Create an ideabook for your next remodeling project!
Browse more than 1,500,000 photos from top designers and save your favorites
25 Dream Homes to Satisfy Your Soul
Whether a grand mansion is your vision or a big-sky cabin calls to your heart, these dream homes can spark your imagination
Houzz Contributor. Pangaea Interior Design is an award winning design firm specializing in residential projects including new construction, remodeling and kitchen & bath design. Pangaea's style is characterized by clean lines and uncluttered interiors that are warm, comfortable, inviting and reflect the personal taste and interests of her clients. Call to schedule your initial consultation and you'll be well on the way to the home of your dreams. 503-.816.4394
Houzz Contributor. Pangaea Interior Design is an award winning design firm... More »
When you think of your dream home, what do you imagine? Is it a mansion or a cabin? Is it in the mountains or on a tropical island? As I look at photos of homes, occasionally one will capture my imagination and I begin to dream about what it would be like to live there. The photos below may not even show the whole house, but each one evokes a feeling and suggests a lifestyle. Kudos to the photographers who have created these images. These pictures go beyond showing architecture to capturing the spirit of these homes.
So, dream with me for a while and see if you can imagine what your life might be like in these 25 homes.
So, dream with me for a while and see if you can imagine what your life might be like in these 25 homes.
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| This photo is the one that inspired this article. This setting, by Lake Fairlee, Vermont, is so tranquil and the style of the home fits in perfectly in the wooded surroundings. I would spend my days lounging on the patio, waiting for deer to wander into the yard in the evening. |
Is the East Coast your ideal place for your dream home? Looking at this home in Boston, I can almost feel the breeze from the sea. Imagine having a lobster dinner out on this patio.
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| Or are you more of a West Coast type? Looking like the prow of a ship, this contemporary San Francisco area home overlooks the Pacific Ocean. I'd spend many evenings here having a glass of wine while watching the sun slip below the horizon. |
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| Do you crave solitude? This home above the rocks in Cedar Bluff, Massachusetts, evokes a sense of seclusion, peace and quiet. |
|
by TEA2 Architects
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| This lovely home in Minnetonka, Minnesota, immediately calls to mind lodges in the mountains. It's that stone lower level with Adirondack chairs on the lawn. Makes me want to play croquet. |
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| Perhaps your dream home has a big yard where the kids and dogs can play. This spacious wraparound porch in Newton, Massachusetts, offers a shady spot where parents can sit and watch the children or wave to the neighbors. |
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| A home near the Lake Tahoe ski slopes could be your perfect spot. I like to ski, but my favorite thing would be sipping a hot chocolate and enjoying the view. See more of this Lake Tahoe getaway |
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| When I was a kid I always wanted a tree house, but I didn't actually build one for myself until I was an adult. Would you love life up among the branches? The thatched roof is a real surprise on this tree house in Athens, Greece. See inside this tree house |
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| A cabin in the Pacific Northwest would appeal to me. This one is on Orcas Island. Would you like island life? |
Are you a city dweller at heart? I've always loved townhomes with stairs down to the sidewalk. It would be great to be able to go down those stairs and have everything you need within walking distance. This home is in San Francisco; one of my favorite cities.
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| If peace and quiet is what you're looking for, how about this home out on a prairie in Eastern Washington? Surrounded by 54 acres of wide-open space, you would hear wind instead of traffic. This is the ultimate peaceful pad. |
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| What a lovely home in the Vermont countryside. The photographer did a wonderful job framing the view of this house. |
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| This home in upstate New York is blessed with a beautiful pond. I can imagine spending my days fishing, and then at night, falling asleep to the sound of frogs. |
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| Is your dream home all sleek design with a luxury car parked in front? And is it in Bali, like this one? |
|
by TEA2 Architects
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| Rolling hills in upstate New York and acres of green pasture create a lovely setting for this home. What a perfect spot for a dinner party. Imagine driving along this winding road, feeling the tensions of the day leave as you get closer to home. |
| Have you always wanted to live on a farm? This lovely collection of stone house and outbuildings in West Chester, Pennsylvania, is one of the prettiest farm settings I've seen. |
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| With acres of grass and two beautiful horses, I could be convinced to take up riding. This farmhouse is in Louisa, Virginia. See more of this Virginia farmhouse |
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
This is very different for a horse property. So modern and minimalist. Forget riding with a saddle here. Bareback would be the way to go.
