Wednesday, June 10, 2009

HGTV Green Home Photos



I'm still reeling from our serendipitous trip to the 2008 Green Home on Friday. I almost feels like a dream. (Mom- did I really get to see it in person?)

It's currently up for sale, and the asking price is $589,000.

My obsession with this house runs deep. I've had this photo set as my desktop photo on my monitor for quite some time now...

And I have a recurring dream about this antique piece of furniture designer Linda Woodrum used...



The antique brass picture lamp on the middle of the tabletop is amazing. And check out the galvanized wire baskets in the lower right. (Those came from Scott's Antique Market in Atlanta, I believe) The combination of galvanized metal and milky-white china stops me in my tracks every time!

I was able to take a picture through the glass on the front door, and what used to look like this:



Now looks like this:



The windows on the back side of the house were heavily tinted, so I wasn't able to snap any photos of the Kitchen, Living Room or Dining Room (boo). I was really hoping to see this stuff...





...but the house has been re-staged and put up for sale, so none of the things I was excited to see were there. I heard through the grapevine that the woman who won the house last year wasn't able to keep the house because of the high property taxes she also "won". So sad. :-(

There is a big body of water behind the house:



We spotted an alligator out in the middle of it:



Do you see him out there? If not, here's a closer look! Scary!



Here's a photo of my Mom in the backyard:



I'll never forget our quick visit to the Green Home...




It was such a magical moment in time for me!

42 comments:

mindy said...

That is awesome, so glad you got to see it =)

Aura said...

How much is it listed for? The Dream Home that was in California was gorgeousss. I joked with my husband that if we won it we still wouldn't be able to live in it because of the taxes and cost of living there.

Daryl at Vermont Cottage said...

I've heard that about other HGTV Dream Home giveaways. The winner often can't afford the property taxes. I would rent it out. Honestly, wouldn't you pay to spend the weekend in the Green Home Giveaway? Oh, yeah!

D.

Ruth said...

oh yeah.....those darn taxes will do the winning everytime.....
However, in a happy note......love the pictures, looove the sofa.
Thank you for sharing, I lost myself for a while....

Kathi said...

Sad for the lady who "won" this house. I wonder just how many big winners are forced to sell? This year's home in Florida is nice but I wonder if there is anyone writing new home owner's insurance there now... Thanks for this special tour. Nice you got to see it before it's sold. I love that kitchen too!

Julie {Angry Julie Monday} said...

That is beautiful! I love the decorating.

Anonymous said...

Hi Layla,
It's so sad because whoever wins the dream/green homes on HGTV never get to keep them because they can't afford to pay the property taxes. I really like that home but I'm not liking the alligators...a little too close for me. I'm glad though that you got to see it.

LeAnn:)

Flax and spindle said...

drool, drool, drool!! what fab pics, what a great time you must have had...

Don't know if I could live with crocs out back though!!

Leen said...

It's so stinking perfect (except for that alligator!) maybe he is the real reason the woman who won it couldn't keep it :)

Thanks for sharing!

Rosemarie said...

Beautiful! Althought that's the thing that gets me upset about this contest - how do they possible expect the person who wins to pay the taxes???

Meghan said...

Those pictures are SO inspiring! Thanks for sharing. Hope you had a great trip!

Anonymous said...

Great pictures Layla. I'm so jealous. I love that house too.

Debbie

Laurel said...

Oh Layla, how much fun! It is easy to have an obsession with that house. The "sideboard" is amazing and I can actually picture it in your house. It would be perfect! What a fun way to spend your birthday weekend.

Anonymous said...

I have read that most of the people who win the dream homes end up selling them. Dream homes = high property taxes. I agree, sad.

Tricia

Trish @TheOldPostRoad said...

I am concerned that the homeowners were in the shower while you were taking pictures - - or do you KNOW for a fact that the house is currently empty/uninhabited?

(just teasing you!)

Megan Lee said...

I love the use of the green throughout the house. That's me new favorite color!

Nancy Hood said...

I'm not sure if this is the same house, as I didn't stop long enough to look but on my last trip to Gulf Shores we drove out to Sailboat Bay and there is a prior HGTV dream home :) It was way out in a subdivision that never got off the ground :( looked right lonely and desolate :(
So glad you got to make the trip, though! and that you had a blast with your mom :)

Unknown said...

