Known as The Lewis Estate, this sprawling spread can be found on a gorgeous hilltop plot overlooking the San Fernando Valley in Encino, California. The property was constructed in 1972 and designed by iconic mid-century modern architect, Donald G. Park. As well as boasting incredible scenery from almost every window, this unique round house also benefits from a truly stunning interior that's seemingly been untouched for decades.
Though perhaps calling it a round house isn't quite correct. The property, which spreads across three connecting structures, is actually a dodecagon, or a 12-sided polygon. Head inside and you'll be greeted by beautiful living spaces that are enhanced by the home's unique shape. The lounge has to be one of the home's finest spaces, thanks to the floor-to-ceiling fireplace built from stones and a huge sheet of copper, the marble wall art and the sunken conversation pit.
The 6,811-square-foot mansion comes complete with five bedrooms, five bathrooms, countless living rooms, a purple and pink kitchen, a leather bar, a dining room and a hallway that's akin to an indoor jungle, thanks to the multitude of palms and plants that fill the space. There are mid-century design elements everywhere you look, from raw stone accents to floor-to-ceiling fireplaces, vintage light fixtures, exposed structural beams and endless sheets of glass.
The master bathroom also happens to be a treasure trove of vintage design trends. From the matching suite and tiles to the patterned floor and his-and-hers sinks, we don't think an avocado bathroom has ever looked so good. Head outside and you'll find an acre of garden, complete with outdoor entertaining spaces, a pool and spa, lush landscaping, a gas firepit and 200-degree views across the valley below. This incredible home was listed in 2021 with Hilton & Hyland for £6.4 million ($8.5m).
From the outside, this family home in Framingham, Massachusetts, looks fairly ordinary, but when you step inside you'll discover a time capsule of 1970s interior design. From fluorescent bathrooms to orange, brown and mustard furnishings, this nostalgic property has been frozen in time.
The 4,133-square-foot house is located some 22 miles west of downtown Boston and the current owners have lived there for more than 20 years, choosing not to change a thing about the décor. While the lounge benefits from a bright orange shag pile carpet, brick fireplace and heavily patterned couches, the entrance hall is equipped with yellow and blue wallpaper.
The kitchen is one of the home's best spaces, though. With its yellow countertops, green and white units, vivid linoleum floor and retro appliances, it looks as though the room has been plucked straight out of the 70s. Elsewhere, you'll find five bedrooms, each with clashing colour palettes, retro bed linen and mirrored closets.
And yet the pièce de résistance has to be this incredible bathroom. From its jet-black suite to its hot-pink accessories and groovy floor-to-ceiling wallpaper, it's unlike any wash space we've seen before. Other design gems include the home's endless wood-panelled passageways and its formal dining room with a built-in buffet—perfect for when The Brady Bunch pop around for dinner! In 2016, the property sold for around £473,000 ($625k).
Completed in 1984 and reportedly taking 100 men two years to build, this home in El Granada, California was put on the market in 2021 for £9.1 million ($11.9m), and we can see why. Perfectly preserved inside and out, the home is an ode to the era of country style, pairing chintz with bold pops of colour and brass accents.
Greeting you in the hallway is one of the most jaw-dropping features of the home: a three-storey blue crystal chandelier. Surrounded by raspberry red carpets that cover the main living areas, the home was built with the best available materials from the era and would have been the utmost in luxury at the time. Spread over a huge 23,800 square feet, there are nine bedrooms and 11 bathrooms for the new owner to enjoy.
Elsewhere, the double-height kitchen is also a nostalgic blast from the past. The carpeted room boasts wooden cabinetry and a large round cooker hood adorned with a decorative frieze. Unusually, there's also a fish tank in the centre of the room that sits alongside a number of pantries and two meat lockers, one for curing meats and the other for freezing them.
