Just outside Knokke-Heist, in the middle of a bird sanctuary, you will find The Bunkers . A former fortress, which the owners Margaux & Axel together with the help of architecture firm Govaert & Vanhoutte , interior designer Anversa and landscape architect Leon Van Haesebrouck have converted into a unique holiday home for 10 – 16 people. Absolute peace and quiet was central to the renovation, while the history of this place would not be lost .. The use of rough concrete, wood, sleek design and large windows ensure that this impressive piece of architecture, completely absorbed in the surrounding landscape of Belgian polders with former bunkers from WW I & II. The minimalist style with black / gray accents, give peace to the whole and let you become aware of this nostalgic landscape at every moment….. Photography : Tim van de Velde See also : https://house-diaries.com/barn-dei-mona-cozy-barn-style-retreat-minutes-from-woodstock/

The warm pink façade of Villa Delicious is cloaked in climbing plants and wild mimosa: up here, Nature is in charge. The rooftop terrace and sun-kissed garden both enjoy majestic views of the unspoilt natural surroundings. When the sun reaches its peak, take shelter in the cool of the villa’s chic interiors, with a welcoming atmosphere inspired by the traditions of Mediterranean hospitality.Gather the whole family around the huge wooden dining table, or around the brick fireplace. In the bathroom, the white pebbles are a nod to the island’s countless secret coves. In the bedrooms, wood-framed patio doors mean that you can enjoy the bucolic view from the comfort of the twin beds. You can book this fabulous villa here!!!!

Vora Villas is a 3-room boutique hotel that clings to the edge of a volcano crater on the Greek island of Santorini. Conceived in close collaboration with the client, the design, by K-Studio, is a unique and dramatic celebration of the inherent energy of island, its architectural traditions, and the intensity of the hotel’s crater-edge location. “Our brief was to design a small boutique hotel on a dramatic site on the edge of the volcano of Santorini.The client, a native of the island, had a vision and determination that drove the project from beginning to end, and gave us the opportunity to push the concept and its realisation to the very edge, in all senses”, say the architects.The result is a truly unique and dramatic design that celebrates the inherent energy of the client, the architectural traditions of the island, and the intensity of the hotel’s crater-edge location. Photography :…

In Piegaro, on the border with Tuscany and near Lake Trasimeno, you can stay in this traditional large country house by Special Umbria . The building is beautifully positioned with amazing views towards Tuscany. The interior of Mazzo is one of a kind and truly different from what you will normally find in an ordinary holiday apartment. The style can be described as ‘shabby chique’. Old looking furniture is combined with modern design and industrial lighting. Old wood has an important role in the entire design, as well as colors, which will be found in the fabrics you will see all around the apartment. See also :https://house-diaries.com/il-nido-a-villa-one-of-a-kind-in-umbria-italy/

Villa Kuro, a desert dwelling designed by Mini Inno, sits elevated on 3.6 acres in front of a boulder mountain (which is adjacent to thousands of acres of National Park land) with 270 degree views of the desert, vistas, mountains and city lights. The property is dotted with mature desert landscaping and Joshua Trees. There are multiple outdoor living areas including a private 600 square foot rock and cactus garden courtyard, a covered patio with outdoor dining, and amenities such as a salt water hot tub, outdoor shower and propane fire pit. The 1960’s mid-century style home has been extensively renovated inside and out, transforming it into a unique desert hideaway. The focus was to maximize indoor-outdoor living, with all rooms featuring sliders to the outdoors, and windows inside perfectly frame the views outside. The earthy interior evokes a calming and serene feeling by the use of natural materials throughout…

Imagine a place between world class design and nature: Casa Madera is one of the most incredible AirbnBs in Tulum or even in all Mexico. This stunning place was built without cutting even one tree, using local materials and it was decorated in a natural style. Everywhere you will find antique decor, linen textiles, a selection of beautiful books and one of the cutest kitchens… Enjoy it!!!

Mezzanine by Special Umbria, is a small antique property, just 30 sq m, part of of the ancient Hebrew quarter of Modica. The restoration of the small property has been inspired by the unique features of Arabic houses in the Medina, providing peaceful spaces in the heart of a busy town. It feels almost if you are part of a Moroccan Riad. Great attention has been given to the choice of materials, which are natural, ecological, and, above all, typical of the Sicilian tradition: stone walls, lime plasters, cane roof, stone and colorful tiled floors. Mezzanine is like a fairytale staying there and enjoying these views. In (quite) a few steps you enter the old town of Modica which is one of the well known Baroque towns in Sicily. From there you can also reach other interesting towns like Ragusa, Noto and Scicli easily as well as the beach.

This charming country guesthouse by Susan Burns Design Studio exudes charm and the sense of escaping the everyday with a series of light-filled spaces. The bare beams and French Provençal antiques are incorporated seamlessly throughout, while the hand-painted mural in the kitchen is an eye-catching standout. Susan’s style is very vintage, yet very sophisticated and relaxed. Enjoy it!!!! See also : https://house-diaries.com/an-english-country-house-by-susan-burns/

One of Studio Puisto’s designs stands in a coniferous forest in Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland. Emma Johansson and co-designers got the assignment to design the Arctic TreeHouse Hotel in August 2015. The next year in November, the unique luxury hotel with treetop views opened on the Arctic Circle. The inspiration for the accommodation concept – set on a steep natural slope – came from Nordic nature and culture as well as the magical world of SantaPark. A vision started to form: small individual accommodation buildings set in nature, their spirit highlighting characteristics of the area and creating an optimal setting for experiencing both nature and arctic mysticism. The suites that stand on stilts draw inspiration from a classic Finnish toy, “käpylehmä,” meaning pine cone cow. All suites have window walls facing north for viewing the Northern Lights and the surrounding forest in comfort. The wooden hotel won the first prize…

Surrounded by uncompromised views of the picturesque Gawdy Hall Estate and a 15th-century church, ‘Ivywood Cottage’ invokes a calm, restorative and enduring connection to its idyllic countryside location. Working within the bones of an existing Medieval build, it has been reimagined with luxurious warmth and thoughtful sensory experiences by studio Gabrielle. Drawing from the rich tonal beauty of the rural setting, organic surfaces such as natural plaster and warm timber are offset by fine metal detailing and tactile textiles, completing the manifestation of understated luxury.⁣ You can book this stylish, rural retreat here!!!

Asmundo di Gisira is located in an 18th century palace, in one of the four corners of Mazzini Square, near the Cathedral of Catania.The aim of the Studio Gum was the redevelopment and the transformation from noble residence to a special tourist accomodation, whose concept inspired by the myths and legends of the city of Catania is described through a mixture of architecture, design and memory that makes the user immerse in an authentic experience.The common areas, the reception, the breakfast room, a lounge bar and the central courtyard are inspired by the legend of Billonia, a young and beautiful florist. Here everything symbolizes the relationship between the young woman and the gardens, starting with the painting by the Catania painter Sergio Fiorentino, the decorations on the walls of the Swedish artist Daniel Egnéus or the work of Rossana Taormina from Palermo for the lounge bar. The six rooms with…