Friday, January 29, 2016

old house styles



I don't know if I just like to torture myself or what, but I tend to watch House Hunters, before I go to bed at night.

Honestly, it's probably because it's usually mindless television and less frustrating than the news, which is lately on my tv all day.

Not to say that the show can't be frustrating.

It is!

When watching, I tend to get really irritated when people say....

"I want an old home".... and proceed to talk about gutting it.

CRINGE

or

"I want an old house with lots of charm, but I want it modernized and open concept."

What?!

Those two statements gives me a headache every time I hear them and that's when I try to find something else to do, like read a book.

Which prevents me from yelling obscenities at the tv about them destroying an old house instead of buying a new one that looks old.

Actually, I do that and then read a book while drinking a stiff cocktail cup of tea ;)

Anywho,

One of the things I've noticed lately is that hardly anyone seems to know what the proper name is for the style of home they're looking for.

The other day someone said they wanted a Craftsman and they were thrilled to see a house that they thought was a craftsman.

It was a farmhouse.

I'm sure Greene and Greene were rolling in their graves.

In case you're curious about the difference, here's the best example I could find of what the house looked like:


It's actually more of a smaller inexpensive Folk Victorian or Greek Revival, which most farmhouses, as we think of them, were based on.

Here's a Greene and Greene Craftsman:



And here is a typical Craftsman Bungalow:


See what I mean?


The craftsman homes were meant to be the antithesis of Victorian architecture that had dominated for decades.

The same goes for the American Foursquare.


And the Prairie Style, that I'm showing because no old house post about this time period should be without Frank Lloyd Wright:


People wanted simple.

Read more about the American Arts and Craft movement 'here'.

And yes, a farmhouse is simple, but an entirely different style of home.


So, all of this got me thinking that there might not be a lot of people out there that know the difference between one old house style and another.

It couldn't just be the people that run that show or the people buying the homes, right?

Maybe people that don't have access to the Google search engine?

How about a library?

And don't get me wrong. I know not everyone is a fan of owning an old home, so they wouldn't know the difference and that's understandable, but when you're buying one, I would think that you'd have done some research.

Actually never mind.

Most of them haven't even researched the prices of homes in the area they're looking and don't realize that the houses in Los Angeles and New York City are not going to be the same price as a home in Middle America.

Really?!

You thought your $200 grand, that you got for your 5,000 sq. foot home in Ohio, was going to buy a 5,000 sq. foot home on the beach in California?

I'd like to know what you've been smoking, because it isn't cigarettes.

Oops! Sidetracked by another rant.

Sorry!

Kind of ;)

Moving on back to explaining the styles...

Speaking of Victorians, most people think that all Victorian homes are Queen Annes,


when in reality, there were many different kinds of homes built in that era.

Queen Victoria reigned from 1837-1901, and it is considered that anything built between 1840-1900 is Victorian.

In other words, Queen Annes are Victorians, but not all Victorians are Queen Annes.

Read more about this 'here'.

Some examples....


There's Italianate:



Gothic Revival:



The aforementioned Folk Victorian:


and Greek Revival:



And also the Greek Revival Farmhouse:



Octagon:



Mansard (or Second Empire):



Also sometimes called the Adams Family style ;)



Richardsonian:



Shingle style:



The Eastlake, which is a lot like a Queen Anne, but more froufrou with all the ornamentation:



And of course the tudor revival:


Which is the mother of the Tudor Revival Cottage:



and a cousin to the English Revival Cottage:



Which leads us to the Storybook Cottage...

from the simple:






My home is another example :)



To the exaggerated, like you see in Carmel and other parts of California:





Of course, all the Revival Cottages were after the Victorian era, because they started in the 1920s and 30s, but I thought it was neat how the cottage progressed in America and it brings us back to a movement after the Victorians :)

More about Storybook homes 'here'.

I could go on and on about old houses and I might just do another post on them sometime in the future.

After all there's the eras before and after the Victorians and well, I just plain love old houses.

Obviously :)

I think that's enough for now though, since this post is pretty long and besides, that would take a lot more research on the before part, because shockingly I'm not all that educated on those, BUT I can guarantee you that if I was in the market for one, that I would have done my research.

