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How Would You Like a Dream Vacation Home on a Private Island?

May 23, 2016

Even though we still have another month until summer officially begins, the heat here in Houston and Memorial Day coming up this weekend has me dreaming about summer vacations, and better yet, vacation homes!! My husband has always wanted a ski home in Colorado. He worked as a ski instructor in Vail after college for three years, and he still goes up 5-6 times a year to ski. I think I would love the summers there, but I am much more of a beach person, and I’ve been trying to slowly convert him over to my side!!

Segreto Secrets - Dream Vacation Home on A Private Floating Island
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Although I don’t think I stand a chance, while I was surfing the web for beach spots, I read about this fascinating building project in Dubai called The World and had to share! It’s a collection of 300 private, man-made islands that together form the shape of a world map! Here’s the aerial view. The coolest part… each island is for sale!!! So, if you’ve ever wanted your own island, Dubai might be the place to look!

Segreto Secrets - Dream Vacation Home on A Private Floating Island
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While some will feature resorts and restaurants, most will be ultra-luxury private villas with their own beach!!! Different developers have designed special floating homes, perfectly suited to the islands. My favorite is this Floating Seahorse design!! You can see more of the renderings below…

Segreto Secrets - Dream Vacation Home on A Private Floating Island
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Design firm Kleindienst Group spent more than 5,000 hours researching and 13,000 hours designing and engineering to develop the Floating Seahorse. Priced at $2.8 million, the centerpiece of the home is the underwater master suite surrounded by a sunken coral garden.

Segreto Secrets - Dream Vacation Home on A Private Floating Island
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Look at the master bathroom – so gorgeous!!

Segreto Secrets - Dream Vacation Home on A Private Floating Island
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Can you imagine waking up to this view every morning?

Segreto Secrets - Dream Vacation Home on A Private Floating Island
Segreto Secrets - Dream Vacation Home on A Private Floating Island
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The above-water upstairs is just as luxe with an observation deck at the top and a patio for sunbathing. Each outdoor space has its own glass-bottom hot tub jacuzzi!

Segreto Secrets - Dream Vacation Home on A Private Floating Island
Segreto Secrets - Dream Vacation Home on A Private Floating Island
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The very first Floating Seahorse was just put into position in the Heart of Europe, the European section of The World, in early April. They’ll finish installing the other 42 this year!! And if you’d rather have your own Seahorse closer to home, Kleindienst has announced plans to make the concept available for sale.

Segreto Secrets - Dream Vacation Home on A Private Floating Island
Segreto Secrets - Dream Vacation Home on A Private Floating Island
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Here’s another fabulous floating home design!!! Created by Ogyana Real Estate and Amillarah Private Islands, these luxury private islands, each featuring its own garden, pool and beach, will be part of the Australasia section of The World!!

Segreto Secrets - Dream Vacation Home on A Private Floating Island
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Even though The World will only be accessible by boat or air transport, once you’re there, you don’t have to leave! The project is divided into private estate island zones, commercial zones, which will have a variety of different resorts and clubhouses, hubs for ferry transfer points and public visitor areas. Lebanon Island is already up and running with a restaurant, beach club, pool and bars!

Segreto Secrets - Dream Vacation Home on A Private Floating Island
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It’s fun to dream!! But, in the end, John won the battle… see the pics below of our new vacation townhome in Colorado! Of course, part of the compromise is that I get to redo, so stay tuned for my next project!!!! I will have to come up with some very creative ideas because this one will definitely need to incorporate cost-saving ideas and budget-friendly purchases!

Our new vacation home in the mountains - living room before
Our new vacation home in the mountains - kitchen before
Our new vacation home in the mountains - bedroom before
Our new vacation home in the mountains - bunk room before

What about you? What would your perfect idea of a vacation home be?

Hope you all have a good week and a great Memorial Day weekend!! Till next week!

xo, Leslie

P.S. Don’t forget to enter the Miracle & Skinny Noodle Challenge – Win a signed copy of Segreto Style!!!

The challenge is simple: send me your recipes that use Skinny or Miracle Noodles (and any photos you have of the finished dish). Then either 1) subscribe to this blog if you are not yet on our list, 2) follow us on Instagram and leave a comment below, or 3) if you’re already following us on Instagram, you can also enter by sharing this post on Facebook and then leaving a comment below!

The contest is only open until Friday, June 10th at noon! We’ll be posting our favorite recipes on the blog and picking a winner based on creativity and taste. The lucky winner will receive a signed copy of Segreto Style, so tell all of your friends!!! Click here to submit your recipe! Good luck!!

