Five Famous Homes from Around the World
Firstly, what makes famous houses and estates worthy of their prestige? It’s simple: they’ve mastered the art of curb appeal by capturing our attention at first glance. Painstakingly designed, maintained, and restored, home enthusiasts can find inspiration for their own improvement projects in these much-loved marvels.
Anne Hathaway Cottage – Stratford-Upon-Avon
It’s easy to see why this 600-year-old cottage, located in the hamlet of Shottery. It attracts thousands foreign and domestic visitors each year. The childhood home of Shakespeare’s wife has influenced so many people. Replicas have even been built in Australia, Canada, and the United States.
Strolling through the beautifully-maintained herbaceous borders. Take in the scent of flowers and greens that create inspiration for visitors interested in improving their gardens or finally putting in a rustic-chic fence and stone walkway.
Ayers House – Adelaide, South Australia
This colonial Victorian home was crafted for Sir Henry Ayers, Premier of South Australia, who lived in the 40-room mansion from 1855-1897. Today it’s accessible to the public, and serves as a museum and a wedding venue. Ayers House stands out as a striking monument among the modern landscape of Adelaide, and it serves as a treasured piece of history for South Australians.
So, as visitors walk the grey stone path up to the historic site, they are greeted by a lush and perfectly-manicured lawn. At sunset, lampposts and spotlights illuminate the mansion’s gorgeous bluestone bricks. This lavish estate provides endless ideas to onlookers who hope to recreate a sense of Victorian charm in their own homes.
Fallingwater – Pennsylvania, United States
Frank Lloyd Wright designed this architectural wonder as a weekend retreat for Pittsburgh businessman Edgar J. Kaufmann in 1935. Now a National Historic Landmark, Fallingwater, named for the waterfall into which it’s built, has attracted the attention of the public for nearly a century.
So, Since Wright designed Fallingwater to mesh with its surroundings. Nature enthusiasts quickly see the appeal of this sleepy Laurel Highlands haven. In fact, Fallingwater is incorporated so fluidly with the landscape that it provides completely different inspiration depending on the time of year in which it’s viewed.
La Maison de la Reine (The Queen’s House) – Versailles, France
Built as a refuge from court life for Marie Antoinette as a part of her larger “Hameau”, La Maison de la Reine is situated on the edge of a small pond in the Park of Versailles. This two-storey thatch-roofed house borrows from several rural European styles.
As a result, it looks charmingly cobbled together. Upon walking up to La Maison, guests immerse themselves in the illusion of a quiet, bygone era that emboldens them to create a fantasy retreat of their own.
House NA – Tokyo, Japan
While these other homes might hold historical significance, House NA is intriguing for a different reason: it offers its tenants very little privacy. Designed by eccentric architect Sou Fujimoto in 2010, House NA isn’t for everyone. It certainly makes a statement among the drab urban sprawl of Tokyo’s Kōenji District. Fujimoto created this 592 square-metre home with a young couple in mind.
Because the walls are made of glass, the three-storey structure gives the illusion of being a single room. Though most of us enjoy more privacy than House NA grants, it’s still alluring in its stark simplicity. Unforgiving to clutter, it nonetheless speaks to those who are looking to downsize. After all, minimalism is in.
So, What’s your style?
Whether your taste is grand or quaint, ornate or simplistic. It’s easy to see why these homes have had such a lasting impact. From Australia to America, they have rightfully earned their high praise, and will continue to influence homeowners for years to come.
This article has been provided with thanks to Linda Firth, author of the LoveMyVouchers.co.uk Lifestyle blog. Here you will find money saving advice and tips on home and garden products, and much more.
Further Reading:
Anne Hathaway’s Cottage:
https://www.shakespeare.org.uk/visit/anne-hathaways-cottage/
https://www.visitstratforduponavon.co.uk/attractions/anne-hathaways-cottage
Australian replica: https://www.bestlodging.com/sites1/10499/
Canadian replica: https://www.birdsofafeather.ca/attractions/anne-hathaways-cottage
American replicas: https://www.anne-hathaways-cottage.com/
https://www.odessa-tx.gov/Home/Components/BusinessDirectory/BusinessDirectory/613/194
Ayers House:
https://www.ayershousemuseum.org.au/
Fallingwater:
La Maison de la Reine:
https://en.chateauversailles.fr/discover/estate/estate-trianon/queen-hamlet
House NA:
https://www.archdaily.com/230533/house-na-sou-fujimoto-architects
https://www.dezeen.com/2012/05/08/house-na-by-sou-fujimoto-architects/
https://www.worldarchitecturemap.org/buildings/house-na
