modern river house

via Architectural Digest
I love the look of this Austin home. The entrance reminded me of one of my Mom's additions to the theoretical redesigning of our cabin, a wall of windows that faces the mountains.

house styles: colonial

A while ago I wrote a couple of posts on different housing styles. Not knowing much about various architectural styles I found it to be difficult and placed it on a back burner. This past semester I took a class on American architectural styles so I decided to pick the series back up.

A true colonial is much more bare bones than most people think. The key to a colonial home is symmetry and a door in the center of the home; wood and brick are what you will commonly see in these homes. The placing of the fireplace was often determined by the locality. Southern colonials often put their fireplaces on the outside of the home to keep the heat out of the center while New England colonials would place them in the center to help heat the house in the winter.

Today most homes that are considered colonial are really a colonial revival, which will often include neoclassical elements (porch and ornamentation around the doors and windows). They often still use brick or siding that looks like wood slats. Colonial revivals often observe the traditional center entrance and the symmetrical windows and rooms.

Next week: Georgian Homes

a complaint

One of my primary complaints for new/recent builds- when did the garage become the focal point of a home?

back home

I am back home from my weekend of class. I have been learning about architectural styles. I think I might revive the House Styles segments, now that I know a little more.

We got to go on a tour of building that was built in the 1800's and used as an insane asylum until the the 1970's. In the past few years they have taken half of the buildings and converted them into condos and shopping.

The renovation

The outside.

We also got to tour the part that has yet to be renovated, it was pretty creepy.

american architecture

via radeka photography

via art.com
I have a two weekend class that begins this weekend on the evolution of American Architecture. I am really excited to learn the particulars of the different styles of architecture.

which do you prefer?

Modern
via design to inspire

cottage
via granny smith green

classic
via granny smith green

What is your favorite style of house?

deep south

I love southern homes. Classic.

I love this stunning courtyard.

images via House Beautiful

family room styles

I was browsing House Beautiful today and I came across a slide show of Family Room Designs

I really liked the fireplace in this room but I almost feel like there is too much white. Personally I would like a happy medium between these two rooms, is that even possible?


This room reminds me of the Bennett's house in the new Pride and Prejudice movie. I like the eclectic feel of this room.

Hello Mr. Darcy

I do like the pictures/frames on the shelf in this first room. I like the second room but I am not sure about the beams. To me beams say cabin.

With books in the shelves and brightly colored something (maybe the fireplace?) I could love this first room.

I am getting more and more confused about what kind of style I like by the minute.

colonial style

New England Colonial

Neocolonial and German Colonial

Georgian and French Colonial

Dutch Revival and Dutch Colonial

Colonial Revival and Federal and Adams Colonial

Cape Cod and Spanish Colonials

Vote on your favorite colonial.

I found information on the different colonial styles here (I will be using this site for the other styles as well, if you see any missing from this site let me know...)

I found the pictures here, here, here, here, here, here, and here

what is your home style?

While I was back home I was talking to a friend and a sister-in-law both who are in the process of designing a home to build and the one thing that came up with both was deciding the style of home they wanted. Victorian, colonial, modern? One knew the other was not so sure. So I thought about it and I am not sure that I would know and when I talked to my sister she had a general idea of what she would like. So for the next couple of weeks I am going to feature different styles and put up polls. Vote for your favorite and at the end I will have a big vote off to see what the ultimate favorites are. Please vote, I am very curious to see what will be popular!