Houzz Tours
25 Most Bookmarked Houzz Tours of 2012
Brimming with design solutions, creative layouts and memorable architectural touches, these homes topped the interest charts this year
What do a Northwest garage, a Pennsylvania "hobbit house" and a rustic French cottage have in common? Not much, at first glance. But these amazing homes make up a few of the top Houzz Tours that readers considered worthy of bookmarking this past year. While all of these houses are beautiful in their own right, each presents one-of-a-kind solutions to design problems that Houzzers wanted to refer to again and again.
Take a look at the top 25 bookmarked Houzz Tours of 2012 — maybe you'll find the solution to your latest design dilemma.
Take a look at the top 25 bookmarked Houzz Tours of 2012 — maybe you'll find the solution to your latest design dilemma.
2. A Hilltop Family Home in Santa Cruz
The cozy and comfortable livability of this beach-town home in California had many Houzzers wanting to move right in. Plenty of natural light, international influences, a family-oriented design and classic architecture made it particularly memorable to readers.
The cozy and comfortable livability of this beach-town home in California had many Houzzers wanting to move right in. Plenty of natural light, international influences, a family-oriented design and classic architecture made it particularly memorable to readers.
3. A Manhattan Studio Opens to Flexibility
It has small-space solutions galore, and the creative layout of this tiny New York City apartment uses every inch of space — a foldout bed and modern built-in storage encouraged Houzzers to bring the same smart ideas to their homes.
It has small-space solutions galore, and the creative layout of this tiny New York City apartment uses every inch of space — a foldout bed and modern built-in storage encouraged Houzzers to bring the same smart ideas to their homes.
4. 'Hobbit House' in the Pennsylvania Countryside
Inspired by the quirky hobbit dwellings in J.R.R. Tolkien's books, this incredible home in Pennsylvania embraces the fantasy of these stories but brings it into a practical realm for the family who owns it.
Inspired by the quirky hobbit dwellings in J.R.R. Tolkien's books, this incredible home in Pennsylvania embraces the fantasy of these stories but brings it into a practical realm for the family who owns it.
5. Transparency Guides a Woodland Home
Set in the middle of a deeply wooded 4-acre plot of land, this remodeled Washington home was opened up to take full advantage of limited natural light and its stunning forested surroundings. Keeping sustainability in mind, the designers respected its setting while staying true to the original architecture.
Set in the middle of a deeply wooded 4-acre plot of land, this remodeled Washington home was opened up to take full advantage of limited natural light and its stunning forested surroundings. Keeping sustainability in mind, the designers respected its setting while staying true to the original architecture.
6. An Antique Cape Cod House Explodes With Color
This crazy colorful Cape Cod, Massachusetts, home was so chock-full of DIY ideas, Houzzers couldn't help but bookmark it. One of their favorites? The amazing wall covering in this photo that homeowner Kristin Nicholas made by hand cutting, painting and layering shapes made from FedEx boxes.
This crazy colorful Cape Cod, Massachusetts, home was so chock-full of DIY ideas, Houzzers couldn't help but bookmark it. One of their favorites? The amazing wall covering in this photo that homeowner Kristin Nicholas made by hand cutting, painting and layering shapes made from FedEx boxes.
7. A Three-Story Barn Becomes a Modern-Home Beauty
Once a dairy barn, later a dairy distribution center and even a host to art studios and galleries, this Chicago building has had its fair share of residents. But its diverse history only served as inspiration for this eclectic remodel. Now a stunning residence, the modern structure still pays tribute to its roots.
Once a dairy barn, later a dairy distribution center and even a host to art studios and galleries, this Chicago building has had its fair share of residents. But its diverse history only served as inspiration for this eclectic remodel. Now a stunning residence, the modern structure still pays tribute to its roots.
8. Elegant, Efficient Manhattan Studio
While space in this apartment was limited, its main problem was the complete lack of spatial organization. Houzzers bookmarked this home for its clever built-in solutions, combined office and living space, and clean design. The newly efficient home manages to feel practical but luxurious — something many homes strive for.
While space in this apartment was limited, its main problem was the complete lack of spatial organization. Houzzers bookmarked this home for its clever built-in solutions, combined office and living space, and clean design. The newly efficient home manages to feel practical but luxurious — something many homes strive for.
9. Fairy Tale Gatehouse in Minnesota
At first glance this home looks more like a set from Hansel and Gretel than a guesthouse in Minnesota. Houzzers loved the inspiration the designer took from cottages in France and England, integrating old-world materials and styles into a timeless and fresh-feeling home.
