It would be pretty boring if all homes looked the same, which is why we're celebrating some of the world's most unusual properties. From properties dressed floor-to-ceiling in black to mesmerising mansions that appear plucked from the pages of Dracula, these ghoulishly gorgeous Gothic homes are sure to bring out your dark side. Click or scroll, if you dare...
When famous tattoo artist Kat Von D listed her Gothic mansion in January 2022, the property went viral almost immediately – but not because of the home's dramatic façade or stunning interior. The house mainly gained interest because of its blood-red swimming pool. Let's take a tour and check out this seriously cool garden feature!
The magnificent mansion lies in the Hancock Park neighbourhood of Los Angeles, California, and was purchased by Von D in November 2016 for $6.5 million (£5.3m). The three-storey Queen Anne Victorian was built in 1896 by the American businessman, Isaac Newton Van Nuys. Amazingly, the beautiful home was actually picked up and moved to its current location in 1915, by Isaac's son, J. Benton Van Nuys. Spanning 12,565 square feet, it's overflowing with striking design elements and Gothic décor.
There's a grand Gothic Victoriana entrance salon, a mesmerising ballroom, a timber-clad library, a dark and dramatic kitchen, a formal dining room, 13 impressive bedrooms and ten bathrooms. Key design details include the home's antique furnishings, decorative ceilings, stained-glass windows, crimson red accents, velvet drapery, gilded elements and parquet flooring – not to mention its statement wallpapers, some of which are decorated with bats. There's no denying this home is Halloween-ready!
Yet it's all about the backyard! The estate is enclosed by black and gold railings and boasts a stunning landscaped garden, as well as that ultra-cool, blood-red pool. Far from being a gimmick to attract buyers, it's clear from Von D's Instagram that the pool is a permanent fixture. The spooky home hit the market for a cool $15 million (£12.3m) but was later reduced to $12.5 million (£10.2m). Despite its popularity, the property failed to sell and is still available right now.
This gorgeous period home lies in the city of Berkeley, California, and quickly became a highly popular listing when it hit the real estate market in August 2021. Originally marketed for $1.9 million (£1.5m), it was soon removed from the market before reappearing with a bumped-up price tag of $2.6 million (£2.2m) in April 2022. The following month the house sold for a little over the asking price, and we're not at all surprised, because this pad is serious #housegoals.
Originally constructed in 1898, the modern home has undergone a spectacular renovation, bringing it into the 21st century while remaining sympathetic to its origins. Today, the custom-designed Victorian, which stretches 2,240 square feet across three floors, showcases classical details alongside sleek contemporary touches that were influenced by both farmhouse and Scandinavian design.
Perfect for bringing out your inner goth, the home's interior design is mostly black, with chic hardwood floors, soaring ceilings, statement light fixtures and bronze switches adding to its sophistication. The dark kitchen is perhaps the property's finest space, thanks to its marble surfaces and sleek, handle-less storage units. The space is separated from the living room via a floor-to-ceiling, double-sided fireplace formed from concrete – the ultimate modern accessory.
Elsewhere you’ll find four large bedrooms, three bathrooms, a gorgeous home office, a renovated attic space, a mudroom, a dining room and a laundry space. There’s also several exterior balconies that overlook the lovely backyard, where a swimming pool, play zone and hot tub can be found. Whether you're a fan of black walls and furnishings or not, there's no denying this Gothic townhouse is devilishly enticing.
Nicknamed 'Goth House', this all-black beauty in Lincoln, Illinois, has a seriously cool dark side. The unusual octagon-shaped home was built in 1993 and boasts an exterior covered with deep black siding, tiles and windows. As for the interior, this weird and wonderful home will take your breath away...
Inside, the 1,547-square-foot home is decorated from top to bottom with paint and furnishings in the darkest hues the homeowner could get their hands on. Far from being a Gothic paradise, though, the listing agents ME Realty suggested that the owners were aiming for a "very modern, clean, and unique look" – something that they definitely achieved!
The beautiful black home has no square rooms and the main floor benefits from a large foyer, an open-plan living and dining area and a galley kitchen with granite countertops. Head up the home’s spiral staircase and you’ll find two bedroom and two bathrooms. The master suite boasts a soaring cathedral ceiling and a stunning monochrome bathroom with a double vanity and tiled walk-in shower.
The master suite is the ultimate sanctuary for sleeping, thanks to its ample skylights and blackout blinds. There are three separate exterior decks, while the half-acre garden offers an attached garage, a pergola and a firepit. Sleek, sultry and undeniably unique, this is a real showstopper! The property landed on the market in December 2021 and sold in March 2022 for $260,000 (£213k), which was $10,000 (£8.2k) over the asking price.
