This dramatic desert house stands out for all the right reasons. Located in the heart of the Yucca Valley in California, the contemporary crib is surrounded by a stunning 440 acres of desert terrain and almost looks like an extension of the angular rocks it's nestled amongst.

The ultra-modern home was designed by the architects at Oller & Pejic, who chose to create a seamless connection with the landscape by submerging part of the structure into the ground itself. According to the architect, the concept was to create a home that would be a “shadow on the landscape, the negative of the mountain that was dynamited 40 years ago to clear the building pad”.

Spanning 1,550 square feet, the home is effortlessly cool with its metallic interior palette, modern furnishings and walls of frameless glass. Despite being built in a rather unusual location, the modern home has all the creature comforts you could ever need. There's an open-plan lounge, a sleek kitchen, a media room, two bathrooms and a dining space with a view.

Listed with Airbnb, the home's two all-black bedrooms create the perfect environment for a deep night's sleep. Both spaces offer direct access to the patio, where a heated swimming pool and hot tub can be found. There's also a sunbathing deck, a firepit, an alfresco entertaining area and an outdoor shower that overlooks the desert. Bliss!

Sleek, spacious and sensationally styled, this contemporary mansion can be found in Baulkham Hills on the outskirts of Sydney, Australia, and its bold black design proved incredibly popular with house-hunters. When it went up for auction in the summer of 2021, it smashed the suburb's property records to become the most expensive home the area had ever seen, selling for just shy of AUD$3.1 million. That's $2.2 million (£1.6m).

Decked out in black both inside and out, the distinctive property is certainly one-of-a-kind. Standing proud at 8,159 square feet, the custom-built luxury mansion was constructed in 2018 and was inspired by a Balinese resort. Inside, it boasts statement furnishings, colourful LED lighting, opulent chandeliers, floor-to-ceiling walls of glass and integrated Bang & Olufsen speakers.

The sophisticated home features an imposing entrance hall, a snug family room, an open-plan living area, a dining room, a kitchen with a built-in wine closet, four bedrooms and three bathrooms. Throughout, you’ll find high-end home features, including underfloor heating and towering ceilings. The master suite is a true oasis, complete with a huge walk-in wardrobe, sitting area, ensuite and balcony – all, of course, in an all-black palette.

The interior flows effortlessly into the outdoor living spaces, where a resort-style backyard can be found. Adorned with cool outdoor lighting, manicured gardens, a swimming pool, heated spa, gym and a pool-side cabana, this home has it all! 

A dark, dazzling residence nestled in the woodlands, the Forest Home in Healdsburg, California is a modern masterpiece designed by architect Douglas Burnham. Located on 40 acres, its all-black wood exterior makes quite the statement, but despite its dramatic appearance, the home's interior offers an array of bright and airy living spaces – quite the contrast!

Previously on the market with Sotheby's International Realty, the stilt house comprises a series of interconnecting cabins linked by exterior balconies. Walls of sliding doors help to create a seamless flow between the indoor and outdoor spaces, while the home's elevated position offers stunning views through the forest.

A large living room and kitchen draped in warm cedar cladding make up the main hub of the property. Elsewhere, you'll find three bedrooms housed in individual pods, each with a terrace that opens out into the tree canopy. Rustic, homely décor is balanced out with high-end appliances and contemporary furnishings for the perfect balance of old and new.

Complete with a sunken tub, the amazing ensuite bathroom benefits from unobstructed views of the woodlands. There's also a bunk house that sleeps six people thanks to pod-like beds embedded in the wall. Outside, the garden isn't short of luxury amenities either, from the 42-foot swimming pool and hot tub to the cold plunge pool. 

This beautiful modern barn can be found on a pristine 16-acre plot in Little Hartley, New South Wales, just two hours from central Sydney. The architecturally-designed residence features an exterior of glass and modern black cladding, plus a rustic interior with a luxurious finish.

Known as the Black Barn, the property is light-filled and inviting, with a cool natural timber palette, black furnishings and steel accents, while the home's high position and ample windows allow for unobstructed views all the way across to the Blue Mountains and the rugged peaks of the Great Dividing Range. 