Located on the lower level and accessed by either plush carpeted stairs or the handy elevator sits the recreational level. The indoor swimming pool has been designed in the shape of a fish, with two Jacuzzis forming the head and tail. It sits next to a comfortable living area complete with LED strip lighting. Elsewhere, there is a movie theatre, games room, sauna and gym to enjoy.
Fish out your flares and your loudest shirt because we're travelling back to the 1970s. This home in Florida’s coastal city of Sarasota holds a special place in many locals’ hearts. According to Sarasota Magazine, the momentous property marks a pivotal shift in the city's architectural history, moving from simple suburban architecture to glamorous designs inspired by Palm Beach and Beverly Hills.
Ruth Richmond, a pioneering 70s architect, built the home for a retired middle-class couple but there's nothing retiring about its décor. Loud, vivid wallpaper abounds throughout the interior, with the classic-style bedroom featuring a bright yellow palm print—a nod to the Sarasota sunshine.
With an open-plan dining and cooking area, the kitchen is decorated with a Pop Art-style floral print that vintage lovers will adore. Large windows offer a panoramic view of the tranquil waterway. The house has been with the same Swiss family since 1974 and although they thought about redecorating, they decided they loved the house too much to change a thing.
Formica might be out of style now but most modern 70s bathrooms used the versatile material across their countertops. While it's a unique selling point, the home's quirky time-warp décor isn’t the reason the house sold for £2.7 million ($3.5m) in 2018. The groovy pad has 233 feet of seawall on one of Florida’s prettiest waters, Bird Key.
After making his fortune as a redwood lumber baron, William Carson built the formidable Gothic-style Carson Mansion in 1885. Talking about the home's construction, he's quoted as saying: "...if I build it poorly, they will say I am a damn miser; if I build it expensively, they will say I am a show off; guess I’ll just build it to suit myself."
The imposing dining room still has its large original oak table and the exquisitely carved fireplace mantel is also made from oak. Carson had his dining set bespoke designed and the ceiling painted an extravagant metallic gold. Despite its historical reverence, the house was in danger of being demolished when the last of the Carson family left Eureka, California in the 1940s.
However, in 1950, the Ingomar Club, a private gentlemen’s society was created and took over the mansion as their headquarters. The club has preserved the home's historic interiors, however, no public tours are permitted inside the residence. Despite this, the mansion's dramatic façade has captured America’s imagination and several replicas have been produced, including Disneyland's train station tower.
Frozen in time, this mid-century modern house looks like it's straight out of a Marilyn Monroe movie. While it might not be a film set, the 1954 Texas home does have its own claim to fame. The house is one of the model homes in the Disney Streets neighbourhood of Texas, so called because all of the streets are named after Disney characters.
The 50s heralded a new era of funky, experimental design. Loud colours were all the rage and this bold living room is right on trend. While bright shades aren’t as popular now as they were half a century ago, much of the furniture seen here is undergoing something of a renaissance. Basket-style chairs are a hot trend, while snake plants are also back in vogue.
Remarkable for its era, the 2,240-square-foot dwelling was one of the first to offer an open-plan style of living. All of the property's rooms face out onto the extensive outdoor living area, creating a seamless flow between the interior and the pool. The house was so ground-breaking at the time that it was even featured in a 1954 Parade of Homes tour which highlighted the latest developments in modern architecture.
Beautiful Hearst Castle in San Simeon, California is a mansion like no other—it's definitely a castle we'd like to live in. The impressive architectural feat was originally called La Cuesta Encantada (The Enchanted Hill in Spanish). Dreamt up by media mogul William Randolph Hearst, it was a cherished project that was inspired by his childhood travels in Europe.
Hearst teamed up with architect Julia Morgan in 1919, and the pair would spend almost three decades toiling away on the castle. Ill health meant Hearst never saw it completed to his specification but even in its unfinished state the castle contained some 165 rooms and more than 100 acres of gardens. In this lavish bedroom, Hearst's meticulous eye for opulent detail is clear to see, from the dramatic frescoed ceiling to the curtained walls.