Considered one of the most-photographed homes in the world, this incredible piece of architecture not only has a one-of-a-kind facade, but an amazing history. After making his fortune as a redwood lumber baron, William Carson commissioned the dramatic Gothic-style Carson Mansion in 1885. It lies on a prominent lot in the Old Town historic district of Eureka, California, and has quickly become an iconic attraction within the city.
A fine example of Victorian design, the four-storey, 18-room residence boasts a soaring tower, while its aesthetic references Gothic, Italian and French architecture. Inside, things are equally as dazzling. Colourful 19th century artistry can be found throughout, including the ornate central staircase that lies in the foyer, with its mahogany frame and vibrant stained glass panels. Other details include oak and cherry mouldings, carved onyx fireplaces, gilt mirrors and period wallpapers.
According to sources, the house spans over 16,200 square feet and housed three generations of the Carson family until it was sold in 1950 for just $35,000 (£29k). In the 1940s, the residence had been in danger of being demolished when the last of the Carson family vacated Eureka. Since then, the mansion has been masterfully restored to its original splendour, and transformed into an esteemed private members' institution known as The Ingomar Club.
Luckily, the new owners retained many of the home's most impressive fixtures, including the original oak table and carved fireplace mantel found in the dining room. Carson had the dining set designed and the ceiling painted an extravagant metallic gold. Even to this day, the mummified mansion continues to capture America’s imagination and several replicas have been produced, including the Disneyland Railroad tower, which was inspired by the exterior of the Carson Mansion.
You'd be forgiven for taking one look at this spooky house and feeling the hairs on the back of your neck standing up. But once you step over the threshold, the beautiful black abode is actually extremely inviting. Let's take the tour and discover the history behind this eye-catching residence.
The historic home was built in 1899 by famed Central Park architect, Calvert Vaux. The property was designed for the prominent Hudson River School painter, Jervis McEntee, who used the house as both his living quarters and his studio. Located in the West Chestnut heritage area of Kingston, New York, the property is just 90 minutes away from Manhattan and yet benefits from plenty of privacy and seclusion.
Inside, the 3,402-square-foot home has four bedrooms, three bathrooms and quirky living areas filled with original details and distinctive design elements. The main entrance boasts tall ceilings and plenty of natural light, while the sunroom, formal dining room, kitchen and living room offer wide plank floors, exposed brick walls, built-in bookshelves and vintage fireplaces. Despite its age, the home has been meticulously redesigned to meet modern needs.
The home's original features are complemented by contemporary furnishings, high-end appliances and luxurious finishes. For example, the primary bathroom offers a soaking tub, while the attic bedroom features beautiful dormer windows. Other plus points include the home’s wrap-around porch, backyard hot tub and alfresco kitchen. There’s even a ground floor, one-bedroom apartment with its own entrance. The house was listed for sale in March 2022 and by June had sold for $789,000 (£646k).
This sophisticated single-storey home is positioned in the Melbourne suburb of Northcote, Australia. Attractive and stylish in equal measure, this all-black residence is nowhere near as scary as it might first appear.
The home's exterior is finished with black siding and three peaked roofs, while the inside is light-filled, modern and entirely inviting. Everywhere you look, you'll spot high-end fixtures and luxurious furnishings, thanks to a recent internal renovation. There's an entrance hall, a chic living room, a black kitchen with stainless steel appliances, a dining room, family room, five bedrooms and three bathrooms. Many of the rooms are decorated in monochrome, for a sophisticated Gothic twist.
The on-trend bathrooms also offer a monochrome aesthetic, thanks to their glistening floor-to-ceiling tiles and crisp white sanitaryware. Other plus points include the home's skylights, beamed ceilings, white-washed wood panelled walls, dark hardwood floors, internal glass and steel-framed sliding doors, which leads out to the garden.
How about this for a beautiful backyard? The exterior space is perhaps the home's best asset. The lovely garden is home to an inviting, covered entertaining space, finished with all-weather blinds, a barbecue grill and a fireplace. There's also a two-bedroom, two-bathroom annexe, which would make for a dreamy holiday home. There's nothing scary about that!
With a name like The Witch House, it's easy to understand why this formidable residence has gained somewhat of a reputation. Located in iconic Salem, Massachusetts, the property was once the home of Jonathan Corwin, one of the judges involved in the Salem witch trials of 1692. As one of the most important historical buildings in America, it's also the only structure in the city with direct ties to the now infamous witch hunt era.
The property was built in around 1675 and Corwin snapped it up. 16 years later he took on a crucial role in the witch hunt. More than 200 people were accused of being a witch. 13 of those were found guilty by numerous judges, while 19 were executed for their supposed crimes. This house has inadvertently become synonymous with the huge and shocking miscarriage of justice that occurred between February 1692 and May 1693.
