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Ultimate getaway on the Balinese coast
This exceptional coastal home is the result of the vision of Hollywood film director Rob Cohen and his wife beneath the sacred volcano Mount Agung in Candidasa, Bali. Dominating the Pantai Jasi coast, and set amid a coconut plantation right at the water’s edge, the 6,265 square foot six bedroom, six bathroom villa is modeled on the royal residences of the Minang people of Sumatra, and built entirely from recycled timber. Designer Linda Garland revived the traditional Sumatran Minangkabau architecture. The main pavilion’s exterior facade is fashioned after an aristocratic adobe, stepping up at the ends.
The big house has been constructed of reclaimed ironwood utility poles. The open air living area is outfitted with 10-foot bamboo sofas designed by Linda, who decorated the space with the Cohens’ collection of Bali Aga statues and Balinese masks. From the master bedroom pavilion, spectacular views of both a man-made lake and the ocean can be enjoyed. Both the interiors and exterior of the building’s walls are comprised of plaited black bamboo and thatch roofs made from locally derived cogon grass. Throughout the complex, buildings were pegged together—not a single nail was used.
The ultimate getaway-from-it-all residence for a buyer who’s a beachcomber at heart, listed for an undisclosed price from here.
A second guesthouse features elaborately carved doors from salvaged scraps from an old Batak house on neighboring Sumatra.
A traditional rice storage house called a lumbung was adapted as one of two guesthouses.
Photos: Tim Street-Porter
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Haven of tranquility and relaxation in Mallorca
This beautiful vacation refuge was spotted on Nuevo Estilo and is located near Artà, a small town with history, charm and beautiful beaches in a perimeter of only five kilometers, on the Spanish Balearic island of Majorca. The owners commissioned architecture studio Zirón Architects to implement traditional old Majorcan construction to build the home. The owner’s objective was to create a haven of retreat and rest from their intense working life. The home was designed with amplitude of spaces and the use of natural materials to create a cozy living environment.
It’s quiet and open interior transported the ancient essence to a modern vision of space, in tune with the nature that surrounds. In contrast to a ‘Centennial’ appearance, the interiors are open and airy, reflecting modernity and comfort. The interiors feature stone, recovered Catalan beams, windows, doors and floors made with old treated wood and continuous polished concrete flooring. The walls were painted in shades of sand to create warmth and reflect the light in the rooms that are always in connection with the garden. The decoration is simple and austere, exuding quietude and combines braided fiber, wooden furniture and tapestries of white cotton in a culmination of naturalness and relaxation.
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Modern beach house on the Brazilian coast
Two boxes of reinforced concrete, rest fixed connected on the mountainside of the Brazilian coast. The Paraty House is located between São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, on one of the islands near Paraty City, where the residence cantilevers 8-meters outward from the mountainside. The 9,041 square foot (840 square meters) house finds balance in the topography of the land where the living space is open to the untouched nature. Designed by architect Marcio Kogan, the residence rests in seclusion where the inhabitants have to arrive by boat. After stepping on the sand the residents make their way inside via a metallic bridge positioned over a crystal-lined reflecting pool. The bridge leads to stairs connecting to the lower volume. This level features huge glass windows that allow for views of the sea, hosting the living room, kitchen and service area, the upper level lodges the bedrooms. In the front part of the house, retractile panels of eucalyptus sticks protect the bedrooms from the sun. The spaces that face the mountain have small internal patios with zenital lighting and the use of exposed reinforced concrete grants a striking texture to the walls. The entire top of the house is covered with terraces, observatories for the inhabitants and gardens for sculptures, medicinal plants and edible herbs.
Visit the website of architect Marcio Kogan here.
Photos: Nelson Kon
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Paradise-like vacation retreat in St. Bart’s
The newly renovated Villa DKD is a hidden treasure tucked away in the desirable tropical enclave of Pointe Milou, in St. Barth’s, spotted on Luxury Retreats. The stunning luxury retreat offers ocean views from three sides of the house, a sweeping wooden deck surrounding a 13-meter pool that seems to run into the sea, and privacy so that the only outside noises evident are breezes through the palm trees.
