USVI-On-Line

Hi forum folks. Well there hasn't been one of these in a while - a building blog that is! I guess the building on STJ has slowed up quite a bit except for crazy people like us.

So after taking the leap here is a link to our building blog. I am going to STJ in 3 weeks with my sister to do some finishing touches on this long awaited dream and get it ready for renters.

I hope you enjoy the read.
http://www.andaravilla.com

... feeling so excited when reading your post! We drove out to Dreeket's in October 2009 and saw your villa under construction from the road; I know that I am going to love reading this blog!!! Congratulations on the completion of this adventure; may you and your family have many wonderful times there... views to die for!

Thanks lprof! We've come a long way since October 2009 and are chomping at the bit to actually spend some vacay time at Andara.

I will update things after my sis & I make a visit in December to tidy things up.

Gorgeous.

LOVE a good building blog! Can't WAIT to read it. Thanks for the link!

Loved the whole thing..thanks for taking the time...great detail on all levels

Thanks for the words of encouragement everyone. I have never written anything like this before and was kinda nervous about posting it.

Something to read, yippee! Congrats to you!

Wow…What a stunning villa and a great read! Congratulations!

I see no expense was spared, and the beauty really shows in your choice of details.

The round sea-life themed mosaic in the great room is impressive. Is that part of the travertine floor imported from Turkey? Equally lovely are the doors and windows made from Nicaraguan mahogany and the shell and pineapple carvings in the kitchen are beautiful. Even the stained Cyprus gazebo ceilings are artful in themselves.

I hope those were turtle mosaics and not the real things in the bottom of the salt water pool!

You mentioned experience St. John “the way it used to be”. I haven’t had the good fortune to visit the East End or Dreeket’s Bay area, but hopefully a vacation at Andara Villa will be in our future.

Thanks for your kind words Spindrift. The mosaic in the great room is from a company in Canada that makes them by hand. This villa was such a labor of love and we poured our heart and soul (and bank account!) into it. It's nice that you noticed a lot of the details. Sometimes it is the small things that really make a difference. That is one of the things we really love about our builder. He put in the extra effort in detail work without us having to ask.

I will let you know if the "turtles" come up for air

Wow, I'm jealous, I doubt my dream to own on STJ will ever be realized, it's great that you made it happen!

Viva needs to fix the map link through their site...it puts your villa smack dab in the middle of Canada

I do think we saw your villa under construction in June of 2009...was it just barely started then?

Yup, that was us breaking ground in June 2009. In some ways it feels like that was a long time ago and in others it seems like it was last month!

Viva is aware of our St John, Nova Scotia location and is working on a fix. For now I am happy that the temperature at our villa is no where near Canada

Your building blog provides a real feeling for the process. I read the whole thing right away - couldn't wait to get to the next page. Your home is lovely and your writing transported me directly to STJ. Thank you.

LOVE the house..can't wait to stay there one day

CONGRATS!