Studio Tagland's Savvy Living Article

by Millicent K. Brody

Long Beach Island has become the ideal place to design and build a seaside retreat for weekend, vacation and summer getaways.

Welcome Long Beach Island sign

Map of Long Beach Island A home on the shore is an increasingly attractive way to fulfill the modern need for extra space to live, entertain and play. And for many East Coast sophisticates, Long Beach Island is the ideal location to design and build a one-of-a-kind dream home.

A beach house is not something people have to have, but it often is something they want, say realty agents on the island. But once the decision to build is made, it's not unusual to see people buy island property, tear down an existing house and rebuild it to their own desires, agents say.

Local architects can offer creative plans that suit a host of contemporary lifestyles, say property owners who have built new homes or renovated older properties on the island. "They build homes you're not likely to see anywhere else," says Jane Preiser, who recently moved into a new traditional-styled bayside home.

"Away from the normal routine, I have more time to read and work in the garden," recounts Dr. Seymour Koslowsky of Westfield and Harvey Cedars, one of the 20 towns and residential districts that line the 18 mile-long island. "A beach house is the magnet that keeps the family together for all special occasions."

Mixture of architectural styles

Cookbook of design ideas Architects say most people want their summer homes to be completely different from their primary residences. "Clients allow me to open my cookbook of architectural ideas," says Harvey Cedars architect Bill Tagland, "so I often provide them great expanses of window glass with large overhanging roofs, shingled walls and columns."

Tagland's home designs range from traditional to the avant-garde. Once, to fulfill a client's dream, he installed a regulation squash court in a guest house.

Tagland home According to Tagland, it usually takes four to six months to design an island home and another eight months to a year to build it. "We are the eyes and ears of the homeowner, paying close attention to all aspects of structural integrity, right down to the smallest details of landscaping and light fixtures," he boasts.

Excerpts From:
by Millicent K. Brody Long Beach Island has become the ideal place to design and build a seaside retreat for weekend, vacation and summer getaways. A home on the shore is an increasingly attractive way to fulfill the modern need for extra space to live, entertain and play. And for many East Coast sophisticates, Long Beach Island is the ideal location to design and build a one-of-a-kind dream home. A beach house is not something people have to have, but it often is something they want, say realty agents on the island. But once the decision to build is made, it's not unusual to see people buy island property, tear down an existing house and rebuild it to their own desires, agents say. Local architects can offer creative plans that suit a host of contemporary lifestyles, say property owners who have built new homes or renovated older properties on the island. "They build homes you're not likely to see anywhere else," says Jane Preiser, who recently moved into a new traditional-styled bayside home. "Away from the normal routine, I have more time to read and work in the garden," recounts Dr. Seymour Koslowsky of Westfield and Harvey Cedars, one of the 20 towns and residential districts that line the 18 mile-long island. "A beach house is the magnet that keeps the family together for all special occasions." Mixture of architectural styles Cookbook of design ideas Architects say most people want their summer homes to be completely different from their primary residences. "Clients allow me to open my cookbook of architectural ideas," says Harvey Cedars architect Bill Tagland, "so I often provide them great expanses of window glass with large overhanging roofs, shingled walls and columns." Tagland's home designs range from traditional to the avant-garde. Once, to fulfill a client's dream, he installed a regulation squash court in a guest house. According to Tagland, it usually takes four to six months to design an island home and another eight months to a year to build it. "We are the eyes and ears of the homeowner, paying close attention to all aspects of structural integrity, right down to the smallest details of landscaping and light fixtures," he boasts.