Love Where You Live. Live Where You Love.

Photo by Aranka Israni

One of VIE’s core tenets from inception was to promote and celebrate all the beautiful and positive aspects of life, as our goal is always to inspire and acknowledge that the world is a wonderful place filled with so many good people doing extraordinary things. Too often, we only hear about sensational or negative stories, and we strive to be the antidote to that mindset. With so much natural beauty, remarkable architecture and interior design, and exceptional craftsmanship featured in this issue, I found it challenging to pinpoint my feelings and determine where to begin celebrating some of the most beautiful homes in the world right here in the beachside hamlet of South Walton. I reflected on this for several days because with each new issue, it possesses a life of its own, or at the very least, a vibe or personality that mirrors our perspective on what we wish to share with our readers.

Headquartered in the Grayton Beach community within Santa Rosa Beach in Northwest Florida, our office is located in South Walton, also known as 30-A—an energetic beachside community of Walton County along the Gulf Coast. Walton County is one of the fastest-growing counties in Florida, one of the fastest-growing states in the US. South Walton has flourished over the years and has become one of the most sought-after areas to live and vacation. Having resided here along Scenic Highway 30-A for thirty-three years, I’ve deeply appreciated its abundant beauty, philanthropic spirit, architecture, educational opportunities, cultural offerings, and ecological marvels.

The area boasts numerous state parks, bike paths, and world-renowned beaches with pristine white sand and emerald-green waters. Its fifteen rare coastal dune lakes are particularly beautiful. These ecological treasures are similar to those found in Oregon, Madagascar, Australia, and New Zealand. To preserve these natural wonders, the Coastal Dune Lakes Advisory Board diligently monitors the watersheds and Coastal Dune Lake Protection Zones.

South Walton has become a hub for innovative master-planned communities, thanks to the vision and risk-taking of a select group of forward-thinking individuals. These communities, including Seaside, Rosemary Beach, Alys Beach, and Kaiya Beach Resort, draw inspiration from the New Urbanism movement. Seaside, the first New Urbanist town of its kind, was established forty years ago by Robert Davis and master-planned by Andrés Duany and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk of DPZ CoDesign (formerly known as Duany Plater-Zyberk & Co. and DPZ Partners). DPZ subsequently went on to master plan Rosemary Beach and Alys Beach, two other world-class New Urbanist communities. Additional New Urbanist communities in the area include WaterColor and Watersound by the St. Joe Corporation and, most recently, Kaiya Beach Resort, which was master planned by Mauricio Castro and his firm, Place Alliance, and has since been expertly curated by Khoury Vogt Architects. More are likely to come in the near future.

Above all, it’s the people who make this community truly special.

I’m proud to know so many individuals from diverse backgrounds and continue to be amazed by their generosity, kindness, and compassion. The community’s dedication to fostering arts, entertainment, and cultural events, often centered around charitable causes, is truly remarkable. While the community’s needs are substantial, more organizations step forward each year to contribute their unique talents and gifts to serve those in need.

The area boasts a multitude of impressive organizations dedicated to serving, inspiring, and educating. These include Children’s Volunteer Health Network (CVHN), Seaside Institute, The REP Theatre in Seaside, Caring and Sharing, Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation, Point Washington Medical Clinic, and the Cultural Arts Alliance, among countless others. The Seaside School, Ohana, and other private schools, such as the Magnet Innovation Center (a local MIC/STEAM education outlet), provide outstanding educational opportunities. I have been privileged to serve on the boards of several local organizations, and through those experiences, I have witnessed firsthand the genuine dedication and tireless efforts of those who work to make a difference in our community.

I would also like to highlight an emerging nonprofit organization, Harlan’s Place Foundation. It was founded by Michael Carey, owner of Stock & Trade, in honor of his seven-year-old son, Harlan, who was born with Down syndrome. Harlan’s Place is committed to providing more than just housing for individuals with Down syndrome and other developmental disorders. It aims to create a true home where they can thrive and lead fulfilling lives.

Living in a close-knit and supportive community can significantly enhance your overall well-being. The connections we foster with neighbors, charitable organizations, colleagues, places of worship, friends, family, and local businesses are essential for combating feelings of isolation and disconnection, even in the most picturesque environments.

In a world where we can achieve anything, we should strive to be good.

To life!

—Lisa Marie Burwell

CEO/Editor-in-Chief/Creative Director

— V —

---