Today, the property is a museum that's open seven days a week for self-guided tours. As soon as visitors step inside, they're instantly transported back to the 17th century, thanks to the wonderful preserved state of the building. Through its architecture, furnishings and trinkets, all from Corwin's era, those brave enough to head inside will be able to gain a deeper understanding of what life was like when the witch trials took place.
The rooms are hauntingly lived-in, with this bedroom still boasting its linen (and is that a Buffy the Vampire Slayer-style stake on the bed?), the kitchen table still laid with crockery and cups, and the interior details seeming as if they haven't been touched in centuries. Although eerie, this important historical home is undoubtedly special.
No, you're not seeing double! This impressive home is actually a near-perfect replica of The Witch House and can be found in Sandwich, Massachusetts, around two-and-a-half hours away from the original. While the OG property dates back to the 17th century, this modern interpretation was completed in 1984, but you'd be forgiven for not spotting the difference...
While the exterior is decorated with the same black timber cladding and three peaked roofs, the inside offers low ceilings with wooden beams, large brick fireplaces, natural wood floors and elegant lattice windows – just like the original Salem house.
Some of the rooms are far more modern though, such as the kitchen. Though its units could do with updating, the room's vaulted ceiling and French doors add a contemporary edge to the space. We're sure with the right renovation project, this kitchen could be pretty great! Elsewhere, there's a huge home office, numerous bedrooms and bathrooms, and an idyllic backyard with a lush lawn and mature trees.
There are plenty of spooky elements to the house and we can certainly imagine the place being haunted. There's a rather off-putting sign, swinging from the wall outside, that says 'The Witch Is in', while the living room boasts an unusual door that's located in the middle of a high wall, leading to nowhere. The authentic replica was listed for sale in late 2018 and sold for $725,000 (£594k). We wonder if the house came with a ghost thrown in...
Aptly named the Winchester Mystery House, this colossal mansion in San Jose, California, is often described as one of the strangest homes in America – and for very good reason! With a long and fascinating history, the unusual house was extended and renovated over a 36-year period, but to this day it remains unfinished. So what happened and how did this dream home turn into a real estate disaster?
The impressive stately home was bought in 1885 by Sarah Winchester, the heir to a gun manufacturing firm. The original property was a fairly nondescript eight-bedroom farmhouse, but the wealthy Winchester decided to turn it into something a little more lavish. By the time she passed away in 1922, the property had become a vast 161-room mansion that extended 24,000 square feet. Apparently, Winchester employed a team of contractors to work day and night on the house, spending a reported $5.5 million (£4.5m) in the process.
Much intrigue surrounds the house and in 1924, famous illusionist Harry Houdini visited the residence and dubbed it 'The Mystery House', which helped elevate the property to icon status. Today, Winchester Mystery House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and operates as a museum. Inside, visitors can take in the home's unusual interior design and network of shadowy passages, twisting staircases and clandestine doors.
Rumour has it that Winchester’s obsession with the number 13 influenced many of her odd design decisions. There are 13 steps on each staircase, 13 panels in every wall and 13 lights in each chandelier. She's also said to have believed she was haunted by the spirits of the those killed by the Model 1873 rifle – one of the most popular guns produced by her husband’s company. The weird fake staircases and doors that lead nowhere are said to have been installed to confuse these malevolent ghosts.
There's no denying that this imposing Gothic mansion is one of the finest historic homes we've ever seen. Standing proud on a beautifully landscaped, double corner lot in Stillwater, Minnesota, The Castle House has quickly become one of the most iconic homes in the city. From its all-black exterior to its four-storey central spired tower, this fairytale residence is one that Cruella de Vil, Maleficent and The Evil Queen would be proud to call home.
The romantic Gothic revival, Second Empire Victorian home was constructed in 1872 for city attorney, Minnesota Senator and US Representative, James Castle. Castle is said to have been influenced by similar mansions found in Washington, DC, and the home was expertly crafted to meet his exacting standards. In 2015, the home's then owners undertook a four-year, award-winning home renovation, turning the historic mansion into a juxtaposition of old and new.
The 3,770-square-foot residence boasts gorgeous living spaces, decorated with refinished hardwood floors, ornate fireplaces, oversized sash windows, antique furnishings and quirky light fixtures. The previous owners retained the home’s original colour schemes, adding vintage photographs to the walls, giving the impression that nothing much has changed in more than 150 years. There’s a light-filled hallway, a formal living room, a stunning chef’s kitchen, four bedrooms and three-and-a-half bathrooms.
The home also has a few added extras, including three covered porches, a large second floor deck that sits above the restored front porch, and a secret underground tunnel that no doubt harbours plenty of secrets. If only walls could talk! The property was listed for sale in June 2019 and quickly sold for $765,000 (£627k), which we can't help but think is an absolute steal. If living like Dracula is wrong, when we don't want to be right!
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