12 of the Most-Photographed Private Homes in America
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Plan your next road trip around these stunning historical homes, which are sure to incite more than a little house envy. But remember: no trespassing—they're all privately-owned!
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Steamboat Houses, New Orleans, LA
Though they're located in the Lower Ninth Ward, Hurricane Katrina hardly left its mark on the twin "Steamboat Houses" that boast some of the most fanciful architectural details in New Orleans. The lower floors are covered entirely in ceramic for waterproofing—it makes sense, given that flooding was commonplace in the early 20th century, when the homes were built by a riverboat pilot captain named Milton P. Doullut. Their design is said to have been inspired in part by the Japanese pavilion at the 1904 World's Fair, as well as by the steamboats that Doullut drove along the Mississippi River.
Edward DeRose Windmill Cottage, East Hampton, NY
While we can't confirm the rumor that Robert Downey Jr. is indeed the new owner of this iconic East Hampton abode, we have enjoyed the opportunity to peek inside by way of real estate listing photos. Featured in the movie Deathtrap, the house was originally built in the 18th century; the faux windmill was added by Edward DeRose in 1885 to mimic a typical East Hampton windmill. Four acres complete with a pool and tennis courts complete this dream property. Check out photos of the interior on HouseBeautiful.com.
Ravenel House, Charleston, SC
Choosing a favorite mansion along Charleston's idyllic East Battery is akin to picking a favorite child. Still, we can't help feeling just a tad partial to the Ravenel House (a.k.a. the "Pink Palace") with its double-decker porch, stately columns, extra-large gardens and pool. Used as a bed & breakfast until recently, the grande dame was sold in 2016 and is being converted back to a private home.
The Wedding Cake House, Kennebunk, ME
This pastel confection has been enchanting visitors to Southern Maine for nearly two centuries. But the beloved Kennebunk landmark wasn't always this fancy—its signature cake-like "frosting" was added a few decades after the home's original construction in 1825. It is said that the Gothic buttresses were inspired by the styling on the Duomo di Milano that the original owner, a shipbuilder, fell in love with during his travels to Italy.
The Pink Lady, Eureka, CA
This bright pink house in Eureka, CA is notable for its elaborate Queen Anne styling, its signature shade, and its adjacency to the celebrated William Carson Mansion—arguably America's grandest Victorian home (The Pink Lady was built as a wedding gift from Carson to his son). They might not build 'em like this anymore, but thanks to Airbnb, you can still experience a taste of yesteryear—the iconic home is now available as a vacation rental.
Gingerbread Cottages, Oak Bluffs, MA
We've fawned over these homes before, but we just can't seem to get enough of the 318 Victorian cottages that make up the "gingerbread village" in Oak Bluffs on Martha's Vineyard. The homes are dressed in the whimsical Carpenter Gothic style that was popular when the majority of them were built in the 1860s and 1870s. The district has been designated a National Historic landmark, but that doesn't mean it's out of reach; most of the homes are privately-owned, and many are available as vacation rentals.
Postcard Row, San Francisco, CA
No list of enviable private homes would be complete without mention of San Francisco's Painted Ladies (a.k.a. "The Seven Sisters") which line Steiner Street on the east side of Alamo Square. Featured in more television programs and ads than we could feasibly count (hey, '90s kids, remember Full House?) they're especially photo-worthy in the early evening, when the sunset casts a warm glow over the homes and the skyline behind them.
Rose Cottage, Nantucket, MA
There are few homes we don't covet on the island of Nantucket, but if pressed to pick a favorite, we'd have to agree with the locals: Rose Cottage is the stuff of dreams. The home is well-known to anyone familiar with the island; tourists pause to snap photos of it, painters do their best to capture its perfection, and those who summer on the island swear that it captures the essence of Nantucket. Originally built in the 1920s, the cottage was restored over a decade ago by designer Jeffrey Bilhuber.
Armour-Stiner House, Irvington, NY
For an all-too-brief period in the 1850s and 1860s, octagon houses were all the rage in America. A handful survive, but one notable example keeps Irvington, NY on the must-visit list of architecture buffs the world over. With its domed top and colorful shingles, the Armour-Stiner House has a decidedly carnival-like quality. It had fallen into a state of deterioration by the 1970s, but thanks to an exquisite restoration by preservation architect Joseph Pell Lombardi, the home shines brighter than ever today.
Jenne Farm, Reading, VT
Photographers can't seem to get enough of one of the most picturesque homes in America—especially in the fall, when the 460 acres that make up Jenne Farm take on the kind of dream-like appearance you tend to only see in movies. It's not surprising, then, that the farm has made a cameo in both Funny Farm and Forrest Gump, in addition to gracing the pages of Life, Yankee and Vermont Life magazines. You'll find plenty of places to stop for a photo op along the unassuming dirt road to leads to the home.
Morey Mansion, Redlands, CA
It is said that the ghosts of the David and Sarah Morey, the original owners of this circa 1890 Victorian estate in Redlands, CA, still haunt its corridors. (In all fairness, if we had the opportunity to live in such a place, we'd never want to leave, either.) Boasting a mansard roof, onion dome, and nearly 5,000 sq. ft. of interior space covered head-to-toe in ornately-carved woodwork, the home is often referred to as "America's Favorite Victorian."
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