hr: Architecture

Belvedere is located in Tuscany and is a beautiful traditionally styled stone building situated in lush gardens and with ivy growing up the building. The interior features some original grand exposed beams which are irregularly hewn and don’t so much support the ceiling as add character to the rooms and create an ambiance of authenticity and charm. Some of the other rooms are obvious renovations and exposed wooden beams, but these are obviously machine cut and while they are attractive do not bestow character.

Other than the beams the rooms have many period features. There are exposed brickwork pillars which provide focal points to the rooms as well as delineating areas of architecture. Other rooms are dominated by large open fireplaces while rooms are separated by stone arches.

The kitchen and bathrooms are a tricky mixture of modern with traditional styling. Whilst everything you would expect is present and correct, the overriding theme of recreating and evoking period feature and rustic style carry over. This is a farmhouse kitchen and the bathrooms are less about sleek style and more about largess and a certain retro chunkiness. This is not a home for the modern, the sleek and rushed. It is a building to be savored, to unwind in and with idiosyncrasies both of design and function.

//All images are from Meon Villas.

Situated in Little Harbour Bay in Anguilla, and purpose built in modernist architecture in a development of villas, it has a large outside pool and is constructed wholly from angular, clean lines and fully open plan inside. These are buildings without compromise, with large interior expanses, beautiful and striking architecture and modern and extravagant fittings.

The building is well lit with lots of windows allowing the exterior skylines (which comprise trees and the ocean) to come into view and provide vistas within the house. The swimming pool is cleverly situated to hide the fact the villa is built onto a slope and also provide a calming view from the living area. The pool is huge and the area on the front of it is in the shade of a roof supported by pillars.

This also provides privacy, so the bathrooms face out onto the pool and there is even an outside shower. Whilst this could feel very open and risqué the way that the villas dominate the scenery means that it is both commanding and liberating in its privacy. The villa is not designed to blend into the landscape just as the landscape is shaped around it. This is a stark statement of control comprising every luxury, beautiful and bright architecture and modernism taken to the logical conclusion.

All images are from Carribean Villa Rentals

Can Marques is a large detached property in Cala En Porter with interesting architecture. It has a large L-shaped terraced area on the upper story framed by a series of arches. The arched theme continues throughout the external architecture, acting as a unifying motif for the facade. The front also features a covered terrace in front of the living and dining room with a semi cylindrical design that is eye-catching. The proportions are generous and it makes for an interesting and authentic feeling building. The outside is whitewashed and the roof slated, the shutters are traditional painted wood. In a residential neighborhood that is walking distance from the beach and close to the commercial center, it has an outdoor pool and the sea can be seen on the horizon.

Inside the walls are whitewashed throughout, apart from in the bathroom and kitchen. The tiles are consistent according to the floor that they are situated on. The living room is generous and double doors separate it from outside and the dining room, which is more modest but both rooms feature wood features and complimentary furniture. There is not the typical minimalist holiday home but a house with personality and charm. The design is traditional but features thoroughly modern luxury.

All images are from Can Marques.

Villa Arboc is a cosy detached building with its own pool and lush garden situated by the small resort of Tamariu, on the North Eastern coast of Spain. Although the building is relatively modern and does not have any noticeable architectural flourishes, the finish is a mixture of high end modern luxury and traditional materials.

The building is built onto a slight slope, which leaves some interesting architectural challenges. The front features large windows and an open courtyard area overlooking the pool and forest on the horizon. The back of the building features the secondary bedrooms and is more intimate and less overlooked.

The walls throughout the building are finished to a high standard and painted white; whereas the communal areas have a highly polished marble effect tile the bedrooms have a warmer and less polished tile. Similarly the finish on the ceilings is not consistent throughout the villa. In larger or communal areas painted plaster is preferred, but in the more intimate areas (perhaps necessitated by the sloping roof) the finish is treated wood and brings a certain quaint charm.

The exterior features rustic styled wooden shutters on the windows and traditional tiles on the roof as well as a tiled finish on the terrace. This is a sedate building designed for quiet holidays and peace and quiet.

//All images are from Villa Arboc.

Taking a group of houses over a hundred years old, Villa Kofinas is a fully renovated building situated on the uppermost slopes of the Santorini caldera. With breathtaking views from its commanding view over the local area, alien and breathtaking volcanic rock is juxtaposed against crystal seas and clear blue skies.

The building itself has been cleverly renovated to incorporate modern style and luxury while incorporating traditional features. The wooden doors and roof beams supporting traditional thatched style roofs of this rent villa are painted green to be conspicuous and noticeable. This is not a building seeking to hide its heritage but embrace and flaunt it.

The walls, however, are modern and smooth. The finish a slick and semi sheen white which shows a certain opulence and quality. Brickwork and stonework has been subliminated into a clean canvas to best enjoy the rent villa’s focal points as well as the breathtaking vistas it provides.

Water plays a huge part in the design of this rent villa, both in terms of the views and the features of the building. The bathrooms are lit to feel aquatic, with diffuse blue reflecting off white walls. The fittings are modern chrome and the finish high spec. The terrace incorporates a large and welcoming pool, itself lit for drama and to provide a focal point.

The building shows an overarching elegance, a continuity of design. It is semi open plan and has the same finish and color scheme throughout, with the walls acting as counterpoint to the painted wood features and the tiled floors. This is a regulated and paradoxically modern yet traditional building in a breathtakingly beautiful yet alien landscape.

