Bahama Shutters are a great way to add shade to your windows while keeping a view. As some may not know, they can also be made to strong enough to protect your windows in storms too. They can be left open, or can be easily closed (from the inside) before a storm. (photo courtesy of Seacoast Systems, Inc., 109 N. 15th St., Wilmington, NC 28401) Also see Houzz Ideabooks http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/3186047/list?utm_source=Houzz&utm_campaign=u136&utm_medium=email&utm_content=gallery17

IKEA Designs an $86,500 Prefab, with the help of Ideabox. This seems to be a match made for the times... for those of you wanting a house RIGHT NOW, just place your order and wait for the semi to arrive. I love IKEA - It makes logical sense, but will it have staying power in today's market? Unfortunately, this is only available in the West right now, hopefully on the East Coast by 2014. http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-57389515-1/ikea-designs-$86500-prefab-house-instructions-included/

Automatic Color Selector - Chip-It! by Sherwin-Williams

Sherwin-Williams has a new tool to help you find your favorite house colors. Just drag their new Chip-It! tool onto your web browser's tool bar and go! I tried it and it was really easy... it even shows some colors I was not aware of. Great tool! Now you can find out exactly what colors your favorite house is wearing. (photo from 2012 HGTV® Dream Home by Sherwin-Williams)

Cottages as close to the water as you can get!

These floating cottages are as close as you can get to the water. I love small, simple, prefab cottages. I found these at IdeaBox. Called the "Drift," a "Tender" series of floating homes. Check with your local codes to see if these are allowed in your area.

8 Elements For Classic Kitchen Style

This "Kitchen Workbook: 8 Elements of Classic Kitchen Style" by Rebekah Zaveloff of KitchenLab, discusses the elements to consider in order to create the classic kitchen. I believe a well designed classic kitchen can extend the useful age of any home! Photo by Chris Barnes, builder, CLB Custom Homes, Hampstead, NC (http://www.clbcustomhomes.com/)