Hearst was an art lover too, with paintings and sculptures practically spilling from the property—a highlight is Venus Italica, a sculpture of Venus by Antonio Canova. Today, the home is open to the public, with tours themed around art and even Hollywood available; Charlie Chaplin and Cary Grant were among the glittering parade of guests to visit the castle.
No expense was spared when it came to the luxurious facilities at Hearst Castle, either. The outdoor Neptune pool features Grecian pavilions and a parade of sculptural water fountains. Inside, the tiled Roman pool is bedecked in gold and adorned with sumptuous mosaics that depict sea creatures and other mythical beasts. Talk about taking a dip in style...
Time has stood still in this 1980s mansion, in the Indian Wells desert of California. With a Miami Vice vibe and ‘more is more’ approach, it’s a maximalist mix of pink, daring colour combos, neon and excess. Built in 1989, the entrance to the property is covered by a striking pink canopy.
All 12,369 square feet of the property are built with the highest quality craftsmanship, design and attention to detail throughout. Even the pool bar cabinetry is pink and features a large centre island.
The outside space offers views of the landscape waterfalls, sprawling lakes and lagoon, as well as a garage for a fleet of 20 cars. The property last sold for £4.6 million ($6m). The new owners will also be able to apply for membership to the exclusive private country club The Vintage Club, and its spa and sporting facilities.
Built in 1895, the Harold Brown Villa has 25 rooms spread over a whopping 13,962 square feet. The jaw-dropping villa was designed in the Gilded Age, which was known for its glittering and extravagant architecture. Sold in 2018 for £3.8 million ($5m), the house is a stunning example of 19th-century decadence.
Once inside, you'd be forgiven for thinking you’d stumbled into the halls of Versailles. The first owners fell in love with French Napoleonic-era architecture when they were on their Parisian honeymoon and even purchased a set of furniture that previously belonged to Napoleon himself. The villa is constructed out of locally-sourced granite and features elaborate marblework and gilded wall detailing.
If you were an American aristocrat in the Gilded Age, there was only one man you wanted to do your interior design. Ogden Codman was a revered interior designer and specialised in the French-inspired Beaux Arts style of décor. The mastermind behind these lavish interiors, he's responsible for this imposing dining room, complete with ornate friezes and decorative columns.
Over a century later, the house’s interior is remarkably unchanged, with live-in staff tending to its preservation. The Villa was most recently owned by socialite Eileen Slocum who had her own impressive collection of antique furniture. All of Eileen’s grandchildren were married in the house and the villa might even hold a few Republican party secrets in its walls, as Slocum entertained ex-presidents Gerald Ford, George HW Bush and former vice president Dick Cheney there.
Built in 1957, this mid-century former party house on LA's Sugar Loaf Drive is a real gem. Stretching 3,000 square feet, the property was originally built as part of a series of model homes by Architectural Products magazine. Designed by revered local architects, the homes were experimental in design and sought to push the boundaries of mid-century architecture. Inside, the property has hardly changed since its heyday...
Wood-clad ceilings, a calling card of mid-century modern décor, stretch throughout the property, while gold-patterned wallpaper and a chandelier add a sense of grandeur to this bedroom. Just imagine waking up to views of those rolling hills...
A wraparound deck runs the length of the elevated living areas, while down at ground level, outside space is plentiful. An expansive swimming pool in the shape of California takes centre stage, while the outdoor kitchen, decked out in its original multi-coloured cabinetry, is the perfect spot for alfresco dining. Looks like indoor-outdoor living isn't such a new trend...
Get ready to kick back like it's 1997 in this quirky mansion that hasn't changed in over 20 years. This time-warp home has five bedrooms and five-and-a-half bathrooms, and best of all, it's only a few steps from the beach.
