Which house, and where?

[MarkBastable]

Here's a completely frivolous thread.....

If you could choose a building to live in - a house, apartment, duplex (it has to be a domestic abode, rather than, say, the Chrysler Building) - and you could put that building anywhere you wanted, what would be the building and location?

Me, I'd have to choose between several options, but this morning I think I'd go for this house....

http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq193/markbastable/1220020.jpg

..which is currently in Michigan.

I'd put it on the edge of Wimbledon Common, in the south west corner of London, about a mile from where I was born.



http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq193/markbastable/2610264700066538592zCvPPh_ph.jpg



Yes, I realise that this will be architecturally incongruous, but as I also plan to have an Amsterdam canal running across the bottom of the garden, and Cologne Cathedral at the far end of the High Street, I don't think that'll be a problem.

[kasie]

And you have of course checked with the Wombles that your plans will be acceptable to them? The canal may cause them something of a problem.

[MarkBastable]

And you have of course checked with the Wombles that your plans will be acceptable to them? The canal may cause them something of a problem.

It's quite likely that the Wombles will tragically perish in a burrow-fire days before their appeal against the approval of my plans comes to court.

[LitNetIsGreat]

I couldn’t possible live with just one property neither could I take them out of the context of their surroundings. I think I would settle for:

A traditionally lavish apartment building in Venice:
http://www.elmoro.com/images/grand_canal.jpg

Some sort of Villa in Tuscany:
http://utenti.multimania.it/pergolina/tuscany-villa-chianti-florence-rentals-swimming-pool-house-vacantions-accomodations-home002.jpg

Some quiet residence in France, perhaps in the south:
http://www.scottdunn.com/images/properties/1599-four-seasons-resort-provence/8430-village-of-callian-four-seasons-resort-provence-provence-south-of-france.jpg

A typical period manor house in the heart of the English countryside (Georgian if possible):
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/47158000/jpg/_47158103_mountgracepriory.jpg
Of course it would need a huge library and all the usual period attire.

A small, but tastefully, decorated studio in some dreamy Cornish village:
http://www.aspirelifestyleholidays.com/microsites/PierInn%20Studio/IntroPageImage2.jpg

And to slum it I’d need somewhere to stay when visiting my poor relatives back home, so I would take over the running of this little hotel in Grenoside, Sheffield (fully delegate running responsibilities of course) in order that I could crash there. Also in the past I’ve always wanted to own a home in Grenoside so I would do so.
http://static.laterooms.com/hotelphotos/laterooms/149772/gallery/whitley-hall-hotel-sheffield_030320091734013911.jpg

And my job to pay for all this would be the newly appointed position of Chief European Art Commissioner, a very important post, where I would have to immerse myself in all the very best art that Europe has to offer - and I would get free VIP seats to all the best shows and exhibitions of course. Tough Job. After watching each show or exhibition I would have the arduous task of giving in a popcorn rating out of 5, sort of like a Neely seal of approval.
:lurk5::lurk5::lurk5::lurk5:

[papayahed]

Toughie, I like many different styles it's hard to say. Right now I'm feeling like this:

http://media.point2.com/p2a/htmltext/6b74/29f8/aa04/5ca3a8068664ae27015f/original.jpg

And it would be located down about a half mile from here on the water side:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3052/2674472657_f50f630c50.jpg

[MarkBastable]

Neely, you're only allowed one. That's the game. I mean, I tend to agree with you in principle - but the thread rule is the thread rule, just as you're not allowed to slip a sonnet into the haiku thread. So make a decision.

Personally, faced with your list, I'd go with the Georgian pile.

[LitNetIsGreat]

Hmm, that's just a tad evil. I'd not even mentioned my host of other establishments across the continent - I'm going to struggle with this then.

But yes, maybe I'd have to go with the Georgian manor with all the works (servants included) on condition that I get first pick of any top class hotels across the rest of Europe for my almost weekly visits to savour all that is fine in the world of the arts.

[Scheherazade]

I am torn. Either this:

http://www.destination360.com/europe/uk/images/s/windsor-castle.jpg


Or this:

http://albinwilson.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/buckinghampalace_468x376.jpg

[JuniperWoolf]

I've been thinking about this for a while, actually.

I'd want to live in this house that I saw in a movie when I was ten:
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nD7NaMZvZrA/Sbi7r81v__I/AAAAAAAACfs/9Lpj5O8RHS4/s400/Practical%2Bmagic%2Bhouse%2B5.jpg

And the place would be close to my town, but not in it. Far to the left off of this picture, there's a little round mountain that you can't see. I'd want to live at the base of it, in the middle of the woods:
http://www.online-literature.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=579&pictureid=4270
(try to ignore stupid Steve, he's too lame to be in my future)

[Niamh]

I am torn. Either this:

http://www.destination360.com/europe/uk/images/s/windsor-castle.jpg


Or this:

http://albinwilson.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/buckinghampalace_468x376.jpg

Thinking rather small there arent you Scher? :p

[kilted exile]

a little cottage by crail harbour

[janesmith]

Swiss chalet on the shores of Lake Garda

[kasie]

MB - you are not allowed to wipe out the Aboriginal Dwellers just because you fancy living in their backyard. On their behalf I protest - and when -if - that fire takes place, I shall drop a Heavy Hint to the Wimbledon Constabulary.

[MarkBastable]

MB - you are not allowed to wipe out the Aboriginal Dwellers just because you fancy living in their backyard. On their behalf I protest - and when -if - that fire takes place, I shall drop a Heavy Hint to the Wimbledon Constabulary.

I can help you with that. I happen to have the direct number of the head guy in charge of police for that area of London - one Chief Superintendent A. Bastable.

[Bastable]

something like this:

http://www.channel4.com/4homes/images/mb/Channel4/4homes/property-and-money/property-development/kevin-mcclouds-tips-how-to-restore-a-property/stone-cottage-lake-lg--gt_full_width_landscape.jpg

or this:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/6e/Ontario-cottage.jpg

But i'm really not that fussy. All I want is for it to be miles from the urban sprawl, removed from dense population, secluded, with a library, and filled with my loving family... And a fireplace. And located somewhere with low humidity and reasonable summers. And with lots of stonework.

So not fussy at all really.

[applepie]

I must be horribly simple. I would like something like this

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/images/photo/2009/03/22/20090322LIVINGIN/27361977.JPG

Just an old farm house on a 50 acre lot would do me. I would like most of the land to be wooded, but I would still have some for pastures and such :)

[kasie]

I can help you with that. I happen to have the direct number of the head guy in charge of police for that area of London - one Chief Superintendent A. Bastable.


Hmmmm........

[Hurricane]

Something like this:
http://weburbanist.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/luxury-home-in-a-missile-silo.jpg

(House built in an old missile silo. I'll include the plane for good measure.)

In someplace like this:

http://www.offbeattravel.com/wash-olympic-1.jpg

[Veho]

http://www.dailycognition.com/content/image/5/chillingham-castle.jpg

A castle like the one above and I would put it in the north west of Scotland.

[prendrelemick]

This one, and I'd leave it where it is, even though my home would be on the lid of thousands of tins of shortbread.


http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k78/prendrelemick/eilean-donan-castle.jpg

[Lulim]

Something like this:
http://weburbanist.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/luxury-home-in-a-missile-silo.jpg

(House built in an old missile silo. I'll include the plane for good measure.) (...)

What do you need such a giant cellar for?

[Hurricane]

Having the entire house above ground would be ostentatious. But I need space for my library, pantries, gun room, wine cellar, and gym. Thus, massive basements.

[The Comedian]

Oh, let's say something small and easy to maintain like this:

http://www.berryloghomes.com/Cabin_01.jpg

With lots of open space (no people) Right about. . .. here:

http://www.thefurtrapper.com/photogallery/Monument%20Valley.jpg

Edit: with one of these near by too:

http://www.southcarolinaparks.com/files/gallery/lg/as_artesian_well_lg.jpg

[lostworld]

Some where isolated with a large green forest in the back and a white picket fence all the way around...^^ there isn't anything wrong with dreaming right?!

[Annamariah]

A Finnish rock star is having his childhood dream come through: Eric Lloyd Wright designed him a house, which is currently being built. I think this house is going to be great once it's ready, so I'll choose it to be "my" house :D

It is located next to a lake (as can be seen in the first picture, though it's been taken in winter) and there are no 90 degree angles in any of the rooms.

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z284/kaislaneito/Random/sipe1.png

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z284/kaislaneito/Random/sipe2.png

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z284/kaislaneito/Random/sipe3.png

[Scheherazade]

The OP:

Here's a completely frivolous thread.....

If you could choose a building to live in - a house, apartment, duplex (it has to be a domestic abode, rather than, say, the Chrysler Building) - and you could put that building anywhere you wanted, what would be the building and location?

Me, I'd have to choose between several options, but this morning I think I'd go for this house....

http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq193/markbastable/1220020.jpg

..which is currently in Michigan.

I'd put it on the edge of Wimbledon Common, in the south west corner of London, about a mile from where I was born.



http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq193/markbastable/2610264700066538592zCvPPh_ph.jpg



Yes, I realise that this will be architecturally incongruous, but as I also plan to have an Amsterdam canal running across the bottom of the garden, and Cologne Cathedral at the far end of the High Street, I don't think that'll be a problem.

[papayahed]

Toughie, I like many different styles it's hard to say. Right now I'm feeling like this:

http://media.point2.com/p2a/htmltext/6b74/29f8/aa04/5ca3a8068664ae27015f/original.jpg

And it would be located down about a half mile from here on the water side:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3052/2674472657_f50f630c50.jpg

I still like this house.