Whether your waterfront property is home base or a weekend retreat, you want the space to feel comfortable and uniquely you. Since design trends come and go--some sustainable, others fleeting crazes--it helps to reflect on your needs and preferences before diving into a decorating frenzy. That said, recent design trends have given us everything  from funky patterns to minimalist lines. Whatever direction you lean, try to enjoy the process of creation...remember, it's supposed to be fun.

Long Beach Island is a place of natural beauty and valuable real estate. With sandy beaches, beautiful sunsets and salty air, Long Beach Island is a summer paradise that has long attracted home buyers and real estate investors. Many buyers choose to rent their property to vacation-goers in the summer, and live in their property the rest of the year. For these property owners, summer rental income helps pay the mortgage, and support a relaxed island lifestyle throughout the fall, winter and spring.

Although Long Beach Island is a hidden gem that serves up opportunities for quality time with loved ones year 'round, the warm summer months offer the most variety. An 18-mile barrier land mass, this New Jersey shore has everything you could want for fun, relaxation, culture and entertainment. Here's a look at some of the area's top destinations:

Once you’ve decided to build a custom home in Hunterdon County, the to-do list fills up fast. Budgets and design ideas, neighborhoods and construction concepts—the endless possibilities become both exhilarating and fatiguing.