This is a luxurious Florida villa that is located within the Windsor Palms resort in Kissimmee, Florida. Windsor Palms is very popular among tourists and is sought after by most families. It has a great location because it is the closest resort to Disney World.

This Florida villa measures a total of 2,600 square feet of floor space and has two floors. Because of its size it is marketed as a villa that can fit two large families and people who travel in groups will have no problem having fun while staying here.

The master bedroom has a king size bed and a large bathroom.

Other rooms are just as big and spacious and very relaxing.

Children will also enjoy these theme rooms. Disney Princess is the theme for the girls’ room, while Sports is the overall theme for the boys’ room.

This Florida villa also has a large, private pool and jacuzzi. Both have a heating mechanism to cater to the guests’ overall comfort. The patio by the pool is also large enough for those who want to sit down and relax. It can also be a great venue for small parties and cookouts.

//All images are from FloridaVilla4Us.com.

The Hillside Villa at the Alte, Messines is nicely located in an area where it is surrounded by great restaurants and bars. But apart from the great location as a big come-on, what will make one stop and say, “I want to spend a few days here,” are the wonderful amenities waiting to be discovered by guests.

The Hillside Villa’s architecture is very clean and rustic, with old-world charms that make the place look warm and inviting. One of the biggest prides of the villa is the large private pool, as well as the roof terrace where guests of six can have meals and conversation while enjoying the view.

Another thing that makes the pool great is the state-of-the-art Ultra Violet Light System that purifies and cleans the water for swimming. No chemicals are added to the water, and everything is clearly organic. Swimmers will enjoy this privilege and will probably waste no time diving into the pool. The patio is also a great venue for a cookout and little parties, all the more reason to love this hillside villa.

Overall, this popular hillside villa is a great vacation spot for families and large group of friends wanting to get away from the humdrum of the city. The bedrooms, lounge and dining areas are made for relaxation, while still providing great home and kitchen accessories. Get away from the world for awhile in this place, but if you want to stay connected to cyberspace, an internet connection is available. Should you wish to commune with nature on an impromptu hiking trip, mountain bikes are provided, too.

//Source and images from Hillside Villa.

Sonoma Coast Villa boasts of elegance and style as it creates a once-in-a-lifetime experience for all of its guests in this quaint country estate in Northern California. The coast villa has several gardens with beautiful terraces, tiled roofs, charming terra cotta stucco designs and wide verandas that portray familiar Mediterranean surroundings.

The coast villa interiors are very warm, with the fireplace a great focus in the room. Other amenities in area include very private patios, spas and swimming pools, and other great comforts that make this Californian refuge a nice place to stay in.

I like the extensive use of wood all throughout the architecture of this coast villa. It marries well together with other natural elements like fresh flowers, the green grass outside, and the blue sky. It is also a stark contrast to other modern furnishings like bathtubs, walk-in showers, and marbled floors.

There are also many rooms like The Honeymoon Suite, Junior Suite, Country Rooms, Deluxe Villa Rooms, Deluxe Villa Rooms. Each room has a large private courtyard and a spacious sitting area with magnificent sliding doors. All together, these rooms make up a grand coast villa that is a home away from home. From the exterior to the interior designs, Sonoma Coast Villa really does embody both elegance and style - find true comfort, bliss and peace here. You won’t be disappointed.

//All images are from Sonoma Coast Villa.

The Lutsen sea villa is a sight to behold at the Lutsen Resort in Minnesota. The structure are just a few meters away from the magnificent Lake Superior shoreline, and provides a great view of the sea and the sky. The grounds are very spacious, and the environment is perfect for those looking for tranquility and relaxation. There are walking trails provided for visitors who want to explore the area, as well as provisions for campfires at the beach, should one hold a gathering or a party.

Inside the sea villa are big and spacious bedrooms, fully furnished kitchens, warm and inviting fireplaces, and other comforts from the modern home like TVs, DVD players, and internet. There are also private decks where one can spend the afternoon just having snacks and conversation, or reading a book.

The Lutsen sea villa is part of a bigger resort that also houses other structures like lodges and cabins. Provided for the guests is a big recreational building where it contains a large indoor pool, a whirlpool and even a sauna. For children, they will be glad to see that a playground is also set up where they can play and have fun.

The Lutsen Sea Villa is a wonderful way to enjoy both indoor and outdoor comforts. It is built in Scandinavian-style of architecture, and feels and looks very luxurious. The ambiance complements the vast expanse of sea and sky outside, and portrays the quality of a fine hotel.

//Images from Lutsen Resort.

The “O” Beach Villas offer an enticing view of the Kuredu Express. Kuredu Express is famous for spotting dolphins and the blue Indian Ocean far away in the horizon. Distant islands can also be seen, and is a fantastic view while resting on the sun deck chairs.

At the terrace area, there is a big daybed where people can lounge and enjoy the sun.

The “O” Beach Villa also boasts of a big bedroom that has a big space for sitdowns and conversations.

While the bathrooms are very romantic with a walk-in shower.

The architecture of this beach villa is such that it is positioned to catch the sun as it rises in the morning. Sunlight enters the villa in a magnificent manner, that it lights up the whole area. It’s a great place to enjoy the beach. Having a place to come home to instead of the regular hotel is like having the comforts of home.

//Source and images from Kuredu Resorts.