Before going to a realtor, much less going on television ;)

Now I'm pretty sure this post probably insulted a few people (there's always someone), but if you know me at all, you'll know that I'm a restorer of old homes, that has had to deal with her share of remuddeling and what uneducated people do to them and that upsets me A LOT more.

Remember...
you're a caretaker of these old, beautiful, pieces of history and they should be respected, not reinvented, should you be lucky enough to own one.

I'm also well acquainted with buying and selling homes on both coasts and in Ohio, so there's that

So, I apologize for hurting anyone, but not sorry for how I feel.

Hopefully though, you learned something anyway :)

xo
rue



92 comments:

  1. Wow! I feel like I was transported back to my Home Ec class in high school where we studied the different types of homes, builders, and the periods in which different homes were built. I had all but forgotten this class until you began showing these pictures. You did an EXCELLENT job of sharing the differences between the different period homes. I have to say that there are so many beautiful types of homes that you showcased, but my favorite just might be the farmhouse with the wraparound porch. :) I'm simple like that. Thank you for the little journey back through time, I enjoyed it very much :)

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  2. So many neat styles, Rue! And seeing the Addams Family made me smile. Thank you so much for this great journey back in time!

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  3. Loved your post and learned a lot. Clicked on all the clicks, but can see I really need to learn more about cottage style, which I love. We have a new house built to look old. Not well done on the follow through and it seems the builder might have mixed some styles together. I would like to avoid the re-muddles and it has paralyzed me. Five years and we still proceed with too much caution. Thanks for such through details when you do posts. It truly is educational.

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  4. Agree with your sentiments exactly, and loved the photos. I'm pretty house-style savvy, but a review is always helpful.

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    1. Coincidentally, right after I read this post, and commented, I opened the latest issue of This Old House magazine. The subject of the editor's letter is how he doesn't understand people who gut old homes to make them new!

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    2. Thank you!

      How odd! I think I need to pick that issue up :)

      xo

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  5. OK, now that I've cleaned the drool off my chin....those house hunter shows drive me crazy because usually one person wants something totally different from the other person. Do they not discuss this beforehand?

    Now I could happily live in any of the homes you pictured. Sadly I will be inheriting my parent's home which is a boring Ranch style with no personality at all. Inside cosmetics I can change easily, outside...short of having someone add stucco to the brick and replace the wood with the same, I can't think of anything to improve it. And selling & moving will not be an option unless I win the lottery.

    As for TV shows that actually show restoration I highly recommend Rehab Addict and if you can find the Daryl Oates house shows, very worth watching.

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  6. Rue, Thanks for the education. I really can't watch House Hunters it's irritates me to no end, the stupid things people say! I will have to say allot of the blame goes back to the realtor for not educating their clients. Now I won't even start on my rant about when they start talking about taking down walls. We had to deal with the start of open concept when we moved here, it's not easy putting walls back in old houses. Please people just let old houses be old houses!

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  7. wow Rue, you sure do know a lot about house designs. I think my home looks a lot like the craftsman cottage, only new. It has the stone column that you see with the craftsman, and it's smaller like a cottage. I just love the cottages in Carmel and have been wanting to visit there. The warm glow from inside your home is so pretty in this pic.

    ~Sheri

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  8. Wow, that Richardsonian style is new to me, would love to see it inside.

    A different version of the Gothic you showed is one of my most favorite styles--Carpenter Gothic.

    What a lot of hard work went into this post, Rue, I'm going to scroll through them all again. But you know I agree with your rant as our first conversation was about open concept mania. And oh yes, like fingernails on blackboards, those words from HH--we'll have to gut this kitchen. And also HHI where someone wants to live in Italy, in a house that has the charm of an Italian apartment, and then they insist on an American kitchen. I want to throw wet pasta at them!

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  9. Oh my goodness! We must have seen the same House Hunters episode! I get rather annoyed with that show, as well, but what irritates me the most is when the clients are looking at the houses and say something intelligent like, "I just can't see myself living with this paint color!" or "Oh! I don't like this carpet!". Grrrrr...that's what Home Depot and Lowe's is for!

