Turquoise blue waters, salty fresh air and sugar white sand are what pull many to the area who want to escape for a weekend or extended vacation. Some even find themselves staying for a lifetime. With an emphasis on leisure, relaxation and fun, 30A offers such a retreat. It is a place to gather with family and friends, and where good times are bound to happen.
A new coffee table book, “30A Living,” by Eleanor Lynn Nesmith and photographer Jean Allsopp, captures the essence and the spirit of the area. Together, the writer/photographer duo takes readers on a lavish visual and written exploration of Seaside and the iconic Scenic Highway 30A.
Featuring hundreds of images, “30A Living” explores nine of the colorful towns that enliven the unique 20-mile stretch of beach, and takes a rare glimpse inside 18 inspiring homes from Santa Rosa Beach to Alys Beach to Seaside.
A North Carolina native who now calls 30A home, Nesmith spent her childhood summers in Sunset Beach and graduated from the University of North Carolina. She started her career with Architecture magazine and later served as architecture editor of Southern Living magazine. Her words have appeared in Architectural Record, Better Homes & Gardens, The Washington Post, House Beautiful, Traditional Home and Coastal Living.
“I wrote my first book about the area more than 10 years ago, and that was ‘Seaside Style,’” Nesmith says. “In 2004, I published ‘30A Style,’ and each were a great success. I was ready to share a similar, but ultimately different experience with readers by creating ‘30A Living.’ People love to have a coffee table book to be reminded of the beach when they return home, or as locals to just display and enjoy.”
If you have an eye for detail, are interested in unique design and incredible architecture, or feel connected to one of the communities within the pages, “30A Living” is a book you’ll want to savor. “From the outside, these houses are remarkable for the way they commune with their settings or take in spectacular gulf views,” Nesmith says. “The design cues and details reflect the area’s strong architectural traditions. And the gracious rooms reveal a creative spirit and style unique to their owners.”
Celebrating the reasons we are drawn to the water’s edge, and the beloved town of Seaside, “30A Living” provides inspiration to those who dream of having a coastal home, and will captivate those who are already living along the Gulf of Mexico.
“30A Living” is available for purchase in Seaside at The Seaside Style, Sundog Books, and an Apartment in Paris. Visit 30ALivingBook.com for more information.