Available to rent on Airbnb, the luxurious remote property comes equipped with everything you could need. There's an open-plan living room, dining space and kitchen with a double-height ceiling, finished with exposed beams. We'd be hard-pressed to choose between curling up in this beautiful interior and exploring the incredible landscape outside!

The home's stunning master suite can be found on the ground floor and includes a queen-sized bed, ensuite bathroom and stunning views. Upstairs, there are two more bedrooms, including a cool kid’s room called The Hayloft, thanks to its large sliding barn doors that open up to the living area. Outside, you'll also find an alfresco dining space, a barbecue and an in-ground firepit for cosy nights under the stars.

This cool and compact wood cabin can be found on the rugged Isle of Skye, off Scotland's northwest coast. Known as Black h, the property was cleverly designed to not only withstand the area's extreme weather conditions, but to complement the rugged surrounding landscape.

Listed for rental on Airbnb, the wonderful wooden house has a sleek, streamlined frame made from timber and glass. Architecturally designed, it's the perfect hideout for two and features jaw-dropping views with all the natural wonders of the island right on its doorstep.

Perfect for anyone looking to escape the rat race, the home is described on Airbnb as offering "spacious minimalism" – and we think that sums it up perfectly. Inside, you'll find stylish living spaces decked out with neutral colours and pared-back modern furnishings. There's a broken-plan lounge, a kitchen, one bedroom and a single bathroom. 

There's also an unusual multi-level floor plan that makes the most of the outlook from the front and rear. The home's minimalist design reflects what's going on outside, too. Its black-clad walls perfectly mimic the home's façade, while the light timber accents create a visual connection with the grasslands beyond.

A playful touch was given to this modern mansion in Melbourne, Australia, when it was clad in stunning black slate shingles. Located in the upmarket suburb of Kew, the palatial property was designed by the team at Austin Maynard Architects. The striking residence was completed in 2017, and despite its ultra-modern appearance, it was actually influenced by the traditional Edwardian, Federation and Victorian homes commonly found in the area.

But that wasn't the only source of inspiration for the architects. Austin Maynards' clients wanted to create a house that they could live in for at least 25 years – one that would grow with the family. Therefore, the property needed to be able to adapt as their children aged, as well as comfortably accommodate their parents at a later date.

The result is an adaptable, multigenerational home with sleek, open-plan rooms that can be used for different purposes over the decades. The house boasts numerous linked units with their own distinct personalities, thanks to the use of differing slate patterns. Charles House boasts a living room on the ground floor that could become a student den or a granny annexe in the future. The self-contained space has its own bathroom, as well as direct, wheelchair-friendly access to the garden. 

Upstairs, the kids' bedrooms are connected via a sliding wall, but can also be closed off when needed, providing privacy for the angsty teenagers of the future. The master suite is separated from the kids’ space, visually and physically, thanks to a suspended bridge. What's more, the house is entirely sustainable and comes kitted out with bulk insulation, solar power, rainwater collection, double glazing and adjustable sun shading.

Known as Moonshine Digs, this striking A-frame cabin features a slick black exterior and a bright orange front door. The remodelled 1960s Airbnb retreat is nestled on an acre of land in a gated community close to Ronald, Washington, and comes with endless woodlands and walking trails waiting to be explored.

Step inside and you'll find a snug, rustic interior, with a natural material palette, black accents and retro-inspired furnishings. There's a lounge, a dining space and a small kitchen that's kitted out with the essentials. There are plenty of spots to curl up with a book, while the wood-burning stove will keep you toasty even on the coldest nights.

Head upstairs and you'll find two lofted bedrooms with stunning vaulted ceilings and natural wood walls – not to mention picture windows that overlook the woodland outside. Even the bathroom is an effortlessly stylish space, thanks to its vibrant yellow wall tiles and sleek black accessories. 

Through the interior, the cabin features plenty of vintage homewares that will fill you with nostalgia, including a record player, vintage board games and an old-school cocktail set. Outside, residents of the cabin can snuggle up around the outdoor firepit or soak up the stars from the comfort of the hot tub, plus there's private access to Cle Elum Lake across the road.

