It's not easy or cheap to follow your dreams.

Not only does it take imagination and a full wallet to build an

"unusual" type of home, it also takes courage, accommodating

neighbors, and a competent contractor.

To commemorate this week's dvd release of The Hobbit, let's take a look
at some Hobbit-inspired homes built by owners who followed their dreams.

Home Chunk

Located in Chester County, Pennsylvania, this home was

inspired by Bilbo Baggin's house.  It is home to the owner's

collection of J.R.R. Tolkien's books and memorabilia.

This next Hobbit-inspired home is truer to Tolkien's
concept with a moss covered roof and less modern interior:

 The Digital Journal article shows the owner's step-by-step

process to make their fantasy home a reality.

How much fun would it be to have one of these in your back yard?!

House Logic

These hobbit houses, located in Matamata, New Zealand,

were actually used in the filming of The Hobbit.

The Shire of Montana was featured on an hgtv episode entitled

"Home Sweet Home" and is actually a privately owned lodge,

open to the public.  

The Shire

 

Visit The Shire's web site to view more photos

and possibly reserve your next fantasy vacation! 

If you're a hobbit fan but don't want to go to the expense
and permanence of duplicating one of their houses, you could
build a simpler model with - what else? - books!

Source:  Kevin Timmons

For those Hobbit fans who are less adventurous, a beautiful miniature
sculpture might suffice.  The one shown below was created by English
artist Chris Guise and depicts, in startlingly realistic detail, the charm
of Tolkien's imaginary dwellings.

Twisted Sifter

Here in north Alabama a hobbit house might actually be just the
housing solution we need, given our area's propensity for unannounced
tornadoes and storms.  Plus, wouldn't it be loads of fun to live in one?