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Rooms with a View: 7 Homes with Architectural Windows

Luxury Defined spotlights a collection of homes, both contemporary and traditional, with stylish, striking window designs

There’s a reason they call them “picture” windows. Beyond bringing that vital daylight into an interior, great windows let us look out on the world, a welcome respite, when much of our day is spent indoors. They let the outdoors in, yet keep the elements out. Here, Luxury Defined presents homes with spectacular window designs which admit daylight while connecting us intimately to their surrounding space. Whether perched on a mountainside or at the edge of a lake, whether a penthouse in Manhattan or a villa in the Caribbean, these homes welcome in the light and the world. As Edith Wharton wrote, “Set wide the window. Let me drink the day.”

Shining Hand Ranch in Ashland, Oregon

Shining Hand Ranch, an idyllic 700-acre estate in southern Oregon, was built to honor and reflect the beauty of the surrounding landscape.

Shining Hand Ranch is a unique custom-built home surrounded by 700 private acres in the foothills of the Siskiyou and Cascade mountain ranges in southern Oregon. The 8,880-square-foot residence was handcrafted with accents of exotic wood and river rock to echo the organic flow of nature. The home is entered through dramatic Brazilian mahogany doors flanked by beautiful copper tree sculptures by local artist Russell Beebe. The foyer is adorned with a hardwood floor that seems to flow like a river. Farther along is a sunken living room with a rock garden, a hand-carved fireplace, and double glass doors and floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the views of the mountains. The kitchen has five custom skylights, sculptural windows and two sets of glass double doors that open to the stone patio. In the dining room, five large windows flood the space with ample light and bring in the views. The upstairs master suite is a treehouse-like retreat with a beautiful domed cedar ceiling and a wall of art-glass windows facing the valley. Awe-inspiring vistas are on show from nearly every vantage and the residence itself, which evokes the experience of walking through an enchanted woodland.

Contemporary Villa in Zeist, Netherlands

This sleek contemporary villa was inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s iconic Fallingwater estate. The 23,282-square-foot, multi-level structure has a jewel-like façade composed of double-height walls of glass framed in brushed-aluminum and white stone.

The pastoral village of Bosch en Duin, about an hour from Amsterdam, is the setting for this contemporary country estate. The centerpiece of the eight-acre property is a sleek contemporary villa measuring 23,282 square feet across seven levels. Netherlands-based architectural firm Slangen Hulsker Architecten based the design on Frank Lloyd Wright’s organic architecture. The jewel-like façade is composed of glass, brushed-aluminum, and white stone. At the entrance, a huge arcade crafted from Jerusalem Gold limestone is illuminated by an LED installation. The interiors are equally impressive. Atrium-style rooms with vast walls of glass capture views of the wooded grounds. Exposed walkways and balconies also bring the outdoors inward. The living room has a dramatic two-story window looking out to a tranquil pond. The wood-panelled library is also clad in glass. An elevator zips between the multi-level living spaces and the private quarters, which include a sumptuous master suite and separate guest apartment. A 20-seat home theater, billiards room, and wellness center with pool, spa, and gym are among the lavish amenities.

Point House on Parrot Cay, Turks and Caicos Islands

Point House is a magnificent beachfront estate on the highly sought-after private island of Parrot Cay in the Turks and Caicos archipelago. Throughout the home are oversized windows overlooking azure waters and white sands.

Point House, an ultra-contemporary masterpiece, is set in a secluded cove on the southwest side of Parrot Cay, a private island in the Turks and Caicos. Adjacent to a nature reserve, the 7,000-square-foot property offers unobstructed views of white sand beaches and turquoise seas through vast floor-to-ceiling windows and doors. The interior’s 30-foot-high ceilings create open, expansive spaces with white limestone floors, natural ebony and oak finishes and handcrafted furnishings from Bali. The oversized windows also reveal the inviting waters of the pool, decked with volcanic stone from Bali, leading to a sequestered beach with powdered sugar sand. The open living plan, featuring multiple seating areas and a large dining room, is served by a fully equipped kitchen. The main level includes two en suite bedrooms with landscaped outdoor showers. A third en suite bedroom is on the first floor. A fourth en suite bedroom, in a loft overlooking the main living areas below, has water views and a rooftop terrace. A shuttered indoor balcony provides privacy while inviting the flow of cooling ocean breezes. The fifth bedroom is nestled in the property’s botanical gardens and could be reimagined as a private staff residence, or converted into a gym, art or yoga studio.