    Grace & Peace

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  10. I love watching House Hunters too. If I could buy the perfect house it would be like one of the cottages in Carmel. I also like yours.

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  11. We pulled the plug on cable about 6 months ago and I don't miss House Hunters at all. Of course I watched it often (one thing I can say for it is that it is family friendly with small children). That is until I start screaming. My biggest pet peeve? Those gorgeous pink and black tiled bathrooms (or the yellow and green tiled ones). Adorable! And if you think you are going to rip it all out to create a spa - buy a different house! Why would you buy a perfectly fine house and "gut" it? If you want a modern house, buy a modern house!

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    1. My RE agent won't photograph my pink bathroom b/c she says the buyers will want to strip it down and put in white. Guess I'll take the pink fixtures with me and leave an empty shell for new owners to fill!!!!
      Now where can i find a small house that needs a pink bathroom???? LOL

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    2. That's ridiculous! It sounds to me like you need a realtor that understands vintage appeal. There's a whole movement for those looking for homes that still have original details. In fact, there are real estate agencies that specialize in that sort of thing, but I don't know if they're where you live. Might be worth a try :)

      xo

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  12. Thank you for the education on the different styles of the houses. I knew some of them, but others, since we don't have those styles where I live, I had no clue about. My hubby and I also watched House Hunters and would cringe when they would want to carpet over the beautiful wood floors, tear out gorgeous wood molding or even worse, paint over the beautiful wood doors and built in cabinets. We really enjoy watching Nichole Curtis' show where she saves and restores old homes. She is a gal after our own hearts.

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  13. Thank you for the education on the different styles of the houses. I knew some of them, but others, since we don't have those styles where I live, I had no clue about. My hubby and I also watched House Hunters and would cringe when they would want to carpet over the beautiful wood floors, tear out gorgeous wood molding or even worse, paint over the beautiful wood doors and built in cabinets. We really enjoy watching Nichole Curtis' show where she saves and restores old homes. She is a gal after our own hearts.

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  14. I'll have what she's drinking. haha...

    and i'll take the storybook cottage in carmel, california.
    i've seen this cottage and others by the same builder.
    carmel is a favorite place of mine. :)

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  15. What an interesting post! I'd have to say that my heart is drawn to the old farmhouses. :-)
    You did show some lovely old examples and I love your place too.

    Thanks for sharing ~ FlowerLady

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  16. I couldn't agree more with you about your aggravation with House Hunters wanting to completely change old houses. Another question I would love to ask Joanna on Fixer-Upper is would she be able to manage a renovation if the new owner said they do NOT want any walls knocked down to make it "open concept"? What is the great appeal of that, anyway? Do people want cooking smells and sights in the living room? Does no one ever think of the noise factor? People who want the tv on while others might prefer to have a conversation or read or something? If we all lived in caves once and came up with the idea of dwellings later, wasn't there a REASON we developed the notion of separate rooms?

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  17. I always shake my head at those people gutting old homes. I've never understand why they don't simply restore an old home, rather than tearing it apart. I'm with you, why don't they just build a new home that's modern and all but make it look old? So weird to have an old home and then go inside and it's completely modern. I loved all the pictures of the Victorian homes, it reminds me of where I grew up. The city where I grew up had a large section of the town that was restored Victorian homes. I recognized many of the styles as there were a great number of Queen Anne's, Greek Revivals, and Greek Revival Farmhouses. Made me thing of home :-)

    Have a great weekend Rue!

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  18. Thank you for all this research and photos. I don't watch House Hunters any longer because I just get upset with the complaining I don't like the counters, the rug, it doesn't have wood floors, etc. etc. I want to live in this neighborhood but your don't want to pay the price.