The vacation villa is designed to open to the outside, taking full advantage of ocean views from all parts. With one area of the house flowing naturally into the other, the layout in a compact space creates many opportunities for comfortable living, aided by touches such as designer furnishings and interior and exterior colors custom-created.
Guests can choose between two separate dining areas. And they can relax for cocktails at sunset in the wooden gazebo below the pool. The living room features a plush sofa, chaise and chairs in white duck fabric. A tiny office runs off the living room. With an 11foot ceiling, rattan couch and chairs, the sunroom has an “outdoor feel” that is a wonderful place to eat at a long wood table.
The house continues up the hillside to the kitchen/dining area and more dramatic views. Next to the kitchen island, in its own space, a white polyethylene table makes another cozy place to dine. The shade porch extends right out from here, its canvas awning and big outdoor bed invites guests to pick up a book or get lost in the view.
The two air-conditioned bedrooms, with en-suite bathrooms, are equal master suites, with custom-designed, king-size beds and closet units, and crisp white linens. Sliding doors open to decks overlooking the sea. The bathrooms boast twin sinks and showers, and 100% cotton robes exclusively designed for Villa DKD.
A week at Villa DKD costs from between $5,900 to $14,700/week from here.
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Lidingö Island home features fabulous interiors
On the beautiful island of Lidingö, Sweden lays this fabulous property with uncompromising beauty designed by architect Thomas Sandell. Discovered on ESNY, this two storey home offers a splendid terrace and gorgeous views over the water. The three-bedroom home offers a very well though-out and executed design plan with open interior spaces and large glass partitions that maximizes light and sea views. The 1,550 square foot (144 square meters) residence is modern and environmentally conscious, with sophisticated technical solutions to reduce maintenance and operating costs.
The lower level features dark tile floors, generous hallway space and plenty of storage featuring built-in wardrobes with sliding doors and mirrored glass. A fabulous newly renovated kitchen is spacious enough for entertaining large groups. The kitchen is designed with white washed cabinets and stainless steel appliances with a separate breakfast nook. The kitchen opens up to the magnificent main living area which is dominated by high ceilings and a large window wall, terrace, as well as the beautiful fireplace. The spacious terrace offers southerly light with inviting views over the Boat Harbor and Gulf. There is also a dining room which could be converted into a fourth bedroom.
The upper level features a staircase in solid oak with recessed lighting upstairs which meets a clever design of longitudinal built-in storage cabinets. There are two beautiful bedrooms and a master bedroom which has glass views down towards the main living area and against the port. There is a combined bathroom and laundry space with bright mosaics on the floors and walls. The spacious bathroom features a bathtub and twin pedestal sinks, separate water closet as well as plenty of natural light through the window.
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Beautiful summer cottage retreat on Skåtøy Island
The Summer House Skåtøy, designed by studio Filter Arkiteketer, consists of a lovely summer cottage located on an island, South coast of Norway. The request of the client was for the architects to create a retreat that opens up towards the archipelago, while maintaining private outdoor areas. Here is a description of the project from the architects, “the starting point was an existing cottage from around 1940, damaged by dry rot. The new project is built on the footprint of this old cottage. The topography of the site is reflected in the section as two volumes; one volume containing a “sleeping cabin” (a sleeping area) cutting into another elongated volume containing the living and dining areas. These volumes create private outdoor space on the upper level connected to private outdoor space on the lower level. The Client wanted a maintenance free summer house. This resulted in a building clad in untreated timber, dry stone walls and sedum on the roof.”
Visit the website of studio Filter Arkiteketer here.
