Inspiration in the heart of the home

Guilty as charged, I'm one of those people who likes to poke around on marketplace to take a look at the interiors of houses for sale. That's right!

I love to get inspired (or not) by other people's homes and, I must admit, I judge (a little) their design choices, so when I stumbled across the Netflix series "The world's most extraordinary homes", I couldn't wait! Unfortunately, at the time of writing, the show is no longer available on Netflix, but you can listen to most of it here, and some of it in its entirety on YouTube. The show even has its own Instagram and Facebook page. Can you believe the hype?

Pure inspiration

The 2-season series follows architect Piers Taylor and actress Caroline Quentin around the world. Their mission: to discover the most extraordinary homes, but above all, to understand how and why they were built. Not only do the two hosts visit the houses, but even better, they stay overnight, allowing them to really immerse themselves in the soul of these homes and give us privileged access to them. Listening to the hosts talk to the owners and architects, you quickly realize that this isn't (just) a "rich man's trip". These homes have been thoughtfully designed to respect nature and tradition. They are works of art in their own way, but they also represent a certain kind of self-improvement. Needless to say, I was completely mesmerized listening to the show. I was fascinated by all the thought that goes into these houses, but also by the coherence between the project, the values and nature. 

Here are a few of my favorites and a bit of their story.

Let's get started!

The circular house

Whether we like it or not, this house leaves no one indifferent and forces us to question our preconceived ideas. Singular and futuristic, this house is made up of two cylindrical concrete slabs that form the floor and roof, and is perched on the top of a mountain. Each room opens up, both inside and out, to take full advantage of nature.

Photo credit: BBC

The house on the rock

Located in Oslo, Norway, this house was formerly a warehouse that was swept away by a storm. Accessible only by sea, this weekend residence was built on land before being moved by crane boat. It took 7 attempts to get it there, as Norway's weather is, it seems, no picnic. Constructed from an ingenious blend of steel and wood, this house can withstand any weather conditions. Sliding panels allow the house to be opened up completely, giving the owners access to the beauty of the surroundings.

Israel 

I confess I knew nothing about Israeli architecture, but I was fascinated by the ingenuity behind the construction of these two houses. The Galileo House and the Three Gardens House represent a challenge of ingenuity and respect for tradition.

The Galilee house

In Israel, it's terribly hot. The Galilee house was built with the same limestone found on the ground, and the ingenious system of sliding wooden shutters filters the light, keeping the rooms cool.

Photo credit: BBC

The Garden House

Although the house looks completely new, it has been entirely renovated using stones from the owner's grandfather's house. A blend of modern and traditional, it's impossible not to notice the imposing staircase in the center of the room. One might also think that the front's textured panels serve only as decoration, but in fact, its main function is to filter just enough light to temper the room. Finally, the house is surrounded by 3 magnificent gardens, including one used for prayer and another where you can pick giant pomelos.

The mural house

The last house I'm presenting is located in the heart of Lisbon, a small village in Portugal. A veritable fortress, this house looks like a big concrete cube, but as you approach, you realize that everything is automated, and even the walls slide. The house has two swimming pools, one of which is a high-level pool with a completely glazed bottom. More than 55 tonnes of water are suspended in the air.

Photo credit: BBC

You've got to admit, it's all very dreamy. When you're looking for inspiration, go back to basics and try to stay consistent with your essence, what defines you and what you need.