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I recently saw a $1.2 million listing for the 1,500-square-foot Dune House on Florida’s Atlantic Beach that really caught my eye. Actually, what gripped my imagination was how little of the house there was to see. The home is a duplex, built into the dunes and employing a grass roof-line as a natural part of its architecture. The house was built in 1975 from the designs of owner William Morgan, a celebrated architect of the Atlantic shores.

Looky-look architecture

Photo by William Morgan Architects

Gazing out like the eyes of T.J. Eckleburg in The Great Gatsby, the twin windows of the Dune Home peer out to the shore.  The unique enclosure keeps the interiors at a lovely 70 degrees around the year. Morgan received honors from the American Institute of Architects in recognition of his lifelong research into architectural creativity. You can view his dazzling portfolio at William Morgan Architects.

Designs that get out of the way

Photo by Yahoo Real Estate

You have to love the unobstructed view of the sea from the home, currently rented out as twin 750-square-foot apartments, each with a two-story living area, single bedroom and bath. Morgan wants to get out of having to find suitable renters, so he’s selling the place. Yahoo Real Estate rounds up the details.

Splendor in the dunes

Photo by Yahoo Real Estate

Atlantic Beach comprises the northernmost line of unspoiled beaches heading out from Jacksonville. The Dutton Island Preserve offers residents a fishing pier, wending threads of hiking trails, and a floating dock for kayaks and canoes. The last U.S. Census reported that the community has 25,398 residents, with more women than men, and a higher level of post-secondary education than the national average.

If Mr. Morgan would like to donate the property for development of a very small writers’ colony, he can contact me here at the blog.

I get a lot of mileage from a well-made carpet. I like my tones warm, understated and cozy. I don’t get people who love rug designs taken from 1970s polyester sports coats. It’s over, people. My feet aren’t large enough to cover the carpet while I watch Sports Center or talk to a house guest. But, no matter how you try, some people just have to take it all the way to the edge.

Carpeting that absorbs spills

Photo by Colorado Guy

Steve, our Colorado Guy, was staying with chums in Delta when he dropped his open soda can on this rug. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t find the wet spot in the midst of this mess.

Band on the runway

The House of Area Rugs is the repository of this animal print rug that completes a practice room “where you can let your funky side go wild”. Dazzling, boys. Pass the vomit bags.

Designs that cannot save Lauren’s heart (sigh)

Lauren’s feet, pictured here on the doctor’s waiting room carpet where she’s come for appointments for eight years, show the complete futility of office design consultants. She’s the author of Save Lauren’s Heart blog, and our hearts go out to her.

A sea of confusion

Photo by Zydecocruiser

The author of the Zydecocruiser blog took a fancy to this atrocity of a carpet installed on a Carnival Dream Ship. It’s enough to send the passengers out to the deck for a healthy yurp at the rail.

Don’t gamble on these designs

Photo by We Waste Time

I recently blogged about Chris Maluszynski’s Las Vegas Carpet revue, but it’s worth a second look if it will spare you a few hours at the slots. You’d think rugs like this would keep gamblers away. Don’t bet on it!