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Exceptional Sea View Villa in Phuket
Sea View Villa is a three-storey home nestled on a gentle hillside on the west coast of Phuket, overlooking the pristine Andaman Sea, this stunning property is located within a five star private resort and enjoys breathtaking sea views and sunsets. Comprised of 8,546 square feet (794 square meters), the stylish yet comfortable interior design effortlessly blends traditional Thai elements with modern facilities to provide a completely relaxing living experience. The spacious five bedrooms are accompanied by equally luxurious en suite bathrooms, while the dining and living areas open onto the pool terrace, seamlessly merging interior and exterior living. Additional features include the private infinity pool (in addition to a 400 square meters communal pool), twin salas, barbecue and fully equipped bar area, spa room, gentleman’s sport bar and double maid’s quarters for staff.
This stunning property is listed at $9,079,000 from here.
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A tropical vacation getaway in the Caribbean
Spectacular views over the Caribbean and breathtaking sunsets can be enjoyed from the terraces and balconies of Villa Kas Dorrie on the island of Bonaire, The Netherlands. This majestic oceanfront villa features a modern kitchen, open air living room with panoramic views of the sea and four bedrooms and four bathrooms and two half baths, one on each floor. The home has been designed by the famous Dutch designer Piet Boon. The natural materials used throughout this house give it a robust and open character. The tropical courtyard garden and magnificent high ‘open’ ceilings make this home very unique. There is also a swimming pool and wooden deck with lounge beds and lounge chairs, two gazebos on the sea and an open air kitchen with fridge, dishwasher, BBQ and grill. Discover a natural haven of luxurious tranquility and stylish relaxation that this perfect getaway has to offer.
This extraordinary vacation rental can be all yours for $12,000 per week from here.
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Fabulous modern island home in Bonaire
The Bonaire House has been designed by Silberstein Architecture and is located on the Caribbean island of Bonaire, The Netherlands. The home has three bedrooms, each, with their own private bathroom, one bedroom with its own private bathroom accessible from the exterior of the house, a study/TV room also with its own full bath to allow for future conversion into bedroom, living room, dining- room, kitchen , one car garage, a pool, spa and dock for boats and jet skis. One-third of acre of the site lies at end of a cul-de-sac and is sandwiched between two double story residences. The depth of the property runs northeast to southwest, perfectly aligned with the local trade winds. The outline of the house and location of rooms are influenced by: the close proximity of adjacent homes, predominant wind direction, and water views.
The interior of this home is chalk full of beautiful delights. An infinity pool on a glorious, attractive patio-like area is a beautiful piece of modern, serene and luxurious architecture, fit for any client. The furnishings of this patio-area also fit in perfectly with its surroundings, especially in terms of the pristine white colors. Inside, the house is a spacious, beautiful, contemporary and lavish home. White and black are used mainly in terms of the materials, but this is juxtaposed with the bright colors such as green and orange used for the furnishings, which are as comfortable as they are strikingly attractive. Even the staircase area is a beautiful piece of thoughtful, well-executed architecture. Surrounded in a blue tint, the sleek wooden material used throughout the house is also used for the brilliant staircase. Via
Visit the website of Silberstein Architecture here.
Photos: Robin Hill Photography
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Sleek and stylish retreat on Santorini
Villa Fabrica has been converted from an old winery into two totally separate and private villas, the Canava and the main villa, which can be rented either separately or together. Located just underneath the historical Venetian Castle of Pyrgos, the restoration project took years of meticulous research and understanding of traditional Santorini architecture, designed by Greek architect Yannis Kaklamanis. With its minimal loft-style design, large spaces and use of old style polished cement and eco-friendly materials; the result is a spectacular retreat, ideal for a special occasion or reunion of family or group of friends. The beautiful white-washed village of Pyrgos is one of the prettiest places on the island, built around the remains of the Castle, in a charming mixture of winding lanes and churches with distinctive blue domes.
The Canava sleeps 4 – 6 people, while the main villa consists of three apartments, each with its own entrance leading from the communal central courtyard. The floors have been created by a local craftsman, who mixed colors and cement to create the beautiful matte finish surfaces throughout, while high ceilings allow for much natural light. The rooms open to generous outdoor spaces, including two impressive pool terraces, a main pool and sunset terrace pool, and outdoor dining terraces.
This beautiful vacation home can be rented from USD $ 893 – $ 3516 per night from here.
Charming holiday house on the sea