Saltbox Houses Pleasingly Pepper Landscapes
Refreshingly basic silhouettes and materials make saltboxes a simple architectural pleasure
The Chinese philosopher Confucius is known for saying, "Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated." The same applies to architecture, with saltbox houses being a rare and refreshing exception. A saltbox is a wood-framed residence with a single story in the rear and two stories in the front. It commonly features a flat front elevation, a chimney and a steeply sloped rear roofline. Originally built in New England in the 1600s, saltboxes have simple lines and a strong design that continues to stand the test of time.
The side elevation of this Virginia home illustrates the saltbox's distinctive roofline.
A saltbox house has a single story in the back and two stories in the front.
Saltbox homes are known for their flat fronts.
This saltbox wood storage barn with board and batten siding looks ravishing in Sherwin-Williams' Cape Cod Red SW3020.
Many saltbox homes feature a central chimney, which acts as a simple focal point.
Located in the Pemberton Heights neighborhood of Austin, Texas, this home has material and color palettes that honor the saltbox's history.
The rear roofline of a saltbox house is steeply sloped.
A shed dormer replaces the classic central chimney focal point on this modern saltbox home.