Penthouse 51/52W at One Beacon Court, New York, New York

Penthouse 51/52W at One Beacon Court is a sky-high contemporary duplex designed by architectural legend Charles Gwathmey. The 9,000-square-foot residence has 400 linear feet of 12-foot-high windows that frame jaw-dropping views of Central Park, the Hudson and East Rivers, and the city skyline.

One Beacon Court in Midtown Manhattan is a triumph of contemporary architecture. Penthouse 51/52W is the only residential duplex in the building and the largest in the Midtown area. Soaring more than 700 feet above the city, the sky-high residence was redesigned with five bedrooms and six-and-a-half bathrooms by architectural legend Charles Gwathmey. The palatial 9,000-square-foot home features 400 linear feet of 12-foot-high windows showcasing northern, western, and southern exposures with views extending from the East River to the Hudson and from the Freedom Tower to the George Washington Bridge. There are separate floors for living and entertaining. The living room has awe-inspiring, 24-foot double-height ceilings and walls of windows. The living spaces also include a chef’s eat-in-kitchen, media and family rooms, a 2,000-square-foot master suite with dual closets and bathrooms, dual home offices, and separate staff quarters.

Erickson Ranch in Aspen, Colorado

Situated on 11.5 private acres at the base of Aspen’s famed Red Mountain, Erickson Ranch is the perfect example of architecture inspired by nature. Two-story windows provide an uninterrupted 180-degree view of the majestic mountain backdrop.

Erickson Ranch is a modern masterpiece surrounded by 11.5 acres of aspen- and pine-clad land at the base of Aspen’s famed Red Mountain. A meandering private drive through the trees arrives at this stunning residence of old barnwood siding mixed with rusted metal roofing, an ode to Aspen’s mining past, enhanced by two-story walls of glass and stucco under a unique curving roof flowing perfectly with the curve of the home’s mountain backdrop. Architect Harry Teague designed the 6,800-square-foot, seven-bedroom, five-and-a-half-bathroom home in three integrated modules which meld with its setting rather than dominate it. This allows for the epic living room with its vast two-story walls of windows, unique in that they meet at the corners, providing an uninterrupted 180-degree view of the natural majesty right outside. The dining room has a lowered ceiling to accommodate dinner conversation. A long gallery for art leads to a private office nook and a chef’s kitchen. The private quarters are defined by more intimate proportions yet still elegantly framing the magnificent mountain views.

Constantia Contemporary in Cape Town, South Africa

This chic contemporary residence is set like a jewel amid lush private gardens in South Africa’s Constantia Valley. Massive walls of glass capture mesmerizing views of the mountains and the sea.

This striking, remodeled contemporary residence, echoing the serene modernism of Le Corbusier and Philip Johnson, rests on 1.5 private acres in Cape Town’s Constantia wine region. The vast, open living spaces include intimate lounges and formal reception rooms, perfect for gatherings large or small, a dream gourmet kitchen, comfortable family spaces, and five en suite bedrooms. Floor-to-ceiling windows, skylights, and LED lighting illuminate each room. Sliding glass doors open to landscaped lawns. Hot summer days can be enjoyed by the outdoor pool from a veranda with 360-degree mountain and sea views. Guests can also be  accommodated in a separate, self-contained, four-bedroom cottage with an authentic thatched lapa pavilion with fireplace. The property also includes private trails and paths for horseback riding, running, and cycling.

Oceanfront Mansion in Ormond Beach, Florida

At this Florida beachfront mansion, a custom-designed wall of glass frames a panorama of sand, surf, and sky.

This grand mansion on Ormond Beach, along Florida’s Central Coast, offers lavish living spaces and panoramic ocean vistas. Multiple lots were combined to accommodate the expansive living and entertaining areas. Decorative moldings, Ionic columns, and marble fireplaces are among the stately Georgian-inspired details. These seamlessly blend with contemporary amenities, including an elevator. The heart of the home is the great room, which features a 26-foot wall of glass with a view of the columned portico, pool terrace, the beach, and the Atlantic Ocean beyond. In the formal dining room, an antique Baccarat crystal chandelier glimmers against the hand-painted silk walls. The wood-panelled library also has a custom chandelier and a cozy wood-burning fireplace. The Victorian-inspired kitchen features marble countertops, custom cabinetry, and a suite of contemporary appliances. There are six luxurious bedroom suites. Several bedrooms have breakfast bars and sea-view balconies, including the master suite. The staff quarters are housed in a separate apartment. The wings of the home are joined by an open bridge that offers views of the ocean to the east and the golf course to the west.