Background and Characteristics. Known for warmth, invitational draw and traditional design, the farmhouse-style has been popular for a very long time. The roots of farmhouse architecture have humble beginnings in the modest rural houses built by American pioneers throughout the 1700s and 1800s. Farmhouse-style homes were traditionally simple and one to two story in form, which made additions on the sides or back quite easy for growing families. The style usually features a front porch that connects the inside to out. The modern take on this design is slightly stepped up from tradition, with clean contemporary lines and simplistic features. The front porch is still integral to the design. Vaulted ceilings and larger windows are now common to the style.
Background and Characteristics. The American Craftsman style developed out the British Arts and Crafts movement, which dates back to the 1860s during the industrial revolution. This movement included not only architectural design, but interior design, landscape design, applied arts and decorative arts. The Craftsman architectural style was most widely used in small to medium sized Southern California single-family homes from about 1905, so the smaller-scale Craftsman style became known alternately as “California bungalow”. The style spread throughout the country and remained popular into the 1930s and has seen a recent revival. Craftsman style is known for traditional simplicity, the use of natural materials, and moderate detailing. The style incorporates a visibly sturdy structure of clean lines and a prominent front porch with tapered columns. The roof has a shallow to mid-level pitch on a 1 ½ to 2 story home. Exterior materials include brick and hand- crafted wood or stonework are common.
Background and Characteristics. The Prairie style emerged in Chicago around 1900 from the work of a group of young architects, including Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx, and was inspired to evoke the native prairie landscape. The architects melded the ideals of the Arts and Crafts movement, with its emphasis on nature, craftsmanship and simplicity, and the work and writings of architect Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx. This style is defined by a strong horizontal orientation, hip roofs, well-defined front porches and simple detailing found in simple horizontal banding and Arts & Crafts-style divided light windows.
Background and Characteristics. Transitional architectural style is a blending of Traditional style with more contemporary or modern design styles. The combined styles create a cohesive feeling that facilitates modern living.
