Homes With Spectacular Gardens
The newsthat a billionaire is constructing a version of Versailles in the D.C. area brings to mind the famous gardens of the original French estate. While only a small percentage of the One Percent can build or buy a mansion costing $20 million or one that has 20,000-plus square feet, there are many high-end homes on the market that come with majestic gardens.
The global real estate market has homes with garden styles named for many empires including classical and English formal, to modern and those without names. Luxury Portfolio International provided a selection of these homes with green and colorful outdoor spaces designed just for relaxation and appreciating nature’s bounty. Click ahead to see them.
By Colleen KanePosted 1 May, 2012
Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.
Price: $40 million
Bedrooms: 17
Bathrooms: N/A
Square footage: 16,000
The grounds of this mansion in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., are almost 40 acres. A tranquil part of that extensive outdoor space is occupied by these classic gardens. Inspired by the scenesin the paintings of Monet, the gardens have a Japanese foot bridge over a lily pond with Koi fish, as well as lilies and waterfalls. Also in the garden are a family barbecue area, a meditation space, a fire pit and an outdoor “reading room.”
The homeis in a gated community and has two guest houses, a gym, marble floors, as well as indoor-outdoor parking that can accommodate more than 20 vehicles.
Pinehurst, Texas
Price: $2.3 million
Bedrooms: 5
Bathrooms: 4 full, 3 partial
Square footage: 6,998
The eastern section of Texas has the same humid subtropical climate as neighboring Louisiana, making it amenable to growing many types of flowers and plants. As such, the gardens of this house include a lush variety of flora, as well as a pergola, greenhouse and lighting throughout the gardens. Palm trees surround the resort-like pool, which has a spa and fire pit area.
The housewas built in 1999, and has a trophy room and a two-story library. It was built with materials including imported hand-etched tile, Peruvian travertine columns and floors and iron doors.
Wiltshire, United Kingdom
Price: $4.259 million (approx.)
Bedrooms: 6
Bathrooms: N/A
Square footage: N/A
This limestone gothic manor house was once just the north wing of a much larger mansion that got demolished. The outdoor areas of this gated property include a chicken coop and run, a walled kitchen garden, a formal manicured garden as well as lawn areas and a terrace.
The homehas historic details including leaded windows, and newer features like an updated kitchen, a media room, a billiard room and an indoor pool.
Osterville, Mass.
Price: $5.995 million
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 3 full, 1 partial
Square footage: 6,495
This Tudor house is located in the Massachusetts gated golf community of Oyster Harbors. All rooms of the waterfront home have West Bay views, and there’s a dock allowing access to Nantucket Sound.
It’s a relatively modest-sized property at 1.65 acres, but features lovely horticultural details such as lattice-cut bushes, a small garden with pebble paths and a patio. The antique-looking ivy-covered round tower does a good job of disguising the fact that the homewas built in 1999.
Paris
Price: upon request
Bedrooms: 7
Bathrooms: 7
Square footage: 15,069 approx.
This Parisian home has one of the smallest properties in the collection, with just .82 acre, but makes good use of the space. Its modern French gardens perfectly complements the modern house structure.
Like the Gardens of Versailles, this villahas an “orangeraie” or orangery, which is a structure similar to a greenhouse where orange trees and other shrubs and plants are kept to survive the winter. A roof terrace on the house offers views of the Eiffel Tower.
Greenwich, Conn.
Price: $13.75 million
Bedrooms: 8
Bathrooms: 9 full, 4 partial
Square footage: 14,465
This Georgian mansion on just over 4 acres incorporates appreciation of the outdoors in numerous ways. In addition to the manicured hedge gardens that lead to the swimming pool and spa, the house has a 70-plus-foot verandah, a conservatory and a large sun room.
The kitchen was designed by Beverly Ellesley and has a 10-food granite island and a butler’s pantry as well as a glassed breakfast room that opens up to a terrace. The househas a dramatic barreled-ceiling reception hall and inlaid oak, parquet and marble flooring.
Waterkloof Ridge, South Africa
Price: $2.429 million
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 4
Square footage: approx. 13,993
Though this estate only has about half an acre of property, the hillside outdoor space has been attractively designed as terraced gardens with a pool, and offers spectacular views of Pretoria.
This Italianatemansion is located in a gated community. Built in 2007, it has a cement tiled roof, an elevator, built-in sound system, gym, and a wine cellar.
Mocksville, N.C.
Price: $5.75 million
Bedrooms: N/A
Bathrooms: N/A
Square footage: 8,200
This gated country estate is situated on an astoundingly sized parcel of nearly 650 acres, which includes pasture, hills, woods, and a lake. Closer to the house, a flower garden features a gazebo with rose trellises overlooking the lake.
The addition was designed by architect Louis Cherry and the homefeatures African wood walls cork floors, a yoga wall and a wine room.