Pavilion house in Australia open to a lush landscape

Angophora House has been designed by architect Richard Leplastrier, sited on the Eastern tip of the extended grove of Angophoras that makes up the iconic Angophora Reserve in Avalon, New South Wales, Australia. The house is a pavilion-plan, where the design has been informed by the location. Comprising six pavilions, they seemingly waltz in harmony with the existing Angophoras, creating a courtyard feel. The layout of the buildings has a practicality that slowly becomes apparent; the separation of the master bedroom; further bedrooms rising through the tree canopy; adjoining living and dining areas; and a multitude of uses for the guest pavilion.

Sheltered from the harsh southerlies in winter, in summer a cool north-easterly breeze ventilates this little valley with help from a canopy of Angophora leaves and remnant rainforest Lily Pilly. This creates a micro-climate that is about three degrees cooler than the temperature on the street.

This fabulous house is listed for sale from here.

To enter the house one is drawn between the guest and main bedroom pavilion into the internal courtyard, down three steps to the front door, detailed with blue and yellow glass to either side.

The pavilions facing one another create a space that is one of reflection and perhaps even best described as ‘internalized’. There is an order and a hierarchy to the design. The scales of the pavilions are quite different. One is just 1.3 x 3.2m, to the main living pavilion, comprising a three-storey tower that draws one up into the tree canopy.

Even though it is a highly designed space, the house feels relaxed and natural at every turn. The honesty of the material palette creates an easy relationship with the environment.

A series of floating decks with wooden steps join the main pavilions, creating a walkway between the spaces. One engages with the environment. This house is as far away from being an air-conditioned executive box as one can get.

The simplicity of palette in materials and meticulous construction creates a soothing ‘easy on the eye’ calmness. The architect has complimented the owner builder during the final construction phase saying that this quietness is very hard to achieve.

Integral to this is the detailing. And there are numerous details to speak of; the three-storey tower pavilion with external spiral staircase encapsulated in chrysalis-like form within the structure of a remnant rainforest Lilly Pilly.

The guest pavilion’s 6m x 4m floor, comprised of five slabs of Jarrah, the outside wain edge being retained showing the history of scrub fires that harassed the tree in life but now locked into a floor by stainless steel chains and mirroring our majestic Eastern Seaboard coastline.

There are many more details that surprise and delight; from the beautiful handmade copper sinks and light fittings down to the smallest of details such as the handmade whipped leather front door handle covers.

The property is perhaps best summed up by the current owners who say, ‘We have had great pleasure in living here and being a custodian of this iconic treasure. Unfortunately, we are passing the baton to someone else who I am sure will love and cherish this house. Numerous architectural students from all over Australia and from Gifu wood working university in Japan have seen this house and it has given them much pleasure, as I am sure it will for others into the future.’

Scandinavian apartment with tasteful modern design

This 18th century property, spotted on Fantastic Frank,  is situated in a former inn with only three apartments that have been carefully preserved and restored in Ekensberg, Sweden. With its own entrance with original stone floors and wooden doors and unique floor plan, this special apartment has two rooms, open-plan kitchen with small dining area and living room with variable ceiling height and its own private and inviting patio of about 16 square meters. The 45 square meters apartment features tasteful modern design and function in harmony with details that are preserved from the building. There is also an intimate bedroom and bathroom with tiled floors and underfloor heating and bathtub.

Stillwater Villa in the charming village of Stirlingshire

Stillwater is a contemporary villa discovered on Savills, which is set in a remarkable position perched over a small private loch, with just over 6 acres of mature grounds and formal gardens on the edge of Killearn, a charming village in West Stirlingshire, Glasgow. It was designed by McInnes Gardner Architects and was completed in 2006, receiving recent acclaim on the television show ‘Grand Designs’. Formed over two levels and built under a slate roof, this innovative contemporary 3,453 square foot home cleverly marries traditional materials with new modern building technology. It is constructed to a specification rarely seen in this country. It features floor to ceiling glass in the main apartments and a terrace which cleverly wraps itself around the ground floor.

The kitchen is designed and manufactured in Germany by FORMAT. The mood lighting system allows for programmable sequences through the home whilst the integral sound system allows for music in the principal areas. Of particular note is the cantilevered glass staircase. Throughout the house there is polished American walnut flooring. The reception hallway is open plan with the dining area, kitchen and lounge. It has an innovative glass staircase with open risers ascending to the first floor. A change in level defines the dining area which has French doors opening to the terrace. Steps descend into the double height lounge which has a contemporary open fireplace and two sets of French doors opening to the terrace and the front garden.