At first glance this home looks more like a set from Hansel and Gretel than a guesthouse in Minnesota. Houzzers loved the inspiration the designer took from cottages in France and England, integrating old-world materials and styles into a timeless and fresh-feeling home.
10. A Frank Lloyd Wright Home, Lovingly Restored
More than 15 years of careful restoration have gone into this amazing Frank Lloyd Wright home in Ohio. With all of the key Usonian influences maintained, this house echoes many of the principles that Wright brought into his homes. Warm woods, nature's consistent presence and a triangle-based floor plan made this story worth bookmarking.
More than 15 years of careful restoration have gone into this amazing Frank Lloyd Wright home in Ohio. With all of the key Usonian influences maintained, this house echoes many of the principles that Wright brought into his homes. Warm woods, nature's consistent presence and a triangle-based floor plan made this story worth bookmarking.
11. A Chicago Loft Rises to the Rafters
This project combined two spacious Chicago loft apartments into one stunning space. Although the new design has a modern feel, the original exposed rafters and ductwork maintain its old-school loft style. Houzzers couldn't get enough of the beautiful wood finishes or the amazing view.
This project combined two spacious Chicago loft apartments into one stunning space. Although the new design has a modern feel, the original exposed rafters and ductwork maintain its old-school loft style. Houzzers couldn't get enough of the beautiful wood finishes or the amazing view.
12. An Orange County Ranch Gets Into the Swing of Things
Even without a new footprint, this Southern California home managed to get an entirely new look. The owners gave this formerly bland ranch house a midcentury modern facelift, creating clean, open spaces and a new low-maintenance courtyard and patio.
Even without a new footprint, this Southern California home managed to get an entirely new look. The owners gave this formerly bland ranch house a midcentury modern facelift, creating clean, open spaces and a new low-maintenance courtyard and patio.
13. Under a Metal Canopy in Texas
A 60- by 80-foot metal canopy more than doubles this Texas home's outdoor living space. Houzzers loved the seamless transition from the indoors to the outdoors that this canopy offers, as well as the genius disappearing garage door, quirky shower tile and other colorful reclaimed features.
A 60- by 80-foot metal canopy more than doubles this Texas home's outdoor living space. Houzzers loved the seamless transition from the indoors to the outdoors that this canopy offers, as well as the genius disappearing garage door, quirky shower tile and other colorful reclaimed features.
14. A Luxurious Home Embraces the Landscape
A setting as stunning as the beautiful Santa Barbara hills almost forces its presence into a home. The owners of this hillside home wanted to give the outdoors easy entry, and that meant using floor-to-ceiling windows and eliminating all obstructions to their panoramic view.
A setting as stunning as the beautiful Santa Barbara hills almost forces its presence into a home. The owners of this hillside home wanted to give the outdoors easy entry, and that meant using floor-to-ceiling windows and eliminating all obstructions to their panoramic view.
15. A Barn House Welcomes Weekenders
Houzzers loved the entertainment-friendly style of this upstate New York barn house. A covered screened porch, a pool and plenty of backyard space beg to be used by family and friends. Smart spatial decisions — like allotting square footage to group gathering spaces — made this beautiful space even more noteworthy.
Houzzers loved the entertainment-friendly style of this upstate New York barn house. A covered screened porch, a pool and plenty of backyard space beg to be used by family and friends. Smart spatial decisions — like allotting square footage to group gathering spaces — made this beautiful space even more noteworthy.
16. A Family Home Grows and Gets a New Face
The soft palette and elegant interior of this Northern California home made it seem livable but refined to Houzz readers. The clients, a growing family, bought this home with the intention of updating its style and adding to its square footage. The architectural updates and light-filled spaces made each of the rooms a treat to see.
The soft palette and elegant interior of this Northern California home made it seem livable but refined to Houzz readers. The clients, a growing family, bought this home with the intention of updating its style and adding to its square footage. The architectural updates and light-filled spaces made each of the rooms a treat to see.
17. Outstanding Ecofriendliness With a Contemporary Bent
Formerly an abandoned building, this ecofriendly home became the first single-family home aiming for platinum LEED certification in Montreal. From top to bottom, the warm and energy-efficient home makes use of every form of green technology imaginable — including geothermal heating, local materials, VOC-free finishes and recycled wood.