The full-length windows overlook the stunning Atlantic coast and an exclusive golf course. A custom build, the house is decked out head to toe in pastel décor and patterned fabrics. The dining room has a baby blue theme with imitation Louis XIV furniture and a chandelier, while floor-to-ceiling windows draw in lots of natural light.
The 90s had a thing for imitation and fake flowers arranged into lavish displays could be found in most homes of the decade. Ornate window treatments were also a must—forget a simple blind or a minimalist curtain, this was the era of pelmets and fussy textured finishes. In this spacious light-filled living room, layers of tactile ruching adorn the windows in intricate tiers.
No dark wood interiors in sight, the 90s favoured blonde and orange-hued wood. In the kitchen, pale cabinetry is offset with yet more baby blue—a prevailing theme through the home's 4,569 square feet of interiors. Unsurprisingly, the mansion last sold for a cool £7.6 million ($9.9m).
Built for millionaire map-maker Andrew McNally in the 1880s, this lavish Altadena mansion was a mystery to the public for a century. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007, the almost 7,000-square-foot property includes nine bedrooms and five bathrooms.
The master bedroom is located inside the turret and has been decked out in dark floral wallpaper typical of Victorian décor. Built against the stunning mountain backdrop of the San Gabriel range, you can expect breathtaking views from the home's original sash windows.
The home's biggest surprise, however, is the octagonal Turkish Room. Resplendent with Moorish-style touches, the room is decorated in Middle Eastern wood panelling and luxurious silken fabrics. Measuring 24 feet in diameter, the canopied ceiling is a real showstopper with its intricate paintwork. Arabic phrases, thought to be words from the Koran, are stencilled onto the upper walls.
Dating all the way back to the 16th century, the Chatsworth estate in the East Midlands of England is a glittering example of the luxurious mansions of yesteryear. The grand stately home has been the seat of the Cavendish family since 1549 and despite alterations to the home over the years, the property remains largely frozen in the 19th century thanks to the valiant conservation efforts of its staff.
A haven for book lovers, Chatsworth's impressive library features swathes of bookcases organised across two levels. We can just imagine the home's historic residents reclined on a chaise lounge, thumbing through a leather-bound volume under that incredible gold ceiling.
Among the home's 126 rooms, the Wellington Bedroom offers the most regal slumber spot. The four-poster bed is adorned with green silk curtains, while a jungle of trees, flowers and birds grow up the walls, creating the ultimate escapist retreat. A private home, Chatsworth House opens up some of its rooms to the public so you glimpse this luxurious time warp for yourself.
When this unique property hit the Australian real estate market in February 2022, it went viral almost immediately, and not because of its striking rotund exterior. Located in Victoria Park, an inner suburb of Perth, the historic mansion boasts one of the wildest interiors we've ever seen—not to mention some seriously bold carpets. Let's head inside...
The jaw-dropping home was custom-built by a prominent Italian family in the mid-1970s and thanks to its otherworldly interior design, it has been listed on Victoria Park’s Municipal Heritage Inventory list as a "stunning example of Late Twentieth Century Immigrants’ Nostalgic style architecture". The home's bright red front doors open up to a dazzling entrance foyer, complete with a bejeweled sweeping staircase, mirrored columns and Venetian glass chandeliers. And that's just for starters...
The 7,760-square-foot residence benefits from three bedrooms, four bathrooms and endless living spaces, all overflowing with astounding décor that hasn't been touched since the home was built in the 1970s. The colourful kitchen is about as big as the average apartment and boasts an extraordinary tiled floor, stained-glass elements designed to match the Italian flag, original counters and cabinets, and that classic 70s touch—mustard curtains!
Other amazing original features include the home's gorgeous second-floor skylight, which adorns the top of the staircase, Italian ceramic tiles, ornate cornicing, marble verandas and blue and gold bathrooms, while there's also a religious monument in the backyard. Listed for around £773,000 ($1m), or just under AUD$1.4 million in early 2022, this is one standout piece of real estate!
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