Vacation Style Living: The New American Dream in Northern Virginia

October 11th, 2023

4 min. read

By Sofia Alonso

Pool at Modern Farmhouse Style Custom Home by AV Architects and Builders in Great Falls Northern Virginia

In a world where stress and burnout are becoming the norm rather than the exception, the traditional concept of a home as just a place to sleep is rapidly becoming outdated. People are now seeking more than just a roof over their heads; they're looking for a sanctuary, a personal retreat that offers not just comfort but also wellness, happiness, and a deep connection with nature. The challenge? Finding a home design that can transform everyday living into an enriching experience akin to a perpetual vacation.

Enter AV Architects + Builders, the design-build firm that's redefining the American Dream in Northern Virginia with our innovative Vacation Style Living™ philosophy. With over two decades of design-build experience and a unique modern aesthetic influenced by Mediterranean lifestyles, we specialize in creating homes that aren't just buildings but your everyday sanctuary. Our designs focus on your well-being, offering a seamless blend of indoor and outdoor spaces, customized amenities, and sustainable elements that elevate your daily life.

In this article, we'll explore the five key elements that make up the Vacation Style Living™ philosophy. We'll explore how this approach actively promotes health, wellness, and happiness, and why it's the epitome of the new American dream. Whether you're planning to build a new home or are just intrigued by the idea of a living space that enriches your life, this guide will offer you valuable insights into making your home a year-round vacation retreat. Vacation Style Living™ is not just a design style; it's a lifestyle that enriches your daily life.

What is Vacation Style Living™? 5 Key Elements

 

1. Health, Wealth, and Happiness

1. Health, Wellness, and Happiness

The cornerstone of Vacation Style Living™ is the creation of a home environment that actively promotes health, wellness, and happiness. This goes beyond just designing spaces filled with natural light to boost your mood. It also involves using materials that are non-toxic and eco-friendly to ensure a healthy living environment. Furthermore, the design incorporates wellness elements like indoor gardens, exercise rooms, or even meditation spaces. These features work together to enhance both your physical and mental well-being, making your home a sanctuary for you and your family. 

2. Strong Indoor-Outdoor Connection

2. Strong Indoor-Outdoor Connection

A defining feature of Vacation Style Living™ is the seamless integration between indoor and outdoor spaces. This is not just about having large, floor-to-ceiling windows or sliding doors that open onto patios or gardens. It also includes features like outdoor kitchens and living areas that make the exterior of the home as functional and inviting as the interior. The ultimate goal is to make nature an integral part of your daily life, enriching your living experience and connecting you to the world outside in a meaningful way.

Pool at Modern Farmhouse Style Custom Home by AV Architects and Builders in Great Falls Northern Virginia

The Vista House, Great Falls, Virginia, AV Architects + Builders, Photography by Maxwell Mackenzie

3. Customization for Individual Lifestyles

Vacation Style Living™ is not a one-size-fits-all approach, and this is evident in the meticulous design process. Each home is crafted to suit the unique lifestyle and needs of its inhabitants. This goes beyond just repurposing a secondary bedroom into a hobby room, but actually intentionally designing a customized room for your hobby. This could mean incorporating a quiet reading nook for the book lover, a state-of-the-art home theater for the movie enthusiast, or a gourmet kitchen for the home chef. The idea is to make daily activities not just routine but a luxurious experience, elevating the mundane to the extraordinary.

4. Sustainable Design

4. Sustainable Design

Sustainability is not an afterthought in Vacation Style Living™; it's a key component. Given the emphasis on a harmonious relationship with nature, sustainable design elements are integrated into the home from the ground up. This could include the use of energy-efficient appliances, solar panels, or sustainable building materials like reclaimed wood or recycled metal. The overarching idea is to make the home not just aesthetically pleasing but also environmentally responsible, contributing to a sustainable future while providing a comfortable living space.

White Kitchen Open Concept Modern Style Custom Home by AV Architects and Builders in McLean Northern Virginia

The Solar House, Arlington, Virginia, AV Architects + Builders, Photography by Maxwell Mackenzie

5. Modern Aesthetics Merged with Functional Elements

5. Modern Aesthetics Merged with Functional Elements

Vacation Style Living™ often marries modern design aesthetics with local, functional and vernacular design elements, creating a unique blend that feels both contemporary and deeply rooted in its natural surroundings. This could mean using local stone or wood in the construction, or incorporating traditional design motifs in a modern context. The result is a home that offers a unique blend of the modern and the timeless, making it a living space that respects its environment while offering all the comforts of modern living.

The Creative Force: Francisca and Antonio Alonso

Partners in both business and life, Francisca and Antonio Alonso are the visionaries behind this transformative approach to home design. With Spanish family backgrounds and a shared affinity for the Mediterranean lifestyle, they bring a unique modern aesthetic to homes in the Mid-Atlantic region. For over two decades, they have been transforming visions into real-life spaces that are uniquely personalized to their clients' needs, dreams, and lifestyles, making them pioneers in the field.

Francisca and Tony Alonso working in the Architect House in Great Falls Virginia by AV Architects and Builders

The Architect House, Great Falls, Virginia, AV Architects + Builders, Photography by Maxwell Mackenzie

Why Choose a Vacation Style Living Home?

Vacation Style Living™ is more than just a buzzword; it's a transformative philosophy that has the power to elevate your everyday life. So, why settle for just a house when you can build a year-round vacation retreat? Choose Vacation Style Living™ and turn your dream home into your everyday reality, enriching your life in ways you never thought possible.

At AV Architects + Builders, we have over two decades of experience in creating homes that aren't just aesthetically pleasing but also focus on your well-being. Our mission is to create homes that serve as your personal sanctuary, focusing on your health, wellness, and happiness. With our unique modern aesthetic influenced by Mediterranean lifestyles, we're not just building houses; we're crafting lifestyles.

If you're ready to start designing your custom Vacation Style Living™ home, Schedule a Discovery Call with AV Architects + Builders today. For more helpful tips and insights on residential design-build, visit our Learning Center for inspiration and expert advice.

 

Sofia Alonso

Sofia Alonso is currently the Content Manager at AV Architects + Builders, a family-owned architect-led design-build firm specializing in creating modern style homes for clients in Northern Virginia. Having been with the company since 2019, Sofia has demonstrated a strong commitment to the firm's ethos of providing high-end, luxury living experiences. Sofia holds a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on Writing from the University of Virginia. With Sofia contributing to the firm's content strategy, clients can look forward to insightful, educational content that perfectly aligns with the luxurious, high-quality living experiences that AV Architects + Builders is renowned for.

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