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  19. This is my first time here!
    The image of the first house caught my eye on Su's blogroll.
    I so agree about destroying an older home. Down the block from me a Mid-Century home was for sale.
    It was breath-taking (to me) with a blonde paneled living room, complete with a built-in desk.
    One wall was a fireplace with a low brick bench... the basement had the old colorful vct tile and built-in bar.
    Sadly I was unable to buy it and it sold quickly. Nothing long afterwards there was a remodeling van in the driveway and also a carpet company van. I swear I could hear the house weep as I drove by.
    :(
    AND, I have a question!
    I don't know what style of house I live in! Hopefully you can tell me.
    There's an enclosed porch on the front and when you come in the door there is an open staircase to the left and directly in front of you there is a room that flows into the next room with an archway and then it goes into another room through a doorway. The entire main level is only 15ft wide and a grand total of 31ft long from front door to backdoor!
    Upstairs is the bathroom and two bedrooms.
    The closest description I've found is a shotgun house but those don't have an upstairs.
    Then I thought maybe a row house? but that is had more rooms on the main level.
    Maybe you can solve my mystery.
    Anyway, thanks for this post!
    Loved it!

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  20. Nope- haven't insulted me (yet)-ol
    I loved this whole post, Rue. I have lived in several old houses and loved them all. There is nothing like the nooks and crannies and creaks and 'cracks' of an old house.

    I, too, watch HGTV late at night in bed. The people that REALLY drive me nuts are the ones that whine about the COLOR. "Oh! I could never live in a home with a bathroom that is painted yellow!" Hellllooooooo---are you an idiot or what? I want to yell- PAINT IT YOU FOOL at the TV..but don't because then I would be the fool! lol Have a great weekend- xo Diana

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  21. This was a fun post ; a lot of these styles are in my neighborhood :) It's such a nice mix in our area of quite large older homes and the smaller more modest ones, but the variety is wonderful to see.

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  22. This was a fun post ; a lot of these styles are in my neighborhood :) It's such a nice mix in our area of quite large older homes and the smaller more modest ones, but the variety is wonderful to see.

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  23. I learned a bunch from your post! I love the inspiration photos and I didn't know the names of the styles for some and I a free- I like an old home!

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  24. You've done your homework, Rue, and I so appreciate it--I've never been too knowledgable beyond the bungalows and Georgians that are prevalent around me.

    I do hear you on House Hunters. As much as I feel things are real..the whining over simplest makes me wonder. I remember a couple looking at n apartment in Italy and the wife was crabbing because one didn't have a microwave! Grrrrr...

    Jane

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  25. Gorgeous houses! I love looking at beautiful old homes - a new one done in an old style just doesn't come close to the details of older houses.

    After looking at your pics, I would say we have a storybook - ours looks a lot like the photo right below the words - the simple.

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  26. I gave up watching House Hunters and HGTV years ago for the reasons you, and others here, have mentioned. I loved the old days of that channel, but no more. I live in a cottage or technically a beach bungalow. It was built in the 1920's in a neighborhood full of summer beach residences. Ours was billed as the first year round home in the hood, and while there isn't another like it, it not much different from all the others ~ two bedrooms, one bath and no room for a table to eat at! ;) Of course, over the years many of the homes have been added to and transformed. Some are unrecognizable, but having grown up in a typical 60's high ranch, I wanted old, old and very old and all the charm and kinks that come along with it! I think that our addition has maintained that. Thanks for the lesson. I always love your honesty.

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    1. Oooooh how I miss Mary Emerling! Country at home and Kitty Barthawalomu ! I know I did not spell that correctly but. ALL these modern shows now!YUCK !

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    2. I have to agree, Cindy :)

      xo

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  27. Goodness, I couldn't believe the number of homes you've shown here.

    But as the saying goes 'There's no place like home' and I'm in my comfortable warm home and dinner will soon be cooking bringing wonderful wafts of aroma ... you can't beat it!

    But a great post to read and look at thank you.

    Enjoy your weekend

    All the best Jan

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    1. A really interesting history of many different styles. Prairie is probably my favourite, but that is because I am a huge fan of Frank Lloyd Wright's work! xx

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  28. I love homes, too and House Hunters is one of my favorite shows. A Craftsman Bungalow is one of my favorite types of homes. :-)

