The Unexpected, Ultra-Personal Genius of Lottery Dream Homes

These new millionaires thought way outside the McMansion.

Imagining wealth — and the unnecessary-but-awesome, Scrooge-McDuck-style extravagances one could buy with it — is as American as apple pie (we've been known to indulge in it ourselves). Actually catching a windfall, on the other hand, offers a chance to make one’s personal paradise a reality — and as David Bromstad and his fortunate house hunters demonstrate, the good life isn’t all water slides and wine cellars. With all due respect to helipads and private islands, we love watching My Lottery Dream Home winners create their one-of-a-kind Edens.

Gone to the Dogs

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

In Season One, David joined Joe and Rhonda — winners of $11.7 million — in their hunt for land near Stillwater, Minnesota. Rhonda’s hobby bent their search toward properties with massive barns: A dedicated sportswoman, she zeroed in on training space for her German Shepherds’ agility drills.

Three’s Company

Exterior shot of front yard view of the winners new home, as seen on My Lottery Dream Home.

Exterior shot of front yard view of the winners new home, as seen on My Lottery Dream Home.

Leave it to a Florida real estate agent to speculate that while a single property might suit his needs, his $9 million in winnings gave him the option of investing in all of the contenders he visited. Listen: Some days you feel like a ranch house, and some days you don’t.

This Loo Is Your Loo, This Loo Is My Loo

Wide front shot of the winners new home, as seen on My Lottery Dream Home.

Wide front shot of the winners new home, as seen on My Lottery Dream Home.

David’s $20-million winners were far from the first house hunters to fancy the Hamptons — eastern Long Island’s picture-perfect retreats have been hot commodities since the end of the 19th century — but their search had a decidedly modern line item. Nobody — but nobody — was going to share a bathroom.

Museum Peace

A unique guitar display on the wall above the living room at the winners new home, as seen on My Lottery Dream Home.

A unique guitar display on the wall above the living room at the winners new home, as seen on My Lottery Dream Home.

Before their $2 million win, Tim and Kim struggled to contain their lifetime of “stuff” in a two-bedroom house. Settling into their new digs meant every last bit of memorabilia had a spot of its own at last. (Welcome home, guitar collection!)

Home for the Holidays

exterior shoot of the front with snow, hero house

exterior shoot of the front with snow, hero house

Some of us blanch at the thought of prepping our spaces for special-occasion gatherings. Then there’s Carla, who used a million-dollar win to purchase this Nebraska home — with room to welcome more than 25 friends and family members to her table. Carla, we are seriously impressed.

She’s Crafty

The front fa?ade, yard, garage and garden hero house

The front fa?ade, yard, garage and gardenhero house

Now here’s a winner after David’s own heart: She won a million dollars, gave her old condo to her son, then focused on finding a new space for herself and the art projects she loves. Now that’s what we call a hobby house.

Let It Grow

David Bromstad and winners walking around the backyard…its huge!

David Bromstad and winners walking around the backyard…its huge!

In North Port, Florida, David joined a pair of new millionaires in realizing their very Sunshine-State dream: Finding a property with a backyard large enough for a grove of fruit trees.

Sibling Revelry

David Bromstad welcomes our winners in front of the hero house and explains details about it

David Bromstad welcomes our winners in front of the hero house and explains details about it

This New Hampshire duo promised their late father that they’d have each other’s backs forever — and when he won the lottery, he called his sister in to help find a cabin in the woods. They’ll be sharing family holidays — and making their dad proud — for years to come.

“Papa’s Palace”

“Grandpa Jeff”’s biggest priority in finding a Virginia home was four little people: He loves to babysit his grandchildren, and they now have a backyard play area at his place to call their own. Well done, Grandpa Jeff.

Next Up

Watch a Sneak Peek: All the Details on Season 14 of 'My Lottery Dream Home'

Get your velour tracksuits ready: New episodes starring David Bromstad premiere August 11 at 9|8c.

How to Create Your Very Own Dream Home, According to David Bromstad

The King of Color knows a thing or two about styling beautiful, functional homes.

David Bromstad Knows About More Than Home Decor—These Outfits Prove It

His design talents extend to his incredible personal style.

David Bromstad's Best (Read: Most Hilarious and Charming) Moments

The King of Bright Hues believes in letting his true colors show — in the best, most relatable way.

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