11 Magical Houses Inspired From Fairytales
“One never reaches home, but wherever friendly paths intersect the whole world looks like home for a time.”
– Herman Hesse
This magical houses inspired from fairytales are weird but wonderful things. They have started out as merely roofs over our heads, a place for us to stay that is not outside, and they have grown to be so much more than that.
Houses, in all their forms from cottages to massive skyscraper, are now part of the image and spirit of a place. These structures are what gives a city or town its personality.
As a child, I remember reading lots and lots of fairytales and dreaming of living in (or at least visiting) one of the houses from the books. I used to sit around and picture them in my mind’s eye, wanting to go and see them for real.
Well, now I can, and so can you!
In today’s article, I will be showcasing a few magical houses inspired from fairytales.
1. Hobbit House in Buckland, New Zealand
If you are a fan of Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, then you have probably already recognized this amazing little cottage.
Built on the Hobbiton Movie Set in Matamata, New Zealand, Bilbo’s house is there to be visited by any and all who wish to, as well as several other attractions on location.
2. Traditional House in Nordur-Tingeyjarsysla, Iceland
Iceland is well known for both its incredible landscapes, and its harsh climate. The inhabitants of this beautiful island country had a very specific way of building houses to protect them from the weather: they used turf rooftops on wooden frames, providing excellent insulation and keeping all the warmth inside. The results are stunning houses that are also real cosy to live in.
3. Casa do Penedo in Pereira, Portugal
This 41-year-old house from the gorgeous Fafe Mountains in the north of Portugal is built between four huge boulders that were found there.
It has two floors, with a living room and small kitchen on the first, and a bathroom and three bedrooms on the second. To add to the whole rustic experience, light is provided by candles, as there is no electricity.
4. Three-Storey Treehouse in British Columbia, Canada
Canada has this beautiful place called “The Enchanted Forest”, which is one of British Columbia’s leading attractions. There you can find this lovely treehouse that also has a set of bunk-beds installed, if you feel like reliving any magic childhood memories.
5. Fairytale Forest House in Kaatsheuvel, Netherlands
Like Canada, the Netherlands have their fairytale-themed attraction in Kaatsheuvel. Built in a lush forest, this house has a charm particular for Germanic fairytales, with lots of curvy lines and vines growing on it. What I love about it is the fact that it is surrounded by a small river and has two little bridges to cross it.
6. Rustic Way Guest Cottage in Elk River, Minnesota
Now, this adorable little cottage hardly seems real at all. Built by wood artisan Dan Pauly, this is just one of several such buildings he makes, all of which have the same “almost illustrated” feel to them.
7. Hang Nga Guesthouse in Dalat, Vietnam
If Antoni Gaudi would have ever designed a cave, then this is definitely how it would have looked like. Called “The Crazy House” by visitors and tourists alike, the Hang Nga Guesthouse is one of the most famous buildings from Dalat, which is also known as the “Paris of Vietnam”.
It almost looks as if it was carved in stone, then left to be reclaimed by nature, before finally becoming a place where people can live.
8. Witch House in Clichy-sous-Bois, France
Fairytales have bad guys as well, and here, as the name suggests, is clearly where the wicked witch stays. The house is ominous and a bit dilapidated, and you would think twice before going in, no matter how much gingerbread you were promised.
9. Akebono Kodomo-no-mori Park in Hanno, Japan
I am simply blown away by this stunning house from Japan. Everything from the way it looks, to the excellent idea of adding drain pipes to keep the grass on the roof green, and the inside of the house dry, makes this house a well-thought, well-designed, and well-built structure.
10. Dome Home in Thailand
Steve Areen’s Dome Home is a minimalistic take on the first house on this list, the Hobbit House. This is how I see Bilbo’s house after two or three generations of Baggins making it their home, and make it more “in touch with the times”.
11. Giant Seashell House in Mexico City, Mexico
Called Nautilus by its creator, Javier Sonosian, it’s a brilliantly coloured house, made specifically to be lived in. Ordered by a family with two children, growing up in such a magical home has to be a real fantastic experience.
That concludes this article on fairytale-inspired houses. Be sure to check out our articles on Margarita Kareva and Robin Wight if you want more magical design inspiration, and do not forget to scroll down to the comment section to leave us your thoughts.
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