This high-altitude home is secluded in the depths of the Rocky Mountains, close to the town of Golden, British Columbia. Nestled beside the Blaeberry River, the rural retreat is the perfect option for those looking to get off-grid and immerse themselves in nature.

The ultra-modern rental cabin was designed and constructed by the experts at Form and Forest and has a sleek charcoal exterior, a striking sloping roofline and double-height expanses of glass. Far from blending in with its surroundings, this home is all about standing out.

The contemporary cabin features a spacious living room with a vaulted ceiling and a wood-burning fireplace, as well as a dining space, two bedrooms with queen-size beds and a sleeping loft that’s perfect for kids. The home's simple white and black colour palette allows the scenery outside to do all the talking, while its modern furnishings create a sophisticated welcome.

When it comes to cooking, there's a fully equipped kitchen as well as a barbecue outside. What's more, thanks to the cabin's swathes of windows, almost every room benefits from 180-degree views of the forest, river and mountains, so a stunning outlook is never far from sight.

Amazingly, this beautiful black house was built from an old shipping container. Known as The Lily Pad, the picture-perfect property is positioned inside Ohio's Hocking Hills State Park, and is surrounded by 30 pristine acres of woodland.

The tiny home has a stylish interior, a stunning garden and an idyllic covered porch, complete with a swing bed, a hot tub and a grill. It may be a pocket-sized property, but this innovative upcycled home certainly doesn't scrimp on luxury amenities.

The tiny shipping container home features compact, light-filled living spaces with plenty of contemporary touches. There's a snug lounge, a kitchen, a bedroom and a bathroom. One of the property's coolest additions is its motorised glass garage door. When closed, it allows plenty of light to filter inside, and when opened it connects the interior with the covered deck outside. 

A tranquil, inviting space, the bedroom has a calming all-white colour scheme and a huge picture window that allows for unobstructed landscape views of the woodland beyond. Fitted with heating and air-conditioning, the property is perfect for year-round living. 

From the outside, The Airigh at the Black House keeps its secrets close to its chest thanks to its minimalist charred-timber exterior, which takes on an almost fortress-like appearance. However, inside, the rental home hides a cosy and contemporary interior. Let's take a closer look...

Nestled on a picturesque plot in the village of Ardvasar, near the southern end of the Sleat peninsula on the Isle of Skye, the compact and cosy cabin was designed by award-winning architects Dualchas. The floor plan includes sleek, stripped-back living spaces equipped with everything you could need.

There's an open-plan living room with a beautiful kitchen and dining zone, along with one bedroom and one bathroom. Huge picture windows frame the scenery outside, while wood-burning stoves keep residents nice and toasty, even during Scotland's harsh winters. 

Step outside and you can enjoy your morning coffee or evening tipple while soaking up views of the Sound of Sleat, all the way towards the mountains of Knoydart. Located just a few minutes' walk from the Armadale ferry terminal, it's the perfect compromise between convenience and seclusion.

Positioned in Griffith, a suburb of Canberra, Australia, this sleek modern farmhouse has all the hallmarks of a dream home. Aptly named The Black House, the property was custom-designed by the team at Martin O’Toole Architects in 2020 and was previously on the market with Belle Property.

Inspired by a rural homestead, the farmhouse has all the latest modern touches, as well as a stunning open-plan interior that's both light-filled and cosy. With soaring cathedral ceilings, light European oak floors, feature fireplaces, extensive glazing and plenty of tactile textures, the living spaces are breathtaking.

The single-storey property spans a very generous 3,702 square feet and comes equipped with a large, open-plan living room, dining area and kitchen, plus four bedrooms and three bathrooms. As well as being beautifully designed, the property is also eco-friendly and filled with smart home tech. A rainwater tank provides the property with fresh water, while the home's secure entry gates are controlled by an internal intercom system and smartphone app.

Outside, the house features an idyllic backyard, equipped with an in-ground swimming pool, a lawn, a firepit, sunbathing deck and an outdoor shower. The 10,053-square-foot garden is topped off with an incredible outdoor kitchen, with a built-in barbecue and bar – perfect for making the most of Australia's enviable climate. 

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