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Home Decorating The Old House Kitchens

Built 1929 - What architectural style is this?

4 years ago

Hello All...

Can someone help define the architectural style/build of this house? It was built in 1929 in an area littered with traditional Craftsman and Spanish Revival. There are 10 other 1920's home on this block and they all have a defined architectural style, e.g., tudor, spanish, english, etc... this is the only house that cannot be picked easily out of a lineup. It's stucco'd and I'm wondering if the stucco was done at some point or if it was built with stucco. The kitchen cabinets are not original with the exception of two built ins with glass. Could the black and white flooring be original? The house still has all of the original doors, windows and hinges, etc, etc... even the old garage door that slides open (it only slides far enough to open half the garage and not wide enough for a car).

Zillow link and photos below...

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/192-N-Lester-Dr-Orange-CA-92868/25130990_zpid/?

Any ideas?

Featured Answer

cawaps

4 years ago

It's a bungalow, which is more about configuration than style (there are Spanish-style bungalows, and Craftsman bungalows). Stylistically, it seems to fit better with post-war homes (the "standard tract home" Grateful4Advice alluded to). I've seen this style referred to as "minimal traditional."

About minimal traditional style

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Comments (11)

Aglitter
4 years ago
Looks like a standard tract home to me, but I doubt that flooring would be original as it looks in too good of shape to be nearly 100 years old, and the style of it wouldn't match 1929. If the exterior is stucco, also pretty good chance that's been done since the original build if it's in decent condition. You could bring your own style to this home without too much trouble, as it appears to be fairly basic.
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Look up the architecture of John Woolf and Paul R Williams.
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It's not a style you can put a finger on... It does appear to me to have been "influenced" by several movements. The steel sash "factory casements" ganged together came out of the "international style" of the 20's it crept over here slowly and incompletely for the most part, but windows (and a few other details, or the conscious lack of detail) like these became acceptable in residential buildings. The fenestration and proportions of the facade are reminiscent of Federal period buildings, and the elliptical fanlight (and perhaps the central entry and stair hall) are of the turn of the 18th-19th centuries. The large overhanging eaves are much more iconic of the very movements flourishing when the house was built, that of Arts & Crafts, and it's highbrow relative, Prairie Style. The nature of the beautifully-executed stonework is simply traditional to the mason, would be denoted as faced, random fieldstone with rustic quoin corners. Casey
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Wow, I wasn’t expecting to hear from so many people so soon, but you all know your stuff. I googled “‘80s contemporary house” and yup, looks a lot like my house:) Also, those of you who noticed the addition are correct, again, although I’m not sure when it was built. I would agree the cedar shingles are confusing as well as the arch style window. This home was a foreclosure. My husband and I bought it as our first home, as we didn’t want a cookie cutter house, and knew we could update the interior. Plus, it’s on a nice lot in a good neighborhood. I have always thought the exterior was unattractive...and i even like a lot of different styles as my decorating and clothing style is more bohemian or eclectic. I appreciate most architectural designs on homes, but not a fan of modern or contemporary due to it’s boring lines (IMO) and lack of charm and warmth. I’ve also liked lighter homes (stucco, especially) in whites or stone gray with black trim and interesting windows. With that being said, I am worried if I play up the modern that 1) it will be the only contemporary home in my neighborhood (well majority are traditional styles) and 2) it would not appeal to a lot of buyers (located in southern Indiana). We do not plan on staying in this house forever. Could any of you suggest a new color scheme in lighter shades, including the brick, that might look appropriate for the style? All of the modern homes seem to be so dark. Thanks!
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It appears to me to be a hybrid of sorts as well. It's definitely not a four square. They look like this and are very distinctive in their style. This is a colonial revival. If anything, I would call it a raised ranch hybrid, even though you're not climbing outside entrance stairs to get to the main floor. What is it you're wanting to do to the outside? I think the house would be pretty with a pergola all the way across and wider steps at the doorway with posts spread out a bit further to make the entrance feel more welcoming.
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Jilly
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
^^ I agree. I’ve also seen them referred to as California bungalows.
Phil Christian
Original Author
4 years ago
After seeing, https://www.antiquehomestyle.com/styles/minimal-traditional.htm, minimal traditional seems to be the right match. So if I put the puzzle pieces together it looks like the house was remodeled post war with stucco, flooring and probably the bathroom. The kitchen is way too new and probably done in the 80's.

I'm going to run with it being minimal traditional...

Thank you all
Jilly
4 years ago
Interesting! That’s a new term to me, off to read about it. :)
sushipup1
4 years ago
Stucco would be the norm in most of California, and siding far less common.
User
4 years ago
grateful4advice -- my 1920s house has much the same wooden flooring (at least what I can see from the picture) and it is in as good of shape as that floor PLUS it's 9 years older! So just because a floor looks nice doesn't mean that it's not old!
Aglitter
4 years ago
@User I should clarify I was referring only to the kitchen flooring in that comment above because the original poster had asked specifically if the "black and white" flooring looked original to the home. Yes, wood flooring can last indefinitely with proper care.
1929Spanish-GW
4 years ago
This house is in a city not too far from me where you see mostly craftsman and Spanish eclectic homes, with a little tutor thrown in. My guess is it's been renovated multiple times. So looking at it today, it's very difficult to tell.

My city has a lot of information available online, including a photo series of the historic homes taken around the 1970's. I would start researching the city and local historical society for old photos. The coved ceiling and arched tub make me think it's not going to be craftsman.
Elaine Ricci
4 years ago
Such a cute house! I love the flooring!
cawaps
4 years ago
I learned the term "minimal traditional" here, from Palimpsest (miss him...).

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