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| Do you want to be able to see for miles around? Then a tower house might just be the perfect place for you. |
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| Who needs an enormous home in a setting like this? A comfortable deck chair and a good pair of walking shoes would pretty much be all you need. Well, this cabin is in Montana, so you might need a horse too. |
| Enjoying the Vermont winter and having a great spot where your dog can play might be your dream. The choice of peeled logs for the columns and beam of the porch are perfect for a home in the forest. |
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| Do you crave space? This home takes the wide-open space of Texas to an extreme. The master bedroom, living area and guest rooms are three separate buildings connected by walkways. |
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| Would you love to have your own vineyard? So many vineyard estates duplicate the look of Tuscan wineries that the modern architecture of this home is a bit of a surprise. Another surprise is that this vineyard is in Minnesota, not California. |
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
This luxurious home is definitely fit for a movie star. I think I might need a Ferrari to go with it.
| Maybe you don't just want to be near the water, you actually want to be on the water. This is a floating home on Lake Union in Seattle, Washington. The photographer skillfully captured the lit-up Space Needle in the distance and the reflection of lights on the water, a vibrant illustration of the amazing blend of city plus nature that is Seattle. See more of this home Tell me about your dream home. Would it be any of these? |
Ideabook updated on June 17, 2012.
What are you working on?
News From Our Partners
Latest Ideabooks
People found the photos in this ideabook after searching for:
View over a million photos:
basements · bedrooms · dining rooms · entries · family rooms · garage and sheds · halls · home offices · landscapes · laundry rooms · powder rooms · wine cellars and more.
If you're not familiar with the Thai/Balinese style of architecture take a look at our recent Swimming Pools article - there is a home there that is in this beautiful design - http://hometipster.com/stunning-swimming-pool-ideas/ it's the 14th picture down.
Wonderful article - thanks.
hometipster -- Sounds like you have your dream home thoroughly visualized. There is a real power in visualization. As an "assignment" from a life-coach I was working with, I drew my ideal lifestyle -- in crayon! Then tacked up the picture in my studio where I could see it from time to time, but more or less forgot about the picture. A handful of years later, after moving to my current home in Oregon, my husband found the picture and brought it to me. It was almost eerie how accurate the depiction was of my home and surroundings. Best wishes in creating your dream home in Malaysia. I'll keep my eye open for that invitation to the house warming party ;0) Nice roundup of pools in the link you shared. Thank you!
Patscats2 -- it is just perfect, isn't it? Real though. Lots of pix on the architect's profile.
Punkin29 -- ha! Tom Selleck! Now that's some serious visualization.
Funinthekeys -- well, I'd love to help you with that! If you would like some professional guidance through all of those choices, please email me at design@pangaea-id.com and I can share details of how I work with clients across the country.
Carole -- I hear you. Low maintenance is a top priority for my dream home.
Each one of the houses are unique and spell bounding. I especially like the Montana, Vermont, Seattle, houses very much. I like the open spaces and the lakes and the rivers and the mountains. Beautiful. We also live in our so called dream house in India, in a beautiful city called Bangalore, that weather almost like SFO all year round. Take a look at our Spanish Villa, I am sure you would love its simplicity, and natural beauty.
Rama -- thanks for sharing your own dream home. It sounds lovely there.
afm910 -- Manchester, MA
Hideko Pirie -- I understand. But most dreams take awhile to come true. Don't give up.
manji -- :0)
Tenshon -- I think it says you'll have an easier time finding your dream home than most. Yes?
thechelsealynn -- There's something to be said for that. I was born & raised in Seattle until I was 14, but then lived in Southern California for over 30 years. When it came time to find my dream home, not even the allure of eternal sunshine could overcome my desire to be back in the Pacific Northwest.
alibonelli -- Ah, a kindred spirit. I love the minimalism of that one!
ebea -- There you go. It's your dream ... put the house wherever you want. Haven't been to Arkansas, but understand that it is lovely.
Houzz if you come to Detroit you can visit my house! It was designed by Albert Kahn and I feel lucky to live here.
Here's what I'd actually like to hear about. Have you consciously created a home of your dreams? Did you move to an area you'd always loved, maybe having to make sacrifices to get there? Did you downsize to create a home that better fits your lifestyle? If you aren't in your dream home, what would it take for you to feel you finally had it?
@Pangaea Interior Design, Portland, OR I did not intend to detract from discussion on your ideabook. The images are lovely, thanks for putting it together. As for your questions I am living in my Dream House as I love being in a historic neighborhood so close to downtown. I'd like to visit some of these places but I love to live in an urban setting.