Character-Defining Materials ~ The Tudor Revival and other Romantic revival styles sometimes intentionally used materials in a way that would evoke age and character – including “bad” masonry. Apologies for the photo quality. Harsh January sunlight and lots of trees close to a house make for challenging conditions.
This c. 1920 house in Montgomery, Alabama, shows this in the brickwork that is laid “badly” with mismatched brick sizes and colors and random changes in orientation. The hoped for effect was one of “antiquity” and past repairs to the masonry.
This early 20th century use of materials was different from how materials were used in the earlier 19th century Romantic revival styles. Those houses also evoked past styles but with examples that looked new when built.
Understanding the style of a house and what the character-defining features and materials of that style are is foundational for planning a rehab or restoration project.
Preserving character-defining features and materials, especially unusual ones, should be a priority when planning a project.
This topic is covered in depth in “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 from the author in our online shop at YourHistoricHouse.com/shop/.
Our shop also carries select preservation and restoration titles by other authors. Save with our multi-book combo packs!
© Scott T. Hanson 2025.
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