How about this then? Just for starters. Not bad is it? It’s the Dome House in Bowness-on-Windermere, that’ll be the Lake District for those reading on a different continent. It’s on the market with Scott Bainbridge for £2.3 million.
It was, apparently, featured on Grand Designs – I don’t remember this one but Kevin McCloud describes it as impressive and awe-inspiring in his book of the same name so I guess it must have been. And once again it raises the question of why so many of the houses that are featured, and presumably built as dream homes (I’ve got enough trouble with one loft never mind building a whole house) end up being sold. I do worry that building a house breaks people.
Anyway, ours is not reason and all that. We’re just here for a gawp and this house is quite gawpworthy. That ceiling is a work of art and look at those pink windows. Perhaps it was the constant viewing of the building process through rose-tinted glasses. Sorry couldn’t resist.
It’s on three floors, with a lap pool, galleries, loadsa bedrooms, panoramic views – all that. Click on the link above for a more detailed browse. It’s a great space, I’d live in it.
Slight change of scene this week. We’re not buying, we’re dreaming holidays – especially as the weather has been so appalling recently. I celebrated the 1st of June by switching the heating back on and digging out a cashmere jumper…
So this holiday rental featured on The Modern House is what’s floating my boat this week. It’s in France, in Bargemon about 80km from Nice. I love that picture above, it’s like a painting isn’t it.
You can rent this from £2,200 a week and it sleeps eight. It was designed and built by Edward and Margot Jones in 2003 as a holiday house and the design responds directly to the man-made topography of stepped terraces formed by dry stonewalls. As a founding member of the practice Dixon Jones, Edward Jones has been involved in the design of the Royal Opera House and the National Portrait Gallery extension, as well as the masterplan for the National Gallery.
I could definitely imagine lounging about here for a couple of weeks. Did I mention the pool, the 60ft shady pergola, the table tennis, croquet and DVD projector. And you’re in prime rosé country too…
Finally, I couldn’t resist this one either. It’s a houseboat that sleeps a family of four moored about 15 minutes away from the centre of Berlin. This would be a cool place to stay for a weekend city break wouldn’t it? It costs from around £1,050 a week but they’re happy to let it for three days and it’s also for sale (see The Modern House for details).
On a sunny day, which it clearly wasn’t when these pictures were taken, that would be a lovely place for a leisurely breakfast. And I’ll leave you with another arty, moody night time shot. Because I’m nice like that.
Have a lovely weekend, if you’re an occasional visitor. To the others – I’ll see you tomorrow.
I remember the Dome House on GD. Those folks put blood, sweat and tears into it and were just about to have the bank call in the loan/mortgage when some anonymous viewer gave then a large loan, so they could finish the house and hang on to it! Personally, I’d only build a house like that if I was going to live in it for the rest of my days, so I often wonder what’s happened down the track. Anyway, it’s a great house and when I become a best-selling novelist and return to the UK, I’ll have a look at it…well, that’s my dream. Thanks for sharing all these, Kate – honestly I so look forward to the Friday post!
Is it wrong that the Berlin houseboat reminds me of the house is Sleepless in Seattle…? 🙂
Hi there, I regularly check into your blog and couldn’t believe it when I saw the Dome House. We stayed there two years ago for a few days and it was truly lovely……. The building, styling and the view were just amazing and little touches like the hamper of home made goodies for breakfast and snacks… Such a shame they are selling, we would have definitely revisited it again. Have a great Friday!