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  29. My "favorite" is they are LONGING for an older home. Just beside themselves with longing!!! The first thing we see is the hubs is 6 foot 4 and the low ceilings are horrible!! Next is the peek into the first bedroom and their utter SHOCK that the closets are SO SMALL. Do they think people in the 30's or 40's etc. Had 28 pair of pants, 17 blazers, 13 dresses, 43 tops and 72 pairs of shoes?? I don't think that they ponder any of these things before they long for the old home. They have seen NEW versions of old homes with open concepts, 24 foot ceilings and His & Her walk-in closets. THAT is what they were longing for! They simply never dreamed an old house could be so .................. OLD!! Same w/ people on HH International wanting to move to Costa Rica and want double walk-in closets....... how many clothes do you really NEED in Costa Rica???? No coats, no sweaters, maybe a sweatshirt or 2 and shorts, short sleeved tops, crops and a nice "wedding" or party outfit.
    They all make me crazy. You should watch Rehab Addict and watch her re-do a beautiful old house and keep all of its integrity. That show makes me smile at what she goes through to keep those houses true to their time.

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    1. You nailed it, Chris! I could have gone on and on, but I tried to keep it down as best as I could lol

      I love rehab addict, but sadly she's not on HGTV anymore and I don't get DIY :(

      xo

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  30. Looks like you struck a chord with this one Rue. Househunters gets on a lot of people's nerves, not the least of which is moi. My guess is a lot of what people are saying are fed to them by the producers. At least I hope so ;).

    I thought I had a pretty good working knowledge of home styles but I learned a thing or two. You put an incredible amount of time into this post and it shows. Well done!

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  31. Looks like you struck a chord with this one Rue. Househunters gets on a lot of people's nerves, not the least of which is moi. My guess is a lot of what people are saying are fed to them by the producers. At least I hope so ;).

    I thought I had a pretty good working knowledge of home styles but I learned a thing or two. You put an incredible amount of time into this post and it shows. Well done!

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  32. I read a lot of blog posts and that was my favorite ever. I had no idea those were all considered Victorian house styles. I am not buying one..

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    1. LOL I understand. It's not for everyone :)

      And thank you!

      xo

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  33. Whenever I watch one of those shows, I always think, "Wow! I could barely scrape the money together to make the down payment and all the extra fees, let alone totally gut the place!" The only changes I have ever made to a home once I moved in was to paint some of the walls. I like to live a place for awhile and let it "speak" to me before I make any drastic changes.

    Thanks for all the great pictures and info on all the different styles of houses. I'm torn between the Greek Revival Farmhouse and the Tudor Revival. Apparently, a part of me feels the need to be "revived." Ha!

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  34. OMGoodness Rue am I ever glad you posted this. Your research of styles is spot on and personally I prefer older house and I do know their styles. Our row-home is English Tudor style. Stone in front and the back stone then top half brick.

    Me too watching House Hunters. Although I prefer watching what follows House Hunters International. I often talk back to the uninformed whining potential owners who have a wish list a mile long and no clue. Desiring no renovations wanting to move into turn key and start out describing to the realtor the style their looking for and end up with something totally different.

    Rue I am impressed by the amount of research you did to source all the different styles. Even though we gutted much of our house we kept its personality and charm. Retaining original walnut inlaid red oak floors, arches and all the unique charm we fell in love with when we purchased our home.

    Sadly so many people have the mindset new is better and destroy the legacy, historic charm and style by ripping out and totally remaking the interiors. Thank you for this post and hey its nice to know another blogger talks beck to the screen! HGTV is oftentimes educational and tries to achieve pleasing all its viewers.
    xoxo,
    Vera

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  35. what a tour de force!
    I agree with dewena... such a lot of work you did!
    but SO worth it!
    I too didn't know the richardsonian by name. we have a lot of them here.
    they were very popular apparently with the rich oil men of the state in days gone by.
    I love the queen anne style usually. and I like the federal found in new england.
    but my all time favorites are your type of cottage... and any tudor revival cottage.
    I like small. so the cottage is my choice. and OH to visit carmel by the sea.
    what a treat it would be for me. I would walk and walk.
    no doubt with my mouth hanging open.
    thank you rue for such a lovely well thought and prepared post.
    and if I see another show of that... with the young wife looking at a perfectly good kitchen saying... "well. we'll have to completely re-do the kitchen!" ...
    and invariably they choose the one they CAN'T AFFORD that's way over their budget!!!
    have you ever noticed? ok. rant here over too. LOLOLOL! XO♥
    p.s. did you follow steve at 'urban cottage'? he has stopped posting now but the blog is still up and he has a beautiful instagram site. he kept the total integrity of the house and did a wonderful job. and posted while doing each room. you would love him!