Great photos! What a magical place that would be to live.

The Upstart said...

Has there been any more development around the house? Last I heard, the building of the other homes in the neighborhood had been halted, so the house was standing next to lots of partially built homes.

Lisa said...

OHHHH, I CAN SEE WHY. I'VE ALWAYS WONDERED WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENS TO THOSE GIVE AWAY HOUSES. THANKS FOR SHARING IT WITH US. INTERESTING. I TOO WOULD HAVE BEEN THRILLED TO SEE IT.

HUGS FROM MAINE

Suzann said...

GREAT photos. What an awesome opportunity. I'm simply "green" with envy.

abeachcottage said...

hi Layla

this is so to-die-for, not sure if I'm diggin the aligator though

love your style...

Sarah

Nikki Cogg said...

I'm a huge fan of the HGTV dream homes- my master bedroom inspriation came from the California home that was featured around Christmas time. Green walls, bright white accents, chandelier... I loved it and now I want to look at it again! Maybe I can find it... It looks like you two had such a fun time!

Ana-Maria said...

Beautiful home.Congratulations!

Poppy Cottage said...

Oh I just love this! Thanks so much for sharing it with us!!

Sharon

Elizabeth said...

i have pictures of this house savd on my computer too! i love it, especially how open the kitchen is to the living and dining room. is it just as beautiful in person? i can only imagine

Tales From My Empty Nest said...

Thanks for sharing your photos. That house is amazing! Love & blessings from NC!

Lynn Kellan said...

Taxes stink.

I'm glad that you got to see your green dream home!

Astrid in Bristling Acres said...

Wow! Now that house is to die for!

How very sad for the lady that "won" the house. I'm curious- what does a house like that go for?

Reid said...

Glad you got to see it!
It's sad b/c I hear that happens most of the time whens omeone wins the houses....they can't afford to keep them.
Hope you found out the price!
(and will post it...lol)

Ellen said...

Such a pretty house. I'm loving the galvanized metal combo too. The alligator would make me think twice... would hate to go out to enjoy the yard and find him out there enjoying it too. Eek. Sounds like you and your Mom had a great trip!

ramona said...

I was delighted to finally see the images! Thankfully, we don't see many alligators up here in Canada. Yikes!

Diann said...

We saw the Dream Home in Islamorada last year. It was shockingly small and crammed with furniture. I don't know how they make it look more expansive on TV. Has anyone ever kept a house after they've won it?

Tales of Whimsy said...

1. Love the wood floors!
2. My hubby and I see gators all the time when we're canoeing :)

Meghann said...

How beautiful! I've heard of many people having to sell homes they have won because of high property taxes, or because their win is considered lottery winnings and they have to pay massive tax bills on them - too bad :(
The home is beautiful, however, and whoever buys it will be very happy (as long as they stay away from the alligator *shudder*)

~ Jill ~ said...

thanks for sharing the pics! GORGEOUS! I used to live there (St Lucie County not the development Tradition - although we did look when it first was started) .... I keep begging my MIL who lives there to do the tour and take pics for me!!! lol

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous home! I dream of living in house like this!

Karen at Nittany Inspirations said...

I have wondered what I would do if I won a dream house. While the property tax would be high, you are not making mortgage payments. Wouldn't that offset the taxes?

Do you quit your job and move there? Then you would really have a problem paying the taxes. Would you turn it into a B&B. A few would be perfect for that. Of course, the development may have restrictions on any kind of commercial establishment.

Beth said...

I love this house much more than the current green house.
I wonder why this house is now staged differently for resale? All the furniture came with the house. Do you think the winner kept the furniture, but is selling the house?

SoBella Creations said...

Great house! I'm glad you had the opportunity to view it.

Pamela Sykes said...

I wish I was there!! What an lasting impression!!

Unknown said...

I lived in Beaufort, South Carolina for three years and visited Hilton Head Island several times. The homes there are extremely beautiful and I'm happy that you were able to tour the Dream Home! I have since moved back to Washington state, but bring back all sorts of ideas from the beach cottages there. Thanks for sharing!