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Most people are attracted to a home for more than its number of
bedrooms and square footage. Whether consciously or
subconsciously, you are drawn to the individual character of a
home.
Part of what makes up that character is referred to as
architectural style.
During various periods of American history, different
architectural styles were prevalent with builders. If you were
to take a home tour around a specific town, you can get a feel
for when different neighborhoods were built based on the
architecture of the homes. Today, many new homes incorporate
different aspects of these styles on the exterior and interior.
The Queen Anne, Gothic Revival and Empire homes are all
variations of the Victorian style. Popularized after the Civil
War, these homes were most popular in the South and West. With
its intricate shapes, elaborate trimming, and fish-scale
shingles, these homes truly reflect the Victorian age. Inside,
the homes are finely detailed with stained glass windows,
elaborate trim and molding, and side-by-side entry doors. Other
common elements are wraparound porches and bay windows.
Greek Revival-style homes were built during 1820-1850. Many of
its elements represent the style of Greek Temples with columns,
gable or double-sloping roofs, and pediments over windows and
doors. The windows are usually square and rectangular with fan
windows over the entryways. The interiors are symmetrical as
well, with detailed woodwork and baseboards.
Colonial homes take on the simplistic style of the original
homes of settlers to the United States. Common to this style are
the steep roofs with gable ends, clapboard siding and small
windows on the outside and wainscoting and chair rails on the
inside. A popular variation of the Colonial-style is the Cape
Cod, which is usually 1 ˝ stories with the front door in the
center and two gable (triangular structure) ends.
If you've ever seen a photo of the White House, then you are
familiar with the Georgian style home. Built during the period
of 1715-1790, the homes were inspired by English pattern books
and reflected the wealth of the owner. Inside the home, you
could find large, ornate cornices and trim incorporating leaves
and shells. The exterior is marked with medium pitched roofs
with minimal overhang. The front door is centered with a
decorative crown overhead and flanked by flattened columns.
There are numerous windows with nine or twelve panes in each.
The Arts and Crafts style, prominent from 1890-1920, was one of
the first styles native to America. It originated in Southern
California between World War I and II. Some of its features
include large porches, exposed stucco or stones, low pitched
roofs with large overhang, as well as tall narrow windows
grouped together to permit plenty of sunlight. The interiors
have open floor plans with built-in cabinets and furniture and
natural fireplaces. Similar styles to the Arts and Crafts home
include the Tudor, Spanish, Mission, Bungalow and Prairie.
Recognized by its flat roofs, metal casement windows and plain
or absent interior molding, the Modern style home is the
catch-all style for homes built since the 1920s. This home
design generally favors function over style. The Ranch home is
probably the most popular variation of the Modern style. The
Ranch originated in California in the 1930s, and became popular
nationwide in the 1950s and '60s when it became a symbol of the
post-World War II American Dream. Common design elements for the
one-story home are its pitched-roof, wood or brick exterior, and
built-in garage that shares the same roofline with the home. It
also favored a patio in the rear of the home in lieu of a front
porch.
Knowing the style of home you like can be helpful when looking
for a new home. The more information you can give your real
estate professional, the better they can serve your needs and
get you in your dream home.
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Reserved.
About the author:
Jamie Madison is a former Realtor® who provides valuable advice
for prospective homeowners. Get insider information when
searching for a new home or applying online for mortgage loans.
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