The History Behind The Architecture

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A home with character is said to have beauty and warmth that is hard to describe. In Popular Home Styles Part II – we continue to look at home architecture and the features that make them unique.

Tudor

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The Tudor style home has a medieval storybook appeal. The name is derived from England, during the Tudor period (1485–1603) and the reign of King Henry VII. Of course the Tudor style homes seen here in America were not built in the 15th century. The architectural style rose in popularity in the 1920’s and 30’s and was called Tudor Revival.

There are several defining features of a Tudor home. The steep pitched, multi-gabled roofs are a characteristic which is perfect for rainy or snowy climates. This would be why there are more Tudor styles in the mid-western and eastern states.  The decorative half-timber framing on the facades and the multi-panned casement windows add to the charm of this style. Many have dormer style windows on the upper floors allowing for ample natural light to flood into the rooms. Stone walls and patterned brick are also common, as well as rounded doorways and enormous stone chimneys.

Mid-Century Modern

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Mid-Century Modern style emerged onto the scene in America after WW-II. This architectural design was built from 1945-1980 and more than likely was born in California. This style is synonymous with the great Frank Lloyd Wright who trained other infamous Mid-Century architects, such as Richard Neutra and Rudolph Schindler.

The Mid-Century movement was exemplified by clean lines that integrated the beauty of nature. This accounts for the architectural features of large floor to ceiling windows, open space with flat planes. A Mid-Century home has an open floor plan and uses large sliding glass doors which inspires people to get outdoors and enjoy nature.

Mediterranean

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The Mediterranean style is influenced by the European countries that are north of Mediterranean Sea, including Spain, Greece and Italy. The style gained popularity during the 1920s through the 1940’s mainly in the coastal states of California and Florida. The hacienda style distinguished by exterior and interior arches, stucco surfaces and red tile roofs, are all typical features of the Mediterranean style.

The style has again had a resurgence in popularity among builders and buyers. Along with Mediterranean, the style is often called Tuscan or Spanish and features porticos, large balconies and heavy wooden doors. Other decorative elements include multi-colored painted tiles and ornamental wrought iron railings.

The variety of  home styles a buyer has to choose from only makes the housing market more exciting. Learning about the design features of each style beforehand may give you a bit of insight, helping you to determine which style is the best fit for you.