SuPeRnOvA and SwEeTpAiN: Home Styles Across the Country | SuPeRnOvA and SwEeTpAiN
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Home Styles Across the Country

There are many beautiful and unique homes across the countryside that tells the tale of America’s history. As the expansion of the nation lasted a few centuries, the architecture evolved with the times, creating a wide variety of homes throughout the nation.
 
photo not mine
New England

Some of the oldest homes in the country date back as early as the 1600’s. While there are very few saltbox style homes left, these can be considered one of the first home styles constructed in the New World. These houses feature a very steeply pitched roof, also called a cat slide, which dives all the way down to the first story on the back of the home. There are rumors Queen Anne taxed houses that were taller than one story, making these residences an effective cheat on their duties. Saltbox houses can still be found in some of the rural areas in New England, but since the evolution of these homes is so extensive, many of them are now museums to honor the country’s history.

There are many homes that evolved from this saltbox style in New England. A few of those designs include traditional Cape Cod and Colonial style homes.

The South

Although the revolution was over, America was still taking cues from Europe when it came to style and architecture. One of the most common historical homes that have become benchmarks for southern construction are stunning Greek revival homes, which were made popular in the early to mid 1800s. Americans during this time became captivated by Greek democracy as they continued to evolve their own beginnings. The unique columns, stunning gable ends, and wide porches are staples of these historic homes.

The Northwest

Craftsman style homes developed from the British Arts and Crafts movement if the mid to late 1800s. As a rebellion against the industrial revolution, which was the start of mass production, these homes favored fine detail and handiwork with many details custom to the home. These houses feature low-pitched gables, exposed rafters, and bare cedar shakes. One of the most interesting interior features of some of the older craftsman style homes was the evolution of the breakfast nook. As a housewife was beginning to prepare the meals, rather than a cooking staff, architecture evolved to allow family eating to occur outside of a formal dining room.   

The Southwest

While most American homes tend to favor European design, builders in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the southwest part of the country had a different idea. These homes that originate just north of the Mexican border are heavily influenced by the Spanish heritage of their neighbors. Spanish houses focus on implementing simplicity and typically are made from indigenous materials, such as stucco, which creates a thick wall that is ideal for a hot climate.  

The Midwest

Also popular on the west coast, a ranch style home has become a staple in the Midwest. Modeled after an actual rural ranch, these homes feature one-level living, which were incredibly practical in the mid 1950s. Ranch homes also tend to feature sliding glass doors, which Is one way that these residences link the interior to the outside. While earlier homes favored a front porch, ranch houses are designed for its residents to enjoy a more private existence in their backyard.  

Home architecture in America tells the story of the country’s history as you cross the countryside. From the pre-colonization homes of the east coast to the modern Spanish houses of the south, each house tells a unique story about the nation’s past.

6 comments:

  1. An image for each home style would have made this post much better. Nevertheless, great information you shared.

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  2. I'm also interested in viewing the different architecture of each of the regions per country as they are always unique in their own ways. I've toured some mansions in New England like in New Hampshire and in Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard in MA. As well as some old mansions/plantation houses in the south like Georgia and SC.

    I echo Papaleng's sentiment, if you can find photos to illustrate the architecture in different areas, it would be so much better.

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  3. Spacious kitchen is what I want in a home.

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  4. I wonder what the other styles look like. I am sure they are also nice-looking.

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  5. I agree with Papaleng! I would have wanted to see how each country home looks like and compare which of them is the one I like the most. I guess I'd go for the modern country home.

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  6. I echo Papaleng's observation :-) it's an informative post nonetheless.

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