skip to main content

hi, buying this house. can anyone tell me the style?

18 years ago

Hi, my husband fell in love with this house, so we decided to buy it. The problem is that I know nothing about this style of house and therefore am stumped as to how to decorate it. Any help?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

housekeeping
18 years ago
It has an Arts and Crafts look to me. That was a style that orinated in late 19th c England and migrated here to the US to emerge as something often described as Craftsman.

Your building looks to be a more Arts and Crafts style than Craftsman, though.

As for decorating, the A & C style arose from a philosphy that was in revolt from the previous taste (Victorian) of over-decoration on every surface. But far from being a spartan, minimalist style, at least to our modern eyes, A & C had beautiful, well-furnished look, as well. The workshops of William Morris (UK) were in the Arts and Crafts mode. Here in the US, Gustav Stickley made his name in A&C furniture.

You should be able to locate books on both the exterior and interior styles.

Your house has remarkable views!

Molly~
0
kec01
18 years ago
It's definitely arts and crafts and has many elements of being a 2 story bungalow. These pix show it beautifully and the location is wonderful. Whatever you do, don't paint the interior woodwork!
0
Related Discussions
Can anyone identify this house style?
Q
Comments (15)
Mustang, Well, that's an extremely eclectic-style house, but I'm not sure I see much Greek Revival detail. Greek Revival frieze boards are most commonly wider along the vertical plane of the house than yours appear to be and the porch columns are definitely 20 c. styling. However, I think Casey has spotted the essential core which is a farm house in the very-popular-in-the-period vernacular Italianate style. If you look at the relatively narrow "main box" and the roof pitch and deep return on those eaves you can see some clues that typify that style here, at least here in upstate NY. It's the right style for that age of building, too. It looks to me like there may be additonal detail buried under some of the later additions and siding. You certainly will have your work cut out for you surveying the complexity of that structure and deciding what to keep and what might be better removed to reveal the underlying "bones". I hope you will be able to take some time to devote to just cleaning it and studying the building before you embark on a big renovation project. New house owners are always keen, often to the point of desperation, to rush right in. But I can tell you from my own experience over many years, that the ideas you come up with after you've lived there for several months, better yet a year, will be so much better than anything that occurs to you now. What you're thinking about now, has little to do with this house; let it tell you what it needs. The very first thing to do (other than clean, clean, clean ...) is make an accurate measured drawing of the house as it was when you bought it. And in your case with amazing complexity of that structure, this should keep you busy all winter! That first drawing will stand you in good stead down the road as you embark on renovating. I'm attaching my standard virtual "house warming present": a link to a series of very useful Technical Bulletins on old house renovation, care and inspection. These are published by the National Parks Service and I've found the information accurate and thorough, and more than once I've embarked on a new project with only these as a guide. Please come back tell us what you discover in your house, and feel free to ask further questions. Molly~ Here is a link that might be useful: Preservation Bulletin series: Every thing an new old house owners needs to know about!
...See More
More Pictures Can anyone tell me what style is my house????
Q
Comments (6)
Your house was built before 1870, but after 1820. It could be called 'Italianate' from its paired windows on the second floor. It could also be called "Folk Victorian" . The length of the windows, the window casings with their small hoods are all early Victorian. The window panes (2/2) are probably renovations from the early 1900's. Its eaves, which extend straight out with no returns back to the main house, are Italianate, or 'Romantic' - a reaction to so many years of 'Colonial' architecture in the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. You can see that the builder is still thinking in terms of 'Colonial' symmetry but beginning to use the frills ( bay windows, paired windows, fancier door and window casings) that became so popular in the later Victorian years. The bay windows and the porch make it more likely to have been built closer to the 1850's. Also the newel post in the second slide is made from one log, turned on a lathe - very popular from the late 1830's to the 1860's. However your other stair railing, balusters and the fireplace mantles are the style of the 1830's. I know a similar hand rail (how lovely it is to look at and to feel in the hand!) built by a factory owner in 1838. The iron fence is probably later, early 1870's, as are the spindles (the little turned pieces up next to the roof) on the back porch. See if you can find a copy of Asher Benjamin's pattern book published in 1830 or 1827. He was a very popular architect whose books were copied by local carpenters all over the US. The 1827 and 1830 editions have illustrations very similar to your pictures. Also you might enjoy 'A Field Guide to American Houses' by the McAlesters.
...See More
Can anyone tell me what style is my house????
Q
Comments (7)
Thank you so much for your responds I will attach more pictures so you guys can see the molding and much more. It has been crazy for me and my husband, we bought this house over a year ago, and we have done nothing to it, the house was vacant for over 2 years and now we are trying to bring it back to life, the house has 5 Beds 1 full bath and 2 half baths, before I found this website we were thinking on replacing all windows, for what I have read that will not be the best idea. I also would like to know if you guys have any input on what kind of siding should we do, right now we have clapboard, and its all run down and damage either from termites or water, I notice a lot the historic house around me have vinyl but im not sure if that will be ideal on a house so old. Thanks Here is a link that might be useful: one more picture on my house
...See More
Buying a house sight unseen, can anyone ID this gas range?
Q
Comments (16)
Thanks everyone! We're really, really excited about the move. The house is right over the NH border and about 30 min. to portsmouth. My husband and I are really "outdoorsy" and the area sounds perfect. We were in Japan for 4 years, and yes, their kitchens are awful. I LOVE to cook, and it was a challenge to say the least to cook in that tiny, badly-laid-out kitchen. The OTR micro will be going, and we'll install an outside vent if there isn't already one (it's an exterior wall). I like the colors of the cabinets and floors, so that will stay, but definitely new counters. I'm not sure what yet...I kind of picture something lighter, like a light granite or maybe copper or zinc. We're very much DIYers, and might do concrete (we've done it before). We'll also pull out the fridge surround so that it actually covers the sides of the fridge. I'd like to change out the appliances for stainless, but it isn't a priority and might not happen. Also, maybe new hardware on the cabs? Like nickle cup pulls for the drawers, etc? Overall, the house is very well built and spacious, and we can tone down the country without too much trouble. Those pendents are leather, and will be changed out for something more like this: Actually, most of the lighting has a moose motif, and will be changed. The challenge will be keeping true to the style of the house and still giving it a more modern sensibility. My style is more fun/eclectic/bright than this house, with white trim, but I'm going to keep the stained because it's well-done and there's a ton of it. We'll only be there a few years, so I can't make it too wacky. :-) Once we get there and get a better idea of how it reads in person, I'll get more photos up and get some advice on how to proceed with the de-moosing of the house.
...See More
Related Professionals
Knoxville Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Peru Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · St. Louis Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Williamstown Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Fullerton Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Minnetonka Mills Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Broadlands Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Fair Oaks Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Folsom Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · League City Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Port Angeles Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Sun Valley Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Forest Hills Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Frisco Architects & Building Designers · Plainfield Architects & Building Designers
vjrnts
18 years ago
I'll second that. The woodwork is perfect as it is, please don't paint it.

