One Dreams Big

My dream mansion would be built to look unassuming on the street but open up to a glorious ocean view at the back. I like homes that are built with an inner court yard and that have big panels or sliding glass doors that can open up to the courtyard. Mine courtyard shall have a beautiful garden with trees of fruits and water fountains, perhaps a lappool surrounded by beautiful foliage and statuary. It will be in a warm, sunny climate.

The mansion would be built with four connecting wings in a square shape with the courtyard, with the front facade completely hiding all that from the front. The back side of the square would have an arch leading out to a patio with an outdoor kitchen, beautiful water views and perhaps an infinity swimming pool. All the rooms at the back of the square would have big glass windows and balconies. Included on the property would be a garden and greenhouse like those in the Tale of Peter Rabbit, an orchard, and a duckpond. There will be a grandmothers garden up on a hill surrounded by a white picket fence that would include a Magnolia Tree and a goldfish/Koi pond. There will be peacocks roaming freely around the property.

My dream mansion would come with a cook and housekeeper, as well as several gardeners and maids. I wouldn't like to live in such a huge house with just our small family, so there would be a guest wing and perhaps even a guest house on the property, down a path from the back patio, also overlooking the ocean. The inside of the house will be decorated simply and beautifully, displaying a collection of art created by women. Lots of natural woods, white linens, soft carpets, comfortable beds and beautiful views. The bathrooms would be stone and wood, with a spa feel and clawfoot bathtubs. I would like the house to be as space efficient as possible. For example, a wall of tube bedrooms, built up into the wall like in a gnome home. There would be just enough room in each tube for a mattress, shelves, suitcase and wall lamp. The walls at front and back would be made of reversible frosting glass, so that they can be made clear or opaque at the push of a button, controlled from inside. (Just some interesting architectural features like that.)

The entire property would be fueled by solar panels, also located on the property and everything would run as eco-friendly and off grid as possible. And there would be a second greenhouse that is a full hydroponic system, with big round tanks of fish that feeds the plants which in turn filter the water for the fish.