Is this a great house or what?

[W2R]

Not the house for me - - but it is sure distinctive, and I'd imagine it is somebody else's dream home.

Too big, too open with too many windows, too much junk (=future landfill) in it, not to mention entirely unsuitable for the elderly or disabled. I fall in those categories more and more as the years pass. The bathroom would be unsafe and scary for someone like me (see photo#34). Also the HVAC bills would be ridiculous.

More important is the flat roof mentioned by forum member Another Reader, and others. This would be a complete deal breaker to me.

I'll leave this house for somebody who can appreciate it more than I do.

 

[Yipper]

Novel, interesting - but way out of date, would have to be gutted kitchens and baths at least.

ancient appliances... fixtures look near end of their service life and man... the clutter! how to tell me there isn't enough storage space without telling me directly.

 

[Gumby]

Who is going to clean the soap scum out of all that carved stone behind the shower? Also, plywood walls? No thanks. The concept is interesting, though.

 

[JoeWras]

When I saw that photo I thought of JoeWras thread, "Home Without a Coat Closet?".

< Joe goes into realtor mode>
"Mold? I think it is concrete patina. This house has character."

 

[REWahoo]

Mark me in the "or what" column.

 

[ExFlyBoy5]

My sister and I share links when we come across an "interesting" house. She sent me this one a few weeks ago: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/4600-Nelson-St-Fremont-CA-94538/25010087_zpid/

It looks like they've removed the best photos where the living room had red walls and gilded rococo furniture to go with that red and gold carpeting. It was eye-popping. The balconies overlooking the living room had green walls and were filled with chairs and sofas facing the glass -- as if they were spectators in the second deck of a stadium.

If you like seeing "interesting" listings on Zillow I recommend the following Facebook pages:

- Nightmare on Zillow Street
- Zillow Gone Wild

There are some "quality" listings to see.

 

[calmloki]

Another house that claims some FLW influence ("rumored student designed"). This has the arc design and, to my taste, way more ugly going on, but does have the wall of windows and circular elements at the ends of the house arc.
Location, location, location - Chowchilla Ca! oooo.

https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/120-Canal-Dr_Chowchilla_CA_93610_M19613-47201

 

[ExFlyBoy5]

I love it! I like windows and glass makes me feel the outdoors. We have a lot of large windows and sliders and be nice if we had more celling to floor glass. The bad part in the north it isn't very economical.

You always hear outdated. I'm sure most are after a few years old, but one doesn't have to have to most current up to date to be beautiful and an enjoyable home. IMO

We also have some large picture windows and while I LOVE the view they offer, they are a pain to keep clean.

 

[REWahoo]

Here's an interesting one with plenty of glass, described in the listing as "where art and architecture meet".

https://www.trulia.com/p/tx/austin/2803-manitou-dr-austin-tx-78734--2313591936?mid=0#lil-mediaTab

 

[calmloki]

If you like seeing "interesting" listings on Zillow I recommend the following Facebook pages:

- Nightmare on Zillow Street
- Zillow Gone Wild

There are some "quality" listings to see.

Thanks! Sifting through the straight up bizzarro stuff and finding a few that really are interesting. Most housing is built to be easy and cheap to build with a labor force that has marginal skill levels. Not easy to execute something original, especially if you aren't the one doing the actual building. I like trying to figure out why people built the way they built and sometimes there are creative minds that do beautiful work - more often just glimmers, but the search is the fun.

 

[W2R]

I love it! I like windows and glass makes me feel the outdoors. We have a lot of large windows and sliders and be nice if we had more celling to floor glass. The bad part in the north it isn't very economical.

Large ceiling to floor glass can be a problem in hurricane country, too. Anything strong hurricane winds can pick up will become a missile, and break the glass. Also they aren't very private, and I suppose the monthly HVAC bills would be even higher.

You always hear outdated. I'm sure most are after a few years old, but one doesn't have to have to most current up to date to be beautiful and an enjoyable home. IMO

+1000 Often the finishes that look outdated, may be easier to clean, prettier, or may bring back pleasant, nostalgic memories of my childhood.

 

[street]

Here's an interesting one with plenty of glass, described in the listing as "where art and architecture meet".

https://www.trulia.com/p/tx/austin/2803-manitou-dr-austin-tx-78734--2313591936?mid=0#lil-mediaTab

I like that one also!!

 

[street]

Large ceiling to floor glass can be a problem in hurricane country, too. Anything strong hurricane winds can pick up will become a missile, and break the glass. Also they aren't very private, and I suppose the monthly HVAC bills would be even higher.

