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| HOUSES THAT DON'T SEEM REAL, BUT ARE Is beauty in the eye of the beholder? These 8 ugly houses answer that age-old question with a resounding yes. Despite some odd proportions, strange building materials, and off-the-wall colors, these prideful homes have redeeming qualities that endear them to their owners. For one, they’re all unique. And in this cookie-cutter world, that’s saying a whole lot! Which is your favorite?  JSome1 A House that Rocks If you’re looking for a rock-solid investment, how about this home in Portugal? Situated between two giant boulders, the house walls are formed of mortared masonry, and the living area is covered by concrete tile roofing. Fireproof, windproof, and impervious to insects, a house like this might qualify you for lower homeowner insurance rates.  AirplaneHome.com It’s a Bird! It’s a Plane! It’s My Home! Insect-proof, fireproof, and able to withstand 575 mph winds, this Boeing 727 features more than 1,000 square feet of living area, and there are plenty of storage solutions in the cargo hold and in the overhead compartments. The jet body cost about $100,000 (without engines). Moving the decommissioned jet to its final resting place, and outfitting it for living cost another $100,000.  ColdWarMissileSilo.com Make Homes, Not War! Can your home survive a direct nuclear strike? This one can. Made from a decommissioned missile silo in upstate New York, it’s one of the strongest structures ever built. The 2,300 square feet, below-ground portion includes a full kitchen, entertainment center, and two private suites. Entrance is gained via an 1,800 square foot log home on the surface, and there’s a private runway. Buy-in price? About $750,000.  Peggy Asbury Horton Hears a House Choosing the right colors for your exterior paint job is critical to preserving your home’s value, unless you happen to think like Dr. Seuss, in which case just about anything goes. This bright and fantastical house is located in (where else?) North Pole, Alaska, where a bit of colorful whimsy is a welcome sight.  Robert Elzey A House Out Standing in its Field With its multiple balconies, twisting staircases, and oddly shaped rooms, this whimsical house in Wyoming is a local curiosity. Although it’s no longer occupied, the original owner/builder used locally harvested logs and plenty of salvaged building materials to produce a one-of-the-kind cowboy mansion that towers above the plains.  Gordon Borman People in Glass Houses... These homeowners are obviously into self-reflection. Clad in pieces of glass and mirror, this enlightened folk art cottage in Florida requires a lot of window cleaning. For a more maintenance-free exterior, try vinyl or fiber-cement siding.  Norma Wilson This House is a Real Steel Think twice before you bang your head against the walls of this Gainsville, FL home. Built from salvaged steel shipping containers ($2,500-$5,000 each), this 2,200 square foot flight of fancy features three bedrooms and two and a half baths. It’s fireproof, sustainable (repurposed materials!), and you sure won’t have to worry about termites. By: John Riha |
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