Formerly an abandoned building, this ecofriendly home became the first single-family home aiming for platinum LEED certification in Montreal. From top to bottom, the warm and energy-efficient home makes use of every form of green technology imaginable — including geothermal heating, local materials, VOC-free finishes and recycled wood.
18. Bright, Rustic Cottage in France
Like something out of a fairy tale, this French cottage — called La Maisonnette — spoke to the romantic side of Houzz readers. They couldn't get enough of this dream home's stone walls, castle views and cozy interiors.
Like something out of a fairy tale, this French cottage — called La Maisonnette — spoke to the romantic side of Houzz readers. They couldn't get enough of this dream home's stone walls, castle views and cozy interiors.
19. Charming, Rustic Lakefront Cabin in Minnesota
Although it's essentially a new build, this house has bones that give it a timeless feel. A unique mix of stained wood, natural pine and other rustic materials give the interior depth, while the log-sided exterior honors traditional cabins in the area.
Although it's essentially a new build, this house has bones that give it a timeless feel. A unique mix of stained wood, natural pine and other rustic materials give the interior depth, while the log-sided exterior honors traditional cabins in the area.
20. Industrial Minihouse in Seattle
Once a tiny garage with nothing more than the basics, this tiny structure was remodeled to become a comfortable full-time residence. The footprint of the original 250-square-foot structure remains the same — with the exception of a bathroom — but the look couldn't be more different. Clean finishes, industrial undertones and a modern palette gave this small space new life.
Once a tiny garage with nothing more than the basics, this tiny structure was remodeled to become a comfortable full-time residence. The footprint of the original 250-square-foot structure remains the same — with the exception of a bathroom — but the look couldn't be more different. Clean finishes, industrial undertones and a modern palette gave this small space new life.
21. Rustic Cabin With Dive-In Pond
Designed to look like an old, rustic cabin, this brand-new build in Montana is actually a platinum LEED-certified home. Set on the shores of a pristine lake, the beautiful space has a man-made 20-foot diving pond right out front — carefully designed to stay separate from the natural watershed.
Designed to look like an old, rustic cabin, this brand-new build in Montana is actually a platinum LEED-certified home. Set on the shores of a pristine lake, the beautiful space has a man-made 20-foot diving pond right out front — carefully designed to stay separate from the natural watershed.
22. A Basic Builder Home Gets the Glam Treatment
The blank canvas of a builder home felt inspiring — not daunting — to this home's owner, a designer. The resulting colorful blend of textures and materials inspired Houzz users, who bookmarked this stylish home for its affordable ideas and unique room flow.
The blank canvas of a builder home felt inspiring — not daunting — to this home's owner, a designer. The resulting colorful blend of textures and materials inspired Houzz users, who bookmarked this stylish home for its affordable ideas and unique room flow.
23. A Desert Stunner Highlights Nature
This dream retirement home for a couple with a big family makes good use of its desert environment. Not only does the design mimic the environment's color palette, the site slope and the surrounding materials, but solar panels generate electricity to heat the pool.
This dream retirement home for a couple with a big family makes good use of its desert environment. Not only does the design mimic the environment's color palette, the site slope and the surrounding materials, but solar panels generate electricity to heat the pool.
24. English Cottage Style Graces a Home Bathed in Light
Although it's set in a Chicago suburb, this new home captures the historic and quaint feel of an English cottage. Wrought iron, draping ivy and wicker furniture give the indoor and outdoor spaces a lived-in feel. The architect chose materials with patina for the kitchen, adding to the home's timeless look.
Although it's set in a Chicago suburb, this new home captures the historic and quaint feel of an English cottage. Wrought iron, draping ivy and wicker furniture give the indoor and outdoor spaces a lived-in feel. The architect chose materials with patina for the kitchen, adding to the home's timeless look.
25. Tree House Living Inspires Southern Home
A surrounding live oak grove inspired this home's tree house feel. With clear views out to the marsh below, this home's open windows and layout connect to the outdoors on multiple levels. Among other features, the amazing hot tub shown here — which extends out over the edge of the house — really got Houzzers talking.
Tell us: Which is your favorite home on Houzz?
A surrounding live oak grove inspired this home's tree house feel. With clear views out to the marsh below, this home's open windows and layout connect to the outdoors on multiple levels. Among other features, the amazing hot tub shown here — which extends out over the edge of the house — really got Houzzers talking.
Tell us: Which is your favorite home on Houzz?
It's easy to see why Houzz readers loved this beautiful home in Oregon. The small-space solutions, ecofriendly undertones and warm cottage style could translate to any new home or remodel.