The best way to learn about historic houses is to look at them closely, and the most fun way to look at them closely is to do a puzzle showing a wonderful historic house! So, we made a unique and interesting collection of Historic House Puzzles for you to enjoy!
This row of lovely Italianate houses, sited on narrow city lots in San Francisco, CA, leave just a glimpse of sky visible between their cornice returns. The almost continuous cornice line creates a wonderful rhythm along the block. These were likely built shortly after the 1906 earthquake and fire.
The style arrived in the U.S. in the 1850s and became widespread after the Civil War, with examples found in all parts of the United States. The use of the style for Queen Victoria’s country villa, Osborne House, on the Isle of Wight, popularized the style in the U.K. and U.S.
Understanding the style of a house will help you know which features are character-defining so you can prioritize their preservation. Italianate is one of 25 historic architectural styles described and illustrated in Chapter 2 of “Restoring Your Historic House, The Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners.”
Click on the dashed box at the top-right in the puzzle box below to open the puzzle to full screen. In the top left, you can change the number of pieces (100 pieces is the default), toggle piece rotation, and change the background color. Then hit “OK” and have fun!