For Arts & Crafts interiors junkies, the TV program "Numb3rs" has a wonderful example. I watch the show impatiently waiting for the main characters to go home so I can look at that house.
0
fuzzywuzzer
18 years ago
What a gorgeous house!! On a -- is it a river or a lake? Lucky lucky you. You might be interested in reading American Bungalow magazine.

Here is a link that might be useful: American Bungalow Magazine
0
fqp25
18 years ago
I can't quite answer your question. I might have to live there for at least a year. Is that OK with you? I won't charge you a thing... Nice house!!!
0
bulldinkie
18 years ago
Thats really a neat place, Enjoy it!!!!!!
0
velardern
Original Author
18 years ago
Thank you for all the responses:O) The house is located right near Deception Pass State Park in Washington. We're moving into the house in a month or so, so I'm just trying to understand the history of the style of house. I'm used to new houses, so I imagine this will take some getting used to...as will cooking on a gas stove which I've never done!!
0
fuzzywuzzer
18 years ago
Once you go gas, you'll never go back! Congrats on your beautiful new old house. I hope you have a wonderful time with it.
0
joyce_6333
18 years ago
Wonderful house and location! I must warn you, these homes can become addictive! But such fun!

I recommend this book by Treena Crochet. You'll soon have a whole library of these great books on the Arts and Crafts period.

Here is a link that might be useful: Bungalow Style
0
User
18 years ago
Oh we were right up there last August. We loved the area. My SIL and BIL are in Bellingham. He is with Shell in Anacortes. We also got out to Orcas and up to BC. I ran on the PCT and had a wonderful time ! You are very lucky to be in such a great area. Gorgeous home. Caroline
0

Related Stories

DECORATING GUIDES 7 Bedroom Styling Tricks Anyone Can Do

By Eclectic Creative

Short on time or money? You can spruce up your bedroom quickly and easily with these tips

MUDROOMS The Cure for Houzz Envy: Mudroom Touches Anyone Can Do

By Becky Harris

Make a utilitarian mudroom snazzier and better organized with these cheap and easy ideas

BEDROOMS The Cure for Houzz Envy: Master Bedroom Touches Anyone Can Do

By Becky Harris

Make your bedroom a serene dream with easy moves that won’t give your bank account nightmares

BUDGET DECORATING The Cure for Houzz Envy: Entryway Touches Anyone Can Do

By Becky Harris

Make a smashing first impression with just one or two affordable design moves

BUDGET DECORATING The Cure for Houzz Envy: Living Room Touches Anyone Can Do

By Becky Harris

Spiff up your living room with very little effort or expense, using ideas borrowed from covetable ones

BATHROOM DESIGN The Cure for Houzz Envy: Bathroom Touches Anyone Can Do

By Becky Harris

Take your bath from blah to ‘ahhhh’ with just a few easy and inexpensive moves

DECORATING GUIDES The Cure for Houzz Envy: Family Room Touches Anyone Can Do

By Becky Harris

Easy and cheap fixes that will help your space look more polished and be more comfortable

KITCHEN DESIGN The Cure for Houzz Envy: Kitchen Touches Anyone Can Do

By Becky Harris

Take your kitchen up a notch even if it will never reach top-of-the-line, with these cheap and easy decorating ideas

LAUNDRY ROOMS The Cure for Houzz Envy: Laundry Room Touches Anyone Can Do

By Becky Harris

Make fluffing and folding more enjoyable by borrowing these ideas from beautifully designed laundry rooms

CLOSETS The Cure for Houzz Envy: Closet Touches Anyone Can Do

By Becky Harris

These easy and inexpensive moves for more space and better organization are right in fashion

Sponsored

Preferred General Contracting, Inc.

9 Reviews

Fairfax County's Specialized, Comprehensive Renovations Firm

More Discussions

Gap between Marvin Elevate rail and stool

9

Finding original brick driveway under current dirt driveway

27

Does anyone know what this is called?

19

Kitchen Backsplash/Countertops

14

Suggestions re sayco tub spout removal

3