I’ve been busy designing my Caribbean crib and I must say; it’s one of the most stressful things I’ve done in quite some time. It’s so easy to stroll into someone’s abode when looking to purchase or rent it and critize the idiot who designed it. When designing it you need to think of everything and all sorts of circumstances and how to best fit the house around it.
It’s like art that you could touch up forever; eventually you must drop the brush.
I’ve concluded two floors with ample patio space is needed; also a monster kitchen on the ground floor in a more social spot of the house. In the past, people used to have servants who would cook for them while they entertained guests drinking strong spirits while in high spirits. Today, people cook themselves typically and why should the chef be astrocized from the social aspects of the setting? A steady stream of fresh air is also important but so is privacy and windows are as wonderful as they are worrisome.
What about fire? What if the master (me) wishes to sneak out?
This is sort of an end-game play for me. You see, I like traveling and hopefully that will never change but after a while gents like myself want a base. One of my biggest fears of this lifestyle is being that 40 something year old approaching the globally agreed upon age of 47.5 aka going full vanilla gay and having seen the world but having no real place in it. Also, I didn’t leave the comforts of my comfy office chair just to travel and return; life is a choose your own adventure and you can’t flip the pages back.
I digress.
Most people build these types of things at the end of their life; why not now?
Soon I’m off to Europe for another adventure that might even include Africa.
The photo is from “the view point” on top of the only hill on Little Corn.
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Nice!!
A big room that includes the kitchen would also work. Combo living room dining room and kitchen. Open air style. Good luck.
That’s exactly what I’ve designed and thanks!
Also have the stove face the room. The cooks of our family swear buy it. Let’s you interact while cooking. They have a bar style island with the stove top in it.
I’ve got the stove on the side wall and have this counter that extends into the party. Left 10″ between counters in the kitchen so if I wanna throw an island in I could.
That or groups could gather around to watch art in progress as some guest chef does their best on a few fresh pounds of lobster.
Consider elevating it so the bottom floor is above ground to the extent possible. Security, ventilation, etc. Perhaps you will not need the second floor if all living areas are ten feet above ground- porch, etc.
I’ve got 9ft ceilings and only a few big but secure windows planned on the ground floor.
The island has gotten considerably safer in recent years and the old adage of build your house safer than your neighbors is still relevant.
I have no idea what will come when I get into the window world; there is this impact proof product but not sure if I want that.
Original plan was kind of like that and everyone berated me for desiging a barracks.
Your house sounds good, man. The stove idea came from a very cool and knowledgeable woman. One of those rare ideas we have to pass on to strangers. Seriously enjoy the blog.
Thanks and the stove idea came to me the same way; from my mom.
My take is as long as it does not look modern or “space-age” a semi-barrack look is OK. A key point is massing and aspect ratio of the dimensions. Scale makes a huge difference and statement.
I was thinking the living area could be elevated, supported on concrete columns or a stone or attractive concrete first floor with a secure steel staircase from the ground up.
I recognize materials and transportation are a factor, have to work with what is available.
Thinking that you might not be there for periods of time. Would be good to not worry about security.
I hear that and I’ve told the engineer / architect designing it to make it “true island style” from start to finish.
Security is high on my priority list but so is having little worth stealing; it won’t be loaded up with tech devices. Also, realistically it will probably have someone in there at most times I do believe as there is a shortage of accommodation on the island and lots seeking longer-term options.
I plan to spend ~3 months a year there.
Time will tell and thanks for the input.
G- double-O- D ,GOOD! .. i find on outer islands the peacefulness , tranquility and god are abundant . the world stops for a minuet, sometimes the ocean lays down like glass…you can almost walk on it.