​​​​​​​The Mushroom House, by any other name, is still just as striking. So whether you call it the Hobbit House, the Flintstone House, or the Smurf House (as many of the locals do) one thing is certain and it’s that this Bethesda, Maryland home is unlike anything else you’ve ever seen. Although originally built in 1923, the house didn’t adapt its legendary exterior until it was remodeled in 1973 by futuristic architect, Roy Mason, who fully realized the Mushroom House’s J.K. Tolkien- potential with his one-of-a-kind design. Now, after being fully renovated by the current owner, Brian Vaughn, the 5,500 square foot home is back on the market for $1.5 million.
With six bedrooms, four baths, and an unforgettable architectural style, the quirkiness of the Mushroom House runs throughout the property. The whimsical archways, mushroom-like vaulted ceilings and of course the imaginative roofs, create a fantasy ambiance that assists the Mushroom House in making an impression onto all who see it.
But Vaughn’s upgrades didn’t stop at modernizations. The current owner also added his own custom and structural finishes, which emphasized the aesthetic of the home. After reinforcing the polyurethane shell that tops the house, Vaughn went on to add hand-scraped teak acacia flooring, striped hickory-grain stair risers, and custom blown glass lighting, according to the Jill Schwartz Group.
The original tiles, skylights, and stained glass, which may still be found in the home, along with the original 1973 exterior design, contribute to the fantasy and uniqueness of this property. Truly one-of-a-kind, the Mushroom House is the perfect home for a family looking to blend practicality with fantasy.
