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
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.
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.
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.
Do you crave solitude? This home above the rocks in Cedar Bluff, Massachusetts, evokes a sense of seclusion, peace and quiet.
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.
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.
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
See more of this Lake Tahoe getaway
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
See inside this tree house
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.
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.
What a lovely home in the Vermont countryside. The photographer did a wonderful job framing the view of this house.
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.
Is your dream home all sleek design with a luxury car parked in front? And is it in Bali, like this one?
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.
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
See more of this Virginia farmhouse
Do you want to be able to see for miles around? Then a tower house might just be the perfect place for you.
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.
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.
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.
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?
See more of this home
Tell me about your dream home. Would it be any of these?