People have a special fascination with luxury homes, and we totally get that. It’s not only because of their unique architecture, state-of-the-art amenities, and beautifully landscaped backyards; it is the whole idea that people can enjoy a plush environment every single day of their lives.
Homes are not only buildings, they represent experiences. And when those experiences involve waking up to breathtaking ocean views, or retreating to a personal five-star-hotel-grade spa, that’s when a house becomes a dream home.
Whether you need a little inspiration for your own home, or you just love browsing luxury properties for the sake of it, we’ve put together a collection that is bound to impress you. Because there is always at least one thing about every expensive house that you see which speaks directly to your heart.
Wickford Drive Residence in Houston, Texas
This beauty first got our attention last year when it went on the market with the prohibitive asking price of $5.1 million. Built in the center of a 0.64-acre plot, it offers 10,211 square feet of lavishly appointed spaces. The exterior is contemporary and quite minimalist, but the interiors flaunt a combination of modern and classic elements that give it a unique character.
As luxury homes go, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms is generous enough to accommodate a large group of family and friends: there are seven bedrooms and six full bathrooms in the house. The gourmet kitchen, elegant dining room, and various social areas add extra appeal, as do the two-level walk-in wardrobe, the wine cellar, the gym, and the tranquil library.
Floor-to-ceiling windows bring natural light into every room of the house, while framing beautiful views of the perfectly-manicured back yard. The outdoor spaces invite to relaxation and fun with the light-blue swimming pool, comfortable loungers, and a green lawn. The connection between indoors and outdoors is strong, as the ground level is almost entirely open towards the yard.
Sunset Strip Luxury Home by Studio In-Ex
These are the kind of wonders that you can expect to come across when you start looking for really expensive houses for sale. With 12,530 square feet of space for the owners, and enough room for their eight cars, this is one stunning home indeed. Its location on the fabled Sunset Strip in Hollywood, California, with breathtaking views of the vast cityscape, makes it even more irresistible.
It has a total of five bedrooms and ten bathrooms, inviting socialization areas, and lots of space for outdoor relaxation and fun. All three levels of the residence are tastefully furnished and decorated – some of the art pieces were sourced from the Michael Khon Gallery. Top-notch appliances and modern technologies considerably up the comfort levels for owners and guests alike.
The luxurious master suite is situated on the top floor, taking full advantage of the distant views. There is also a gym, a home theater, a wine cellar, and a massage room in the house, so people don’t really have to leave the property to do all the things they enjoy the most. The outdoor kitchen and pool area complete the menu for a well-rounded luxury experience. When the residence hit the market last spring, it had an absolutely justifiable asking price of $38 million.
Gorgeous Mediterranean Villa in Nashville
Judging by its amenities and level of luxury, you would expect this to be a much more expensive house than it is. At only $4.9 million, this residence offers luxury resort living standards, with stunning outdoor spaces and superb interiors. It is a Mediterranean-style villa built in 2008 on a 2-acre lot in Nashville, Tennessee.
With a total of 10,075 square feet of living space, it has four bedrooms, five full bathrooms, and three more half ones. Every nook and corner exudes elegance and good taste: Venetian plastered walls, plank hardwood floors and wrought iron railings are just some of the fine materials used throughout the house.
While the spectacular staircases represent the sophisticated way to the upper floor, an elevator is also there for an effortless ride up. For entertainment, relaxation or socialization, the villa boasts a state-of-the-art home theater, a fully-equipped gym, a spa, an outdoor swimming pool and a complementary outdoor kitchen.
Gross-Flasz Residence on Harbor Island, Florida
One d+b Miami designed this stunning single-story, 8,072-square-foot residence on a fixed budget. You wouldn’t guess that by the looks of it, though. The architects did an excellent job with this minimalist home by infusing just the right amount of luxury into it to make it perfectly covetable. Open, luminous and serene, the house adapts to the site restrictions and turns them to its advantage.
The superb harbor views inspired the openness of the residence, as well as the seamless indoor-outdoor transitions. For privacy, the bedrooms were placed at the rear of the plot. The core of the building holds the large socialization and entertainment spaces, which lead directly onto the outdoor pool area that overlooks the harbor. The master suite is also connected to the beautiful backyard.
An interior courtyard ensures plenty of natural light to the rooms that are situated towards the rear end of the residence, so that everyone inside can enjoy a sense of connection with the outdoors. While not the most extravagant of homes, the Gross-Flasz Residence is an excellent example of tasteful and understated luxury properties.
House of the Infinite in Cadiz, Spain
The 9,687 square feet of space that the House of the Infinite has to offer are clearly far from infinite, but that’s obviously not the idea behind this remarkable project by Alberto Campo Baeza. Built in 2014, this is one of the best minimalist private residences we’ve seen so far. It boasts a clean design based on superposed rectangular volumes, and it offers unobstructed views of the Atlantic.
Given the plot’s proximity to the ocean, the building materials had to be carefully chosen to withstand the challenges of the local humid weather. Keeping thing beautifully simple, the architects placed the swimming pool on the roof and didn’t add any unnecessary frills, so that it could naturally integrate into the minimalist design of the house. The same basic design can be found inside the house as well, for a satisfying sense of continuity.
The Exquisite Villa Modern in Belgium
Probably our favorite thing about this remarkable private luxury villa is the element of surprise. Because of its rather traditional exterior, no one really expects to discover such a refreshing contemporary design on the inside. In addition to that, every space and room has different surprises to offer, in the form of bright pops of color, eye-catching works of modern art, or unique pieces of furniture that are full of character and visual appeal. Going from one room to the next is virtually a journey of discovery.
There is an inviting reception area on the ground floor, which conveniently opens towards the garden. Also on this level there are two offices and a beautiful Obumex kitchen. The master bedroom is situated on the first floor and boasts two dressing rooms, as well as a large bathroom. Other highlights include the indoor swimming pool, the meditation and relaxation area with fireplace, and the two-level garage with elevator.
Contemporary Jiyeh Villa in Lebanon
This wonderful contemporary home in Jiyeh, Lebanon was designed by Accent Design Group. It is situated on a sloping site with an unhindered sea view – two features of which the architects took full advantage. By building the house into the gentle elevation of the plot, they managed to ensure complete privacy in the areas where it was most required, while also keeping the residence refreshingly open towards the sea.
The project is composed of four different volumes which have distinct functionalities, yet are effectively connected for seamless transitions throughout the house. The cantilevering terrace holds a swimming pool and has plenty of space for lounging in the sun or partying under the moonlight. It also plays an important role in leading the eyes towards the distant horizon, where the sea seems to merge with the sky. Minimalist both inside and outside, the residence is an excellent example of modern architecture.