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  36. What a wonderful post! We have always lived in older homes, but unfortunately ended up in a new home. We miss them and hope to win the lottery so we can get back in one!

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  37. So glad to have found you again! I read just a few posts but obviously I have a lot of catching up to do! Seems your life has changed a lot but not you and your commitment to old homes and preserving and using things from the past. Bravo!! Love your new old home and all the pretty homes in your neighborhood. Can't wait to follow along once again! Warm hugs!!

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  38. I love the folk Victorian the best, but with bad knees I would not be able to climb the stairs!

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  39. A great post, Rue, interesting and informative. I sometimes wonder why anyone would want to go on TV, the only ones who look well informed and civilized are the hosts.
    Amalia
    xo

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  40. Hi Rue, great post with informative pics. I agree on doing the research. I once had someone tell me that all 2 story homes were called "Colonials" What??? Not what I learned in design school. lol
    I told them to go back and study again!!
    I love older homes but live in a newer home of 25 years old!! Our cottage will celebrate 25 years this May. We've had to give her some face lifts but kept the main design of partly closed concept, similar to the 50's.
    Thanks for sharing. I love your home photo the best! xo

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  41. Isn't it funny how little some people know when they start their search? We have a craftsman-ish bungalow and we love it! It has a 3 car garage with the original carriage doors. The only thing is none of our vehicles actually fit in it! My husband loves that though, because he gets to claim the whole space as his workshop!

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  42. I like the storybook cottage. I was looking at old houses on Redfin yesterday. I would see one that was cute on the outside, but what they considered remodeled on the inside, I sometimes thought wrecked. I don't like to see off the shelf cabinets unimaginatively installed or a contemporary kitchen in a house if it doesn't go with the exterior. I also hate to see all the interior doors gone, because depending on the age they are wood. You are special. xoxo Su

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  43. Rue, I knew some of the styles, but this post has showed me a few that I didn't know. I love tudor style, and someday wish we could fix up one. For now, I'll be happy using vintage stuff and architectural salvage where ever I can. Great and informative post.
    p.s. maybe you shouldn't watch House Hunters right before bed. lol

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  44. I think that's why House Hunters doesn't interest me anymore. Can you imagine what a rude awakening it will be when these people move into old homes and find out how much the renovations and repairs are going to cost!!

    Great photos of all the wonderful old homes!

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  45. Great share. I've got a lot of old houses in my neighborhood. I need to do a more serious study while Buddy and I are walking.

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  46. Hi Rue, this is a wonderful synopsis of different architectural styles (especially cottage style) in the U.S. . I have a real soft spot for wonderful little storybook cottages with tons of charm since I grew up in Laguna Beach, which, like Carmel, is crammed with this kind of architectural style. I actually rarely watch House Hunters because it seemed like all they ever showed was people buying some cheaply built, over-priced tract-development atrocity from the '1960s, '70s', or 80s'. My standard reaction is to yell out loud 'WHAT!!?, $950K for that ugly little thing!'. As for the dumb comments of the people featured on the show, I've often wondered if that isn't what the show's production team coaches them to say to add a little drama to the show.

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  47. My favorites are the Folk Victorian, Gothic Style and Storybook. I live in a 1990s brick thing. I really wish people would stop and think before they rip out original details in old homes. I love how many wonderful examples of architecture you collected.

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  48. You were out of blogging awhile back when I posted about my dad's American Foursquare. He sold it right after having leukemia because as beautiful as it was...it was large and lots of work to maintain. I just died when he sold the house but it was for the best.

    http://www.poofingthepillows.com/2014/02/this-old-house.html

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  49. I LOVE what you said about being a caretaker of a piece of history and these homes should be respected! I live in a 100-year old farmhouse where (some unfortunate remodeling was done before we acquired it) every decision we've made for this home since we've lived here has been with this in mind.

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    1. Thank you, Courtney and I love what you said about keeping your home in mind before you do anything to it :)

      xo

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  50. Rue, wonderful, wonderful post! Like you, I can get on quