Forget LEGO, the ARCKIT is an amazing system of architectural pieces to design any house you can imagine. They offer 4 kits in 1:48 scale ranging from $70-$400 US. They are available worldwide with free shipping, and Barnes & Noble in the US just started stocking them in-store this month. I have a sneaky suspicion Santa will be bringing one of these for my "kids". Now, if only they came in 1:12, a girl can always dream.
Check out all of the kits at
http://arckit.com