There's something to be said about putting your personal stamp on your home. Creating a place that speaks to your unique style.
But it's possible to go too far.
And we're not talking about bright yellow kitchen cabinets or black and white striped walls (although we don't recommend the stripes - way too hard to cover!).
We're talking about homes and buildings that are so out there they've crossed over the line from unique to novelty and, sometimes, just plain weird. These seven structures take the cake for over-personalization. Or perhaps they take the dog (is that a thing?).
1. It is here in Cottonwood, Idaho, where a beagle-shaped inn built in 1997 and named Sweet Willy is doggone different.
For more buildings that look like animals, click here.
2. For those that just can't get enough of their favorite name brand, this home in Mexicali, Mexico shows you how it's done. Or not done. Or something.
Truth is, as much as we love us some Louis Vuitton, we much prefer it hanging from our arm.
3. Pick a color. Any color. No, we meant one. Two maybe. Three complementary shades tops. But this is taking it too far.
Unless you're located on a property directly across the street from the Westboro Baptist Church headquarters, it's never good to include every shade of the rainbow.
4. Talk about the old lady that lived in the shoe. The Haines Shoe House in Hallam, Pennsylvania was built by a shoe salesman (of course) and used first as a marketing tool, then as a rental, and most recently as fodder for the eighth season of the reality show The Amazing Race, said Wikipedia.
5. Yep, it's a Hello Kitty House. And if you think the pretty pinkness stops at the front door, you are very, very wrong. Built in Shanghai, China, the home features the latest in Sanrio chic. Everywhere.
6. Hello Kitty not your thing? Maybe Strawberry Shortcake is more your speed. This three-story shopping center was built as "one of Tokyo's first shopping centers for children, creating a fantasy world where they can play in strawberry fields," said _NewThe Luxury Spot.
7. Most people wouldn't recommend building a house shaped like an Egyptian God. But if you're the billionaire boyfriend of Naomi Campbell and are reportedly building the house for her, well you go right ahead and over-personalize to your heart's desire!
8. If you're just ready to flush it all and wipe away any notion of "normal" when it comes to your house, well this one is for you. It's the Toilet House.
Yes. The. Toilet. House.
The house was reportedly built by the late mayor of Suwon, South Korea, Sim Jae-Duck, "to mark the 2007 inaugural meeting of the World Toilet Association," said This Old House. Jae-Duck is said to have spent $1.1 million on the 4,520-square-foot steel, concrete, and glass structure.
Why, you ask? Because Jae-Duck was - supposedly - born in a restroom.
You can't make this stuff up.
Want a few more examples of crazy over-personalized homes? How about a marshmallow house.
Or the happy face house.
