House on a bluff with stunning ocean views

House on a Bluff has been designed by architecture firm Hutchison & Maul situated in Seattle, Washington. This stunning 6,000 square foot house has been carefully planned and sited to create five outdoor “rooms” with distinct characteristics: a grassed front entry yard, a partially covered private sunning patio, a high-bank view lawn (perfect for croquet), and two upper decks.

An innovative cave dwelling in Milan

The Cave House is an apartment that has been transformed into an organic grotto, with massive walls and free circulation of energetic and continuous movement designed by Tiziana Serretta in Milan, Italy. Serretta is a Jane-of-all-trade whose creativity has spanned from art and fashion through to design. Her new conception, ArTS is in the groove of interior design and the research of unexplored concepts and new extraordinary materials. Using artists and craftsmen, her concept utilizes the theme of mobility and weightlessness, a structure that is easily moved with very low masonry costs where the designed volume can easily be dismantled and shipped away. Their first project is this 2,457 square foot (230 square meters) apartment, where the only closed area in the home is the restrooms.

The furnishings and custom made walls consist of a mixture of chalk covered in resin, cement powder, chromatic pigments and non-hazardous plastics. The state of the art, fully equipped kitchen is made out of practical steel. The ceiling has been brought back to the original cement, demolishing every single added layer. The pavement that integrates the full spacial expansion is made of pale resin mixed personally by Mrs. Serretta to volcanic sand, gold dust and mother of pearl powder. The majestic seventies bronzed steel fireplace dominates the living area defined by a modular round-shaped sofa covered with fur with an under-illuminated platform. The libraries’ surfaces have been molded with Japanese paper to enhance the variable lightness. The extremely abstract shelter is truly a work of futuristic art. Via

Photos: © Massimo Listri

Secluded New Zealand dwelling with majestic views

This beautiful home spotted on Sotheby’s Realty is elevated above Lake Hayes in Queenstown, New Zealand, a truly inspiring property that can’t help but impress. Absolute attention to detail and quality features throughout, from the moment of your arrival at the impressive entranceway it is evident no expense has been spared in creating the ultimate home on an exceptional private and tranquil landscape.

This architecturally-designed property features 7,535 square feet of living space with five bedrooms and four bathrooms, a state of the art theater room which is perfect for entertaining and relaxation, and a stunning indoor swimming pool with a diving platform and swimming jet system. The superb open style entertainer’s kitchen and dining area are complimented by an adjacent butler’s pantry, while the living area is positioned to maximize the spectacular views beyond. Stroll across the lawn to the substantial pond and peaceful meditation platform, where you can relax and enjoy the impressive waterfall.

This wonderful New Zealand property is listed for sale at $11,966,494, from here.

Cantabrian House inspired by American modernism

Inspired by American modernism, this Cantabrian House mixes pieces of designer furnishings with works of art that give it character and very special appeal. The residence is reminiscent of the Farnstworth House designed by Mies van der Rohe, Illinois: large windows, large eaves of concrete, clear spaces. When it comes to devising this detached house located in Cantabria, international interior designer Ana Escarzarga, owner of Del Veinte Galería, specializing in mid-20th century vintage design, was inspired by the aesthetic precepts of American modernism. The slate flooring, the use of wood and masonry and the breadth of windows that make up the exterior and interior, every detail reflects this mid-1940s style. In addition to the project, carried out together with EME Arquitectos, Ana Escarzarga also reflected the spirit of the time in the decoration.

Beautiful Swedish villa with stunning sea views

This beautiful villa spotted on ESNY is located in Gottskär, Sweden is something quite extraordinary in appearance, layout and quality of materials. In addition to a wonderful kitchen with large dining area is a spacious master bedroom with en-suite bathroom. The master bathroom has a stone floor in Bihara stone; even the bathtub and washbasin are Bihara stone from Boffi. There are three additional bedrooms, a living room/TV room and a totally amazing large salon with huge electronic sliding glass windows offering stunning views over the sea. The 1,937 square foot (180 square meters) villa is dressed with Canadian cedar wood and stone work made in Bohus-granite (red granite from Sweden). The swimming pool is cast in concrete dressed in a special brushed Bohus-granite.

Modern-rustic chalet perched in the Swiss Alps

This picture perfect chalet, The Lodge, is owned by Sir Richard Branson, perched high in the Swiss Alps in a forested area above the town of Verbier, Switzerland. The nine-bedroom chalet is decorated with a mix of modern and rustic alpine décor, clad in a cream and Swiss-chocolate color motif. The two Master Suites on the top floor feature open fireplaces and private balconies from which to survey the spectacular views of the Swiss peaks. Rooms can be reserved individually, hotel style, but preference is given if you book the entire facility.

After an active day on the slopes, there’s plenty for guests to do back at The Lodge to relax and unwind. There’s the in-house spa where guests can treat themselves to a treatment or use the gym or take a dip in the indoor pool or Jacuzzi. The Lounge allows guests to snuggle up in front of the fire with a good book or, for those looking to let their hair down, take to the Party Room! The Party Room has a pool table, a bar, a wine selection, game consoles and a 50” plasma screen. With access to 400 km of land, house staff and an activities director to help co-ordinate your days, this chalet is truly an unforgettable experience.

