Five storybook inspired home designs
There's something magical about storybook inspired home designs. They might not fit in perfectly with the rest of the world and you have to go far to try and find one, but these little architectural treasures can evoke the imaginations of both young and old.
Images of princesses and their castles have filled the imaginations of children around the world for decades, in fact with Disney posting record profits an entire dynasty was built on the world of princesses and magic.
Whether Disney fans are dreaming of a perfect life or simply looking for some fun to make those boring days pass by a little quicker, when the time came for them to grow up those images of castles stuck.
While most people let the dream of living in a castle remain a fantasy, a lucky few had the bank balances and dedication to build a home that was truly out of this world.
Built around the 13th Century, this French design is known as the Castle of the White queen, a fitting name for something predating most storybook myth and legend.
Although small and pre-dating Disney by around 700 years, this idillic piece of French architecture would be fitting for any locked up princess or brigade of small dwarfs.
More of a weekend retreat than a long term dwelling, this fantasy like home probably couldn't support a prince and his court or even Mickey Mouse, but that doesn't make this quaint design any less stunning.
For any big dreamers with a big family this Ukrainian storybook design overlooking the sea is certainly worth a look.
Large enough to house multiple bedrooms but still sporting an idillic turret for any budding damsel in distress, this beautiful castle is perched on a cliff to give stunning panoramic sea views.
Even for people without the dream of living in a storybook world, this mountain castle is still a piece of architecture to marvel at.
Yet for us Brits the Ukraine might seem a little bit too far away to indulge in a fantasy world once every few months. What you really need is a storybook inspired castle closer to home.
This Welsh tower might not have the craftsmanship of a storybook castle by the sea, but for any small children looking for a place to place to play this is the perfect close to home compromise.
For those with an imagination, Rappunzels tower in wales could actually be a glorified water tower anywhere in the UK, but if it were a storybook home then I could imagine any small child would have a field day playing with this minature castle.
Suitable for girls and boys alike, it might not be a storybook home but it certainly makes up for its lack of rooms with a world of opportunity.
The problem here is, how do you adapt this unique design into a suitable home?
If a small fantasy turret in the woods isn't right for you then this ready made Scottish storybook home could be the perfect compromise.
The perfect home for an evil witch or rather well off woodsman, this Scottish retreat is hidden from pyring eyes while still sporting a medium sized tower to inspire the imaginations of any small children.
While it might not be a castle, this storybook inspired design is certainly more in tune with the modern families needs and its bank balance.
Yet with homes like this in such short supply any parents looking to capture a sense of magic for their children or indeed themselves will most likely have to build a storybook inspired home from scratch.
For those of us with a limited budget and families that require more than just a great hall or an unaccessable room, then building a storybook home from scratch isn't as hard as you might think.
This final story book home is neither old nor expensive. With plans drawn up for around $1000, an American company called Storybook Homes actually designs enchanting cottages for adventurous parents on a daily basis.
This means once you buy a plan, you can build and adapt your very own home to get the best of both fantasy and reality.
Ok it might look odd in a city centre, but if you can find that perfect plot of land and try to refrain from adding too many gargoyles then there's no reason you can't live out your fantasy of having a fairy tale home.
If you have the space in your garden, why don't you try building a magical tree house or a pretty garden house instead?
You can find more storybook homes on our Pinterest page.