Dream Houzz: Houzz Staff Editor Amanda Pollard Designs Her Fantasy Home
Continuing our ongoing series, Houzz staff editor Amanda Pollard shares the photos that make up her dream home
Plenty of light and a soft, elegant colour scheme combine to make a dream home where the household can relax, socialise, have fun and be incredibly organised, while at the bottom of the garden sits a surprise for true escapism.
The living room
There are two lounging areas in this dream house. Here’s the cosy den, with its colour scheme of dusky hues. It’s a room purely for relaxation, and probably used mainly in the evening for reading and watching television.
The beautiful stained-glass windows give this space a luminous quality. I imagine it as a retreat from the bustle of the rest of the house, separated from the other rooms by a gorgeous Crittall screen.
There are two lounging areas in this dream house. Here’s the cosy den, with its colour scheme of dusky hues. It’s a room purely for relaxation, and probably used mainly in the evening for reading and watching television.
The beautiful stained-glass windows give this space a luminous quality. I imagine it as a retreat from the bustle of the rest of the house, separated from the other rooms by a gorgeous Crittall screen.
The kitchen
My fantasy kitchen is dominated by a huge island. It’s big enough for someone to prepare and cook delicious food, while family and friends gather to chat, nibble and drink tea or wine.
In this dream world, my children sit at the island happily doing their maths homework – this is a fantasy house after all!
The rest of the kitchen has been carefully planned, with an ample larder and clever storage solutions, such as the chopping board slots in this island. The work surface around the sink is non-porous to prevent water collecting, while the solid wood elsewhere warms up the space.
Check out these ideas for kitchen islands
My fantasy kitchen is dominated by a huge island. It’s big enough for someone to prepare and cook delicious food, while family and friends gather to chat, nibble and drink tea or wine.
In this dream world, my children sit at the island happily doing their maths homework – this is a fantasy house after all!
The rest of the kitchen has been carefully planned, with an ample larder and clever storage solutions, such as the chopping board slots in this island. The work surface around the sink is non-porous to prevent water collecting, while the solid wood elsewhere warms up the space.
Check out these ideas for kitchen islands
I will, of course, want a giant table in my new kitchen. It’ll need to be big enough to seat everyone comfortably. I’d like something in solid wood that won’t mind some knocks and stains. The bench seating here is ideal for being flexible with numbers, while the Eames-style chairs look beautiful and elegant.
The second lounging zone
At the end of the kitchen will be another lounge area, this time looking out to the garden. This big, comfy corner sofa looks like the perfect place for Sunday morning loafing. I’d be happy here with a cup of tea and a newspaper, enjoying the breeze coming in from the large bifold doors.
At the end of the kitchen will be another lounge area, this time looking out to the garden. This big, comfy corner sofa looks like the perfect place for Sunday morning loafing. I’d be happy here with a cup of tea and a newspaper, enjoying the breeze coming in from the large bifold doors.
The master bedroom
My dream bedroom is a calm, restful haven. A muted colour scheme forms a lovely backdrop to natural materials and soft, clean bed linen.
The blush shades here look lovely against the pale greys and creams and make it feel wonderfully peaceful.
My dream bedroom is a calm, restful haven. A muted colour scheme forms a lovely backdrop to natural materials and soft, clean bed linen.
The blush shades here look lovely against the pale greys and creams and make it feel wonderfully peaceful.
The luxury bathroom
In this fantasy house, the master bathroom is completely indulgent. A freestanding bath will dominate the space and be perched right in front of a large window.
The room here, with its soft furnishings and big armchair, looks as comfortable as a living room. You could lock yourself away for an hour or so and emerge feeling relaxed and pampered.
In this fantasy house, the master bathroom is completely indulgent. A freestanding bath will dominate the space and be perched right in front of a large window.
The room here, with its soft furnishings and big armchair, looks as comfortable as a living room. You could lock yourself away for an hour or so and emerge feeling relaxed and pampered.
The kids’ paradise
This dream home will hopefully keep the whole family happy. My daughters would love a window seat for reading, relaxing and gossiping, so this room is perfect.
The raised cabin makes this space even more fun. It’s such a simple idea, but would provide a great place to hide out.
This dream home will hopefully keep the whole family happy. My daughters would love a window seat for reading, relaxing and gossiping, so this room is perfect.
The raised cabin makes this space even more fun. It’s such a simple idea, but would provide a great place to hide out.
The garden
Outside is where this home becomes even more dreamy. A scented arbour leads to a swimming pool – heated of course! I’ll do my morning laps in here and dry off in the adjacent summer house.
I’m a keen gardener, so in this parallel universe, the exterior of my home will have room for beautiful planting, an abundant vegetable patch and some fruit trees.
Outside is where this home becomes even more dreamy. A scented arbour leads to a swimming pool – heated of course! I’ll do my morning laps in here and dry off in the adjacent summer house.
I’m a keen gardener, so in this parallel universe, the exterior of my home will have room for beautiful planting, an abundant vegetable patch and some fruit trees.
The real dream home
I haven’t said whether my fantasy house is in the city or the country yet. Well, I’d be happy for the front garden to be in my friendly London street, but at the back of the house, I’ll be transported to a river. Here is where I’ll keep my real dream home – a houseboat; a home away from home that will take me along the water to wherever I’d like to go.
I love the midcentury furniture in this renovated barge. The clean lines help the small space appear uncluttered, and the wood burner adds a warm and cosy feel.
Take a tour of this houseboat
I haven’t said whether my fantasy house is in the city or the country yet. Well, I’d be happy for the front garden to be in my friendly London street, but at the back of the house, I’ll be transported to a river. Here is where I’ll keep my real dream home – a houseboat; a home away from home that will take me along the water to wherever I’d like to go.
I love the midcentury furniture in this renovated barge. The clean lines help the small space appear uncluttered, and the wood burner adds a warm and cosy feel.
Take a tour of this houseboat
What does your fantasy home look like? Share a link to your dream house Ideabook in the Comments below.
In my fantasy house, life is organised. There are no muddy wellies strewn over the floor, and I will not be tripping over someone tying their shoelaces on the stairs. No, in this house the hallway has a brilliantly organised storage system like this one, complete with a comfy seat.
The entrance to this dream house is light and bright, and it smells wonderful. We never lose a trainer or a glove, because everything has a place, and we feel calm, peaceful and, in fact, positively Zen-like the minute we walk through the door.
Find great ideas to transform a dark hallway