A cubical Italianate villa in Manchester, New Hampshire. The Italianate and Gothic Revival styles are known for introducing romantic irregular asymmetrical silhouettes to American homes, with towers, porches, bay windows, and other elements that broke up the simple rectangular box of earlier houses.
But, the Italianate style also appeared in restrained cubical form, as in this house with its flattened hipped roof on a symmetrical block with a pedimented center bay. The wonderful entry porch reinforces the symmetry of the composition. The paired windows are typical of the style.
The Italianate style appeared before the Civil War and took off after the war, with examples of the style ranging from modest wood cottages to immense masonry mansions appearing all across the United States.
Understanding the style, or styles, of a house will help you identify which features are character-defining so you can prioritize their preservation.
Italianate is one of 25 styles and types described and illustrated in Chapter 2 of “Restoring Your Historic House, The Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners.”
Signed and personalized copies of the award-winning and bestselling 720-page hardcover book are available directly from the author at YourHistoricHouse.com/shop/ and in the shop on this page.
The classic volume on identifying historic house styles, “A Field Guide to American Houses” by Virginia McAlester, is available in our shop, along with select restoration and preservation titles by other authors.
© Scott T. Hanson 2024.
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