What's your dream house?

I want two houses. Yep, I'm greedy. Here's why. I want to live in St. John USVI in the spring, winter and fall. In the summer I want to live in Maine. Mmm, maybe late spring in Maine too, depending on the weather. I hate the cold. Really, really hate it. But summer in St. John is super humid and I love summers in Maine-just can't take the winters there. And I love everything about being in the sea in St. John-the snorkeling especially. I can spend hours doing that. If I had to choose between the two I'd choose St. John. 

Okay, what kind of house? Assuming I could have only one it'd be in St. John so it'd have to be as hurricane safe as possible. Style wise-I'd like it to work with the environment, and me-being a tree hugger, be as eco friendly as I can make it. Solar power, and so on. I'd try to find an architect down there to design one if I can after I find my perfect piece of land as near to the beach as possible. I don't want to be up in the hills (if you've ever been to St. John you know what I mean) because it'd mean a 20 minute drive or more to get to the beach ever day. Money not being an option-we are dreaming right-I should be able to afford a nice chunk of waterfront property.

I hate the popular "open concept" style but I'd like at least 4 bedrooms (plenty of room for visitors) with a laundry chute down to the laundry room, a scraproom for me, an office for DH, a library filled with books, a great gourmet kitchen with an island (always wanted one of those) pantry, and lots of spaces (ours is so tiny right now). a dining room, living room, entrance way, wrap around porch, and lots of those handy extras including walk in closets, attics for storage and so on. I'd like a wrap around porch with space for dining and rocking chairs. A pool is a must along with someone to clean it and a huge garden for growing our own vegetables, flowers and so on-plus a gardener-I have a black thumb. 

For my house in Maine I'd do the same minus the pool (too cold) and I'd also like it to be on waterfront property either by the ocean or lakefront. For this house I can have more choice in housing styles. I've always loved 1970's style housing (NOT like the Brady Bunch house) but with really cool angles and lots of windows. I think I'd look for something like that. 

Ah, it's nice to dream-isn't it? 

I can't find anything on-line that truly resembles what I want at this stage in my life. A friend of mine's parents, when I was young, had the only thing that came close and is probably where I got my vision for my dream home. My children are grown, both are Military families and I don't see that changing for a long time, so I want a home that would accommodate both of them and their spouses (and eventually their children) coming to visit at the same time. I want a single story u-shaped home that has a pool/spa/entertaining area in the backyard middle of the U. On either arm of the U there would be a suite that included 2 small bedrooms. One would fit a queen bed, one would fit either bunk beds or a day bed with a trundle, a small bathroom and a small living space that would include a small wet bar, fridge and microwave. These would be small but efficient and give each family a place to retreat. Each of the suites would have a door out to the pool on one side, a door to a parking spot on one side and access to the main part of the house. When you open the front door of the home you would have a sight line hall (wide hall) to the pool. To the immediate left when you come in would be an open kitchen/dining space and to the immediate right would be the open living area. All open, no walls in that area, you can see from the kitchen all the way through the dining to the living room. Beyond the kitchen/dining area to the left of the sight line would be a movie room with door access to the pool and sight line hall. Beyond the living room to the right of the sight line would be a game room with a pool table/ darts etc... It would also have a tv for sports. It too, would have access to the pool and the sight line hall. To the right of the living area would be the hall to one of the suites, the laundry room and to the master suite. The master would include master bath, walk in closet and access door to the laundry room. On the other side of the kitchen would be a hallway to the other suite, to a craft/workout room and garage access. I'd include a powder room somewhere in the configuration. The living room would have a fireplace, and there would be lots of windows for natural light. It needs to be on an acre or 2 so my dh can also have a large shop to tinker and have his boat. It needs to be someplace that the pool doesn't need to be closed for the winter. (We had that here in WA for 16 years and it's just a pain and it's ugly in the winter LOL).

It will never happen, we just sold our 4k sq ft house with a pool to downsize, since it's just dh and I. It was just way too much space for 2 people. We have plenty of room for everyone to come visit in our 1800 sq ft home, it'll just be tight if they ever all come at once. You asked for my dream house and that is what I see.

House right on the beach of a tropical island. One where I can catch fresh fish and seafood and have a small grove of fruit trees and a veggie garden. One where there is a long deck with a porch swing and a hammock in the yard.

Yeah...my dream.

Here is mine, built on a beach! Check out that craft room! link

Trade ya! Can I interest you in a poorly lit overpriced condo in the bustling city of Toronto?