6 Shockingly Beautiful Houses to Drool Over

A girl can dream, can't she? Here are six beautiful houses that will dare you to dream big.

What’s the first thing most people would buy if they had a lot of money? Usually the first thought that comes to mind is they’d buy a house. And who can blame them? Homes are not cheap, and for many of us, we’re often stuck renting a tiny apartment and only dreaming of a large house with multiple bedrooms and a fenced-in backyard.

But what if you had all the money in the world to design your dream house? What would it feature? Would it be inspired by the castles of Europe, perhaps? Or something more modern? Would you want to be on a beach, or maybe somewhere in the mountains? Whether you dream of a ski lodge in Aspen or a castle in Scotland, we have you covered with these beautiful homes to drool over.

Biltmore Estate, Asheville, NC

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Today, the Biltmore is a tourist attraction as well as a private estate.

The main house was built by George Vanderbilt in the 1890s. It also happens to be the largest privately owned house in the United States with a whopping 178,926 square feet. There are four acres of floor space, and a total of 250 rooms incuding 33 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms, 65 fireplaces and three kitchens.

Not only is it large, it also stands as one of the most prominent examples of the Gilded Age. There are still 19th century novelties included in the house such as electric elevators, centrally controlled clocks, forced-air heat and even an old-fashioned intercom system.

Some of the beautiful features of this home include the sunken Winter Garden, which is surrouned by stone archways, and a centerpiece fountain made of marble and bronze.

The grand staircase that leads upstairs has 102 steps, spiraling around a four-story chandelier. And that’s only the beginning. It’s no wonder so many people flock to see this gorgeous home each year.

Fallingwater, Mill Run, PA

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A list of beautiful homes wouldn’t be complete without a house designed by legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright. A large part of the appeal of Fallingwater is that it’s built partially over an actual waterfall.

We’re not the only ones who find this house to be stunning, either. Time magazine has said that Fallingwater is one of Wright’s most beautiful jobs, and the American Institute of Architects named it the best all-time work of an American architect.

While Fallingwater is open to the public, it was a family’s weekend home from 1937 until 1963 when it was donated to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.

Acqua Liana, Palm Beach County, Fl

Acqua Liana Palm Beach County

Who wouldn’t love a stunning mansion on the beach?

Acqua Liana isn’t just any beachhouse though; it’s also an eco-house, meaning the home was designed to be as environmentally friendly as possible. But don’t worry, architect Frank McKinney didn’t spare any luxury even while designing the home to be green.

The mansion sits on 1.6 acres and is 15,071 square feet, but while that may seem to contradict the whole environmentally-friendly aspect, don’t fret. The house is certified to the strict standards set forth by the U.S Green Building Council.

Acqua Liana features, along with everything else, a stunning glass “water floor” and hand-painted tiles with a Lotus garden design lit up below the surface. Other features of the house include an oceanfront Koa-wood kitchen, an oceanview office with a glass wall, 7 bedrooms, 11 bathrooms, 2 glass elevators and a dining room that opens onto the pool. One interesting feature is that the garage has windows that peer into the swimming pool.

The home runs mostly on solar panels and rainwater is caught on the roof to irrigate the landscape and water the garden—and that’s only the beginning of the eco-friendly features that this home boasts.

Dar al-Hajar, Yemen

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Dar al-Hajar isn’t called “The Rock Palace” for nothing.

The mansion, which was the royal palace for Yahya Muhammad Hamid ed-Din (1869-1948), is built on top of a rock, appearing almost to be built from the very stone it sits upon. The home has been restored, and now acts as a museum of sorts.

If you decide to visit the palace, there’s plenty to see in the five-story building. There’re lots of rooms and staircases, both big and small, that seem to take you in circles.

You don’t need to venture inside to be amazed by the beauty of this home though. Just walking around outside allows you to respect the Yemeni architecture, including the takhrim windows and beautiful outdoor areas.

Hala Ranch, Aspen, Co

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In a town like Aspen, you would expect nothing less than a cozy ski chateau. However, when it comes to the rich and famous, cozy takes on a whole new meaning.

The Hala Ranch is a 95-acre estate that was owned by Prince Bandar bin Sultan. As one might expect from royalty, Forbes has ranked Hala Ranch as the most expensive home in the United States.

The home is 56,000 square feet and features amenities one would expect for a Saudi Prince. The home is built in a rustic style, which includes massive timber beans and stone columns, and contains 15 bedrooms and 16 bathrooms.

The inside is appointed with mahogany and bronze as well as stained glass windows. There’re also cross-country ski trails on the property, making it it’s own little ski resort.

And to think, the prince only visits the property about three times a year. What a shame, isn’t it?

Balmoral Castle, Scotland

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Speaking of royalty, you wouldn’t expect an article on beautiful homes not to feature a castle, would you? Balmoral Castle in Scotland is one of the residences of the British Royal Family and has been since 1852. It is still one of the Queen’s private residences, but the gardens are open to the public after her annual stay, and the only interior part of the castle that’s open to the public is the ballroom.

The castle is a working estate, including grouse moors, forestry, farmland and a distillery with around 150 people employed on the premises.

So what are the features you desire in a house? Any of the above sound absolutely perfect for you, or perhaps they’re all a little too large for your liking? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

About the author

Kristen Duvall

Kristen is a writer of tales both real and make-believe. A Midwestern girl at heart, she currently resides in Southern California with her boyfriend, a Great Dane, and two rescued kitties, one of which is known simply as the KiKi Monster.

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