The best new private houses in the world for 2026

The Sa House, Talpe, Sri Lanka

Hidden inland along narrow lanes ringed with paddy fields, The Sa House celebrates Sri Lanka’s natural abundance. Walls are adorned with hand-drawn illustrations of flora and fauna, including the red-vented bulbuls that visit the house, and garden-to-table dining means native mukunuwenna and gotukola plants are plucked for simple, nourishing dishes. Nature extends to the tableware, plates and bowls painted with the green leaves of polpala, an Ayurvedic herb beloved across the island. The property was brought to life over four years, and owner Anjali Dissanayake expanded upwards rather than outwards to avoid losing ancient bael, jackfruit and cashew trees that draw birds. Three double en suite bedrooms were added as a second level, preserving the 80-year-old cinnamon plantation house’s initial layout, including the original clay wall at its heart. Textured granite, pebble-wash floors and hand-woven rattan add grounding elements, and pale soft furnishings allow the surrounding tropical greens to take centre stage. All the furniture was carved by artisans, including the curved timber chairs and circular breakfast table. Backed by king coconut trees, a 17-metre saltwater pool has been added for sunset views over peacock-studded fields, the melodic mewing marking dawn and dusk. Mornings begin over tropical fruits, local sourdough, tangy buffalo curd and creamy kiribath, a Sri Lankan rice and coconut milk dish, as purple-faced leaf monkeys bounce along the treetops. Lydia Swinscoe

Image may contain Indoors Interior Design Pool Water Cushion Home Decor Architecture Building Hotel and Resort

Oka, Itacaré, Brazil

In 2004 São Paulo designer Juliana Ghiotto came to the -magical Bahian surf town Itacaré and, after falling for pro surfer Daniel Lima, she stayed and founded a surf lodge and, eventually, Barracuda Hotel & Villas with a group of surfing Swedish entrepreneurs. Eduardo Leite and Janice Miguel, two more São Paulo-based designers, created a series of rentable private retreats for the group, and last year the eighth and final was completed. Nine-suite villa Oka is a superlative clifftop tribute to architect Oscar Niemeyer, Brazilian craftsmanship and Barracuda’s sustainable ethos. With a 280-degree view of the surf, it hides in 64 acres of Atlantic Forest, part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. A solar-powered concrete structure with a river-like pool mimics the tree patterns that inspire the organic forms inside. Interiors are made by Brazilian artisans using responsibly sourced hardwoods and natural materials. A bench is sculpted from a pequiá log and sealed by a Yakisugi charring technique. A dining table is carved from a block of quartzite. Mid-century collectables by Jean Gillon and Niemeyer pose with works from Brazilian designers Carlos Motta and the Campana brothers. In the spa, pequiá wood dumbbells are QR-coded with their provenance. Local chefs cook rootsy Baiano fare: wave-fresh seafood moquecas and shrimp bobó. Nearby are the pools and restaurant of the Barracuda Hotel; beyond, the glassy channels and cocoa farms of Rio de Contas, and 15 wild beaches on whose breaks champions are raised. Stephanie Rafanelli