To stay at this incredible chalet, nightly rates start from $823 per night, from here.

Crescent House with fabulous views of Mt. Fuji

Crescent House is a vacation home located on the slope of south Hakone Villa residence area in Atami, Japan. Designed by world renowned Japanese architect Shigeru Ban, the home offers uninterrupted scenic views of Mt.Fuji. Standing in the site, in order not to allow people to look at east, west and south sides, the idea that the crescent-shaped plan which opens up to north corresponding to the site and the cross section which looks like the “C” character( the “U” character which falls down) naturally comes up to mind right away.

In the crescent-shaped plan, there is 1,983 square feet (184 square meters) of living space with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living, dining and kitchen area, all arranged by putting furniture and volumes of utility facilities as partitions. The center of the crescent-shaped plan has a huge cantilevered roof since the cross section of that area is the deepest because of used as a living area. Although a column became necessary in order to prevent the roof from bending, a chimney of fireplace is used instead of it.

What do you think of this incredible home we discovered on Sotheby’s International Realty? It is currently listed for sale at $2,258,050 from here.

Spectacular modern cliffside luxury in Cape Town

Gripping the edge of the cliff in Signal Hill, Cape Town, Head Road 1943 has been re-furbished by Antoni Associates as a commissioned project of a SAOTA designed house. The clients wished to have a cutting edge 21st Century residence that incorporates the use of luxurious and tailored finishes. The clients also desired two additional children’s rooms, a gym and a home cinema to be added into the design scheme. The designers had to take into consideration the pool terrace to allow for entertainment as well as to capture the spectacular city views.

Here is a description of the project renovation, “the furniture selection and decor is a combination of bespoke pieces and imported branded furniture. Adjacent to the open plan living and dining room is the bar containing a custom-designed humidor for an extensive cigar collection. The kitchen is finished in high gloss white lacquered units with Volakas marble counter tops.

The outdoor entertainment area has been designed to facilitate a multitude of entertainment functions and includes a gazebo pavilion, outdoor dining and grill area as well as relaxation for sunseekers. The pool gazebo has been constructed mainly of Iroko timber and has a raised deck with concealed strip lighting. In contrast to the white Volakas floor, black Nero Maraquino marble has been used to clad a cantilevered fireplace shelf which extends over the pool edge. Sumptuous upholstery adds to the sexy comfort of this outdoor room. The infinity pool allows the eye to flow to the expanse of the Atlantic Ocean.” Via

Visit the website of Antoni Associates here.

Photos: Adam Letch

Tropical beach house in the Brazilian jungle

This incredible tropical beach house is set inside a fantastic preserved area of rain forest, on the coast of São Sebastião, just minutes from Barra do Una Beach, Brazil. Designed by São Paulo-based architecture firm ArqDonini this house respects the environment due to its construction. The adopted system was a mix of iron frame, corrugated panels, dry wall, still deck and ready-made aluminum windows. Due to the topography of the land, the ground floor is not on the ground but elevated by support columns and bins made of special oxidized steel. This level opens up to a large area, connected to the outside by sliding glass doors and windows.

The upper level, with three bedrooms rooms and three bathrooms, also shares the same lush green view. A rooftop and a naturally paved open basement complete the collection of possibilities for relaxation. The architects also incorporated Vedic Architecture to find the best solutions for wind flux for ventilation and to take advantage of maximum sunlight. This also helped them chose the square shape of the home, (a sacred shape for the homeowner) as the mathematic basis for creating all the spaces, including the most important one: the empty center, where all energies can freely run. Via

Picturesque rural farmhouse in Montana

The Stock Farm Residence was designed by architecture studio Locati Architects and is situated near the small rural town of Hamilton, Montana. The rural setting creates an extremely picturesque and peaceful environment for this rustic home with mountain ranges in the background. This was an ideal condition for the owner’s desire to construct a residence that would help to maximize indoor/outdoor living, working and entertaining. Here is a description of the project from the architects, “the home is designed in three parts in order to separate the more public from the private spaces. The main living spaces are centrally located, with the outer branches of the house accommodating the more private areas such as the bedrooms and owner’s art studio.

Each section of the home is linked by hallways of abundant glass to once again maximize the amazing views. A key element of the Stock Farm Residence is the centrally located covered patio. This patio is the ultimate gathering place including a built-in barbecue, dining area, and nearby fire pit. When the weather is unsuitable for gathering on the covered patio, the Great Room is yet another place optimally suited for entertaining. Featuring a vaulted ceiling, large expanses of glass, and an impressive stone fireplace, the space is exemplary for comfortable living.”

Visit the website of Locati Architects here.

The art studio is another fun space in the home, with dual garage doors on either end, the room can be completely opened up for maximum ventilation and connection to the outdoors for creative inspiration.

Photos: © Gibeon Photography