Here’s one of the great recipes we got last week, from Karen!!!

Miracle Noodle Challenge Entry - Segreto Secrets

Angel Hair Pasta Salad

created by Karen D.

Ingredients

1 package (7 ounces) miracle noodle angel hair pasta
2 plum tomatoes, seeded and chopped
1 cup zucchini, chopped
1 cup cucumber, chopped
1 cup green pepper, chopped
6 green onions, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Directions
Drain water out of the package of the miracle noodles and rinse them in a colander. Add the noodles to a lightly salted water and boil for 2-4 minutes.

Place the noodles in a skillet on medium heat to remove the excess moisture and transfer to a large bowl. Add the tomatoes, zucchini, cucumber, yellow squash, green pepper and onions.

In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, vinegar, salt and pepper. Pour over pasta mixture and toss to coat. You can add any protein you like. I added shrimp! Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours.



12 Comments
  • Taste of France
    Posted at 07:38h, 23 May Reply

    I recently visited Dubai and stayed at the Atlantis on the Palm. Amazing. A little over the top, in a “don’t let anybody doubt for an instant that every inch of the place is the height of luxury” way. All the same, Dubai is becoming a magnet for innovative design. I heard a podcast about how the Burg Khalifa influenced fashion design with the wave of laser cutouts (think Alexander Wang, among others).
    Personally, I’m a land lubber and would never be able to sleep floating on water, and that bedroom under the sea is my definition of a nightmare. Probably why we now live on vacation, having moved to our vacation home in the south of France.

    • Leslie Sinclair
      Posted at 07:46h, 23 May Reply

      I think I would take your vacation home in the south of France in a heartbeat!!! Good choice. I have never been to Dubai and probably wont make it there. I have heard it is over the top! so great you have seen so many places!!

  • Michele@hellolovely
    Posted at 11:10h, 23 May Reply

    what a dream resort! i wonder if this is the one i saw on real housewives of bev hills? cannot imagine the underwater design and think it would be incredible to experience it. but your colorado place appeals to me more because i know it will be incredible, and i haven’t seen that part of our beautiful country. we just bought a vacation home in arizona, and i hope to transform it from cowboy chic to paris hideaway. on a budget which makes it tricky! maybe a blogger girl’s trip out west is in the cards…peace.

    • Leslie Sinclair
      Posted at 04:31h, 27 May Reply

      Come on out! it would be so fun to finally meet in person! xo

  • Design Chic
    Posted at 21:58h, 23 May Reply

    I’m so excited for you, Leslie!! Colorado is amazing. We have skied at Vail many, many times and it’s for sure a favorite spot, but I’ve never been in Spring and Summer and hear that it is gorgeous. Can’t wait to see you work your magic on your new place – its wonderful!!

    • Leslie Sinclair
      Posted at 04:31h, 27 May Reply

      Kirby and I are going up in a couple of weeks to take measurements etc. I can’t wait to get going on the project!!!

  • Gerri
    Posted at 18:07h, 24 May Reply

    Those are breathtaking designs. Not sure if I could live everyday being surrounded by that much water, but I’d lobe game to try a night or two. 🙂 Congratulations on your new vacation home. It’s lovely as is, but I cannot wait to see you work your magic. Even working on a budget, I know it’s going to be GOR. GEOUS. 🙂

    • Leslie Sinclair
      Posted at 04:29h, 27 May Reply

      Hi Geri! I am excited on the redo!! We are going up there in a couple of weeks to start on it! Have a great week!

  • classic•casual•home
    Posted at 13:49h, 26 May Reply

    That’s a tough one as I love the beach!…and you are beach bod ready! We used to have a ski condo and I liked the convenience, too. Can’t wait to see what you will do with the place!
    Mary Ann

    • Leslie Sinclair
      Posted at 04:30h, 27 May Reply

      We will see if I can become a Colorado lover!!I know a ski bunny isn’t in my cards!! Have a great week!!

  • DK
    Posted at 10:34h, 08 June Reply

    Joni has featured a couple of cute condo redo’s on her blog; here’s one:
    http://cotedetexas.blogspot.com/2014/04/ideas-from-talented-interior-designer.html

    • Leslie Sinclair
      Posted at 08:19h, 16 June Reply

      Wow!! thank you so much for those! I loved some of the ideas especially how they planked the bathroom walls!!!!!! Hope you are having a great summer!

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