2009 Coastal Living Idea House Builder

Founded by Mark A. Saunders, Mark Saunders Luxury Homes® is the leader in perfecting southeastern North Carolina coastal lifestyles, both on the Brunswick Islands and within the most beautiful coastal communities in southeastern North Carolina. Through The Coastal Companies®, Mark Saunders demonstratesmslh team faithful stewardship by recognizing the sustaining value of pristine beaches, marsh savannas, maritime forests, and natural habitats that populate the native flora and fauna. Perfecting the coastal lifestyle is his passion and why his reputation is one of experience, integrity and excellence.

All of Mark Saunders Luxury Homes designs and construction standards are the result of the finest architectural designs and the highest quality craftsmanship, as well as a thoughtful analysis of environmental, structural, and aesthetic considerations. Mark Saunders Luxury Homes is a team of seasoned professionals who provide dedicated, thoughtful, and conscientious expertise to every phase of home design, construction and “after care” of truly extraordinary coastal homes.

Mark considers it a privilege that Coastal Living magazine selected Mark Saunders Luxury Homes to share in the Idea House experience. "What a pleasure and blessing it has been to serve as partners with Coastal Living magazine. Our joint project team has masterfully designed, built, equipped and adorned a one-of-a-kind home that sets a high standard for the coastal lifestyle. We are very grateful for each sponsor who has helped create an opportunity for thousands of people to tour and enjoy the 2009 Coastal Living Idea Home." – Mark A. Saunders

2009 Coastal Living Idea House Architect

The original Cape design selected for the 2009 Idea House is by Guidry-Coastal Architecture and local master builder Mark Saunders Luxury Homes. Lead architect Sam Guidry received his BA in Architecture in 1979 at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and brings more than 30 years experience to the project. Sam was born and raised in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana and worked as an architect first in Baton Rouge and then moved to Wilmington, NC in 1986. This was an opportunity for his wife to be closer to her family in Maryland and for them to live near the coast. In 1991, Sam started his own firm designing commercial and residential projects. Some of his favorite Wilmington projects are the Water Street Center and the Front Street Brew Pub as well as sam guidrymany residences in Landfall. A few years after establishing his own firm, Sam met Mark Saunders and working together with M ark, he designs unique custom homes for clients who want that special one-of-a kind home at the beautiful North Carolina coast.

The opportunity to design the Coastal Living Idea Home for 2009 is one of the highest honors Sam has achieved during his thirty-year career as an architect. Guidry has worked extensively with The Coastal Companies and its CEO, Mark Saunders, since 1995. As of this writing, Sam has designed over 350 homes built by Mark Saunders Luxury Homes LLC. Guidry’s designs include the Seawatch Parade of Homes award-winning Conch feature home, the southern low country feature home, the Kayak & Canoe Clubhouse and the other innovative home designs available at Seawatch at Sunset Harbor, as well as The Coastal Companies' four other coastal communities in southeastern North Carolina.

One interesting aspect of Sam is he served for many years as a Naval Reserve officer having served in the Navy’s Civil Engineering Corps, working with several construction battalions.

2009 Coastal Living Idea House Interior Designer

psid teamPhillip Sides of Phillip Sides Interior Design was selected to create and supervise the interior design of the 2009 Idea House. A registered Architectural and Interior Design Firm located in Montgomery, Alabama, Phillip Sides Interior Design has served clientele in the United States, Bermuda, and England. The company’s professional citations include show houses for Southern Accents Magazine, Met Home of the Year Winner for Metropolitan Home in 1984, and Top 125 Interior Designers in America 2003 by House Beautiful Magazine.

2009 Coastal Living Magazine Idea House Landscape Architect

Dan is originally from West Virginia, first receiving an Associates Degree in Civil Engineering and Graphics then obtaining a BSLA degree in Landscape Architecture at West Virginia University in 1988.

After graduation Dan began his career in Wilmington, North Carolina with Edward D. Stone Jr. and Associates, one of the largest planning and landscape Architecture firm’s along the east coast.  His years at EDSA gave him the dan weeksopportunity to travel and gather a wealth of diversity and experience in all aspects of planning and landscape architecture for the public and private sector. As Planning Director at Bald Head Island, Dan experienced firsthand the delicate balance of the various eco systems and the impacts of development. In 1997 Dan opened a branch office in Wilmington for HadenStanziale as they expanded into Southeast North Carolina.

In 2007, Dan had the opportunity to join the The Coastal Companies family and to continue his collaboration with Mark who shares his commitment to stewardship and preservation of our environment.  His design philosophy is to blend the natural surroundings with the man made environment so that harmony is established.

The Coastal Living Idea Home provided the opportunity to integrate the interior and exterior space creating a visual balance as experienced from all elevations of this beautiful home.