This stunning property is listed for sale at $1,705,499, from here.

Steps descend from the kitchen into the sitting room which is separated from the kitchen by an impressive aquarium.

The sitting room has a free standing corner wood burning stove.

Upstairs are four bedrooms, three of which have en-suite bathrooms. The upper hallway has a gallery overlooking the reception hallway and drawing room. The master bedroom, with floor to ceiling glass wall overlookings the private loch.

There are two walk in dressing rooms and an en-suite bathroom which is semi open plan to the bedroom. It has a Jacuzzi whirlpool bath, wet room shower, twin glass wash hand basins, sauna and separate water closet.

Outside, Stilwater is equally as impressive, with a wraparound terrace at ground floor level and a substantial terrace off the master suite on the first floor. Electric gates open to the gravel driveway which sweeps towards the house and offers parking space for a number of cars. On either side of the driveway are beautiful manicured lawns.

Astounding warehouse conversion with garden oasis

This original South Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia artist’s warehouse conversion has been the longtime home and studio to a renowned painter. This rare stand alone Victorian warehouse is the perfect place to live and work on the city fringe. The property has retained not just original soaring ceiling heights and Oregon beams but the true spirit of a creative loft. Massive studio gallery, two bedrooms plus study/office, library, kitchen living space with deck, jungle oasis garden, two bathrooms and in-floor heating make the space a comfortable home. This rare find is a genuine warehouse which has escaped the developers. This unique home is listed for sale from here.

Architecturally stunning retreat off the Big Sur coast

World-renowned architect Mickey Muennig created a remodel plan for this stunning contemporary home in Big Sur, California. Nestled on 10 acres, the 4,685 square foot property boasts four bedrooms, three bathrooms and four fireplaces. This retreat is very private, situated at the end of the road on the ridge-line plateau which affords incredible mountain and ocean views and lots of rare level ground. The property also includes an original guest house with fireplace as well as an inactive well. Water is supplied by a community well.

This architecturally stunning ocean view property is listed for sale at $3,495,000, from here.

Stylish and cozy small apartment in Bagaregården

This cozy apartment, spotted on Stadshem, is located in one of Bagaregården’s, a district in Gothenburg, Sweden, most beautiful large building blocks built in the early 1900’s. The interior of the 559 square foot (52 square meters) apartment features beautiful oak plank flooring throughout and large windows providing ample daylight and beautiful views of a nearby park. The living room is very spacious while still maintaining a light and airy feel. The walls are painted in white, while partially covered with wallpapering. The spacious kitchen with white cabinetry and a backsplash of turquoise tiles has an open concept with space for a dining table. The stunning bedroom has a beautiful feature wall in a dark laminate that gives the room character, while the rest of the walls are painted in white.

Beyond spectacular loft mansion in TriBeCa

This exceptional limestone loft mansion, spotted on Elliman, was built in 1862 and was just recently gut renovated to the highest standards, situated in the heart of Tribeca, New York. We originally featured this loft here, when it was for sale a year ago. This one-of-a-kind masterpiece boasts 30,000 square feet of living space, being one of the largest and most beautiful properties to ever become available downtown. Built 41feet x 109feet with six floors above grade and two floors below grade, this property has been completely renovated both structurally and cosmetically to retain the structure’s original character. The grand proportions of this building, with ceiling heights ranging from 12-17 feet, huge windows and multiple skylights bathe all areas with superb light. Brand new mechanical systems and an elevator are in place, as well as top-of-the-line appliances, fixtures and hardware.

The building features an owner’s penthouse (approx. 11,000 square feet of living space) on the 4th, 5th and 6th floors with an extraordinary, fully landscaped roofdeck and terrace (2,775 square feet). This Penthouse also comes with a private gym and half basketball court in the basement (2,650 square feet). The property generates substantial rental income from two floors of meticulously renovated rental units (2nd and 3rd floor, 4000 square feet each) that if desired can be delivered vacant, and a high end showroom on the ground/retail floor with a half basement (7,750 square feet). This is an entirely unique opportunity to purchase an elegant and classic loft building in triple mint condition that is also suitable for a condominium conversion: retain the penthouse and sell the remaining units.

This fabulous loft mansion is listed for sale at $49,500,000, from here.

Dramatic waterfront retreat on Pender Harbour

This exclusive waterfront property listed with Jamie MacDougall for Sotheby’s Realty, is situated on Pender Harbour, a multi-inleted bay on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast. This gated oasis spans over 21 acres with 1,000 feet of natural shoreline and offers total privacy and seclusion. The masterful architecture and luxury building materials make this a world-class living experience. Exposed architectural reinforced concrete walls are combined with Pennsylvania Blue Stone floors and Douglas Fir beams inside to create a delicate warmth to host an over 6,600 square feet of main residence with six fully en-suited bedrooms. Each bedroom enjoys total privacy, 180-degree breathtaking views and its own access outdoors. The grounds also host a 630 square foot boat house guest suite and a 1,240 square foot self-contained caretaker’s residence. Each of these spaces was mindfully designed to embrace the natural beauty surrounding this extraordinary property.

The open plan kitchen, living and dining room extend outside thru bi-fold doors to meld the indoor/outdoor ambience with a heated patio, fire pit and in ground hot tub at water’s edge. The exterior finish includes a mix of zinc and planted green roof with harvested cedar siding and stone veneer walls, carefully considered to blend with the West Coast environment and its spectacular elements. A sensational home with top of the line technical details: Crestron Smart Home, Geothermal heating and cooling and private water supply mark today’s standards. Residents enjoy this private oceanfront, a dock, boardwalk, sport court, a helipad and over 1 mile of manicured hiking and walking trails.

This architecturally significant and spectacularly engineered masterpiece is listed for sale at, $20,000,000, from here.

Sumptuous modern residence in Beverly Hills

This stunning renovation located at 1705 Angelo Drive in Beverly Hills, California was completed by world renowned architect William Stephenson. The 5,060 square foot home was originally built back in 1956 and has been completely redesigned into a beautiful modern floor plan with soaring 12 foot high ceilings. Flooded with natural light, the home showcases floor-to-ceiling glass doors and windows from all rooms and opens to a private backyard paradise with pool, wood decking and manicured grass yard. There is beautiful Terrazzo flooring flowing throughout the grand open rooms. Gourmet kitchen with custom stone counter, luxury Wolf and Subzero appliances, large center island and 4-top breakfast area. A grand hallway features an art gallery that leads to the master suite. Additional features include hi-tech alarm system, cabana room, lighted waterfall and natural light 3 car garage. With four bedrooms and five bathrooms, the home boasts an amazing 220 feet of frontage on famous Angelo Drive, 6 houses away from multi-million dollar mega estates.

This stunning property is listed for sale at $3,999,900, from here.

Fabulous New York penthouse on SoHo’s Crosby Street

This contemporary penthouse, spotted on Elliman, is chalk full of stylish design, situated in trendy SoHo, New York. This fabulous property features five bedrooms (convertible seven), four and one half baths, plenty of wide open space, soaring 12 foot ceilings, lit by way of window after window, this space offers room to grow and then some. Enter through a gracious foyer into the spectacular living room sun kissed by an enormous skylight. Tread on dark stained white oak flooring past seven windows into the grand eat-in-kitchen and dining room. A chef’s dream appears filled with high end appliances, Carrara marble and luxurious blue stone as well as custom milled wood and stainless cabinetry.

The master suite is the ultimate retreat featuring two large walk-in closets and a tranquil marble master bath designed for the ultimate in relaxation. A deep air jet Jacuzzi soaking tub takes center stage while a warm steam shower plays a strong supporting role. Radiant heat floors assure comfort all year round. Also, on this floor, three more bedrooms and two and one half more baths, as well as a large media room/ playroom, a home office and a laundry room complete with two oversized washers and dryers.

Head up to the second floor by way of a stair case that encircles a two-story Balinese wall and find even more room to spread out. A second stunning dining room opens up to a full outdoor kitchen. A media room offers a cozy haven lit by an enormous skylight and warmed by a gas fireplace. Another home office is tucked away for privacy. Swing open the French doors to reveal an incredible 3,073 square foot private roof deck with an outdoor fireplace and plenty of seating on which to unwind. Also on this floor is a home gym with access to a secluded grotto offering a soothing hot tub and outdoor shower. As an added convenience, the second floor also features a service kitchen (with dumbwaiter to the main kitchen) with wine storage, and an additional bedroom and full bath.

This fabulous New York penthouse is listed at $24,500,000, from here.