Oh, that is so true! I do agree that home wouldn't be a good home for the area you live in.

A home with a lot of glass isn't a good choice for northern climates either. I just like to open concept and the view of the outdoors at every angle.

 

[TrvlBug]

This is my favorite. These pics don't do justice to what the new owner has done with the house. Google 'Flintstone House San Mateo' for more. Hillsborough's homes are priced $5M+. She had a court fight with the hoity toity town when she enhanced the landscaping which can be seen when you drive north on 280. It always puts a smile on my face when I see it. She won .

https://www.zillow.com/homes/45-Berryessa-Way-Hillsborough,-CA-94010_rb/15535150_zpid/

 

[NW-Bound]

Here's an interesting one with plenty of glass, described in the listing as "where art and architecture meet".

https://www.trulia.com/p/tx/austin/2803-manitou-dr-austin-tx-78734--2313591936?mid=0#lil-mediaTab

Glass is good, but I would have the feeling of living in a fish bowl.

Even in a secluded area with no risk of being watched by passerbys, at night when it is dark and you cannot see what's outside, don't you have the feeling of being watched by a bear or mountain lion, which licks its chop while looking at you inside the home and thinking, "Yummy!" ?

 

[ls99]

Another house that claims some FLW influence ("rumored student designed"). This has the arc design and, to my taste, way more ugly going on, but does have the wall of windows and circular elements at the ends of the house arc.
Location, location, location - Chowchilla Ca! oooo.

https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/120-Canal-Dr_Chowchilla_CA_93610_M19613-47201

BFU regardless where it might be.

 

[Teacher Terry]

Glass is good, but I would have the feeling of living in a fish bowl.

Even in a secluded area with no risk of being watched by passerbys, at night when it is dark and you cannot see what's outside, don't you have the feeling of being watched by a bear or mountain lion, which licks its chop while looking at you inside the home and thinking, "Yummy!" ?

No mountain lions in rural Wisconsin).

 

[MC Rider]

Interesting places. I have heard FLW was not the best on structural, especially roofs.
There are lots of interesting architect designed oddities here in Los Angeles. Especially in Hollywood Hills and areas like that. I have seen more than a few in 30 years of RE appraisal. Can't think of 1 specific example right off.


Not sure I would want to live in a place like that. The floor plan is probably weird on top of the other thoughts you all have.

 

[calmloki]

Interesting places. I have heard FLW was not the best on structural, especially roofs.
There are lots of interesting architect designed oddities here in Los Angeles. Especially in Hollywood Hills and areas like that. I have seen more than a few in 30 years of RE appraisal. Can't think of 1 specific example right off.


Not sure I would want to live in a place like that. The floor plan is probably weird on top of the other thoughts you all have.

Heh - no one has mentioned the home office above the master bedroom in the original post. You know - the office accessed via ladder through the round hole in the ceiling.

 

[NW-Bound]

No mountain lions in rural Wisconsin).

I was commenting on the even glassier home in Austin that REWahoo posted.

Human stalkers are even scarier.

 

[Bamaman]

A gentleman down the lake from us died, and his house was on the market for $12,000,000. His second home was the penthouse of Trump Tower on Fifth Ave. His Christensen 137' 350 ton super yacht probably cost twice what the main residence cost.

I don't see the big house still on the r/e market.

 

[MC Rider]

Heh - no one has mentioned the home office above the master bedroom in the original post. You know - the office accessed via ladder through the round hole in the ceiling.

LOL. Not even a skinny spiral staircase?

 

[calmloki]

Nope - ladder.

Here's another I saved - Gal calls it the Barbie house, something to do with the pink kitchen and flooring, but I like the turrets and arched doors and glass block on just a normal little house on an elevated lot by a river:

https://www.coldwellbankerhomes.com/mn/saint-cloud/630-riverside-dr-se/pid_47966204/

 

[skyking1]

That is a nifty home, thanks for posting. I've seen many homes that I appreciate for the vision and craftsmanship that I would not live in myself, but it does not detract from the coolness.

 

[street]

Nope - ladder.

Here's another I saved - Gal calls it the Barbie house, something to do with the pink kitchen and flooring, but I like the turrets and arched doors and glass block on just a normal little house on an elevated lot by a river:

https://www.coldwellbankerhomes.com/mn/saint-cloud/630-riverside-dr-se/pid_47966204/

Now that is an interesting home.