaxed state of comfort
and tranquility? Let’s take a look inside the American Craftsman style
of home and see which design elements enhance this theme.
The most noticeable features include natural wood grained floors,
double-hung windows, simple moldings and recessed panel doors.
Absent are stone tile floors, wide expanses of glass, layers of ornate
crown molding and dark stained trim. These homes have simple floor
plans with a comfortable traffic flow, modest-sized rooms and shared
spaces. Together with 10’ high ceilings, soft color-toned walls and
white painted trim, they represent the human scale in size and feel.
A look back at the more enduring architectural styles of the last
century, may reveal that the secret to long term desirability is, in fact,
“feel.” The simple Cape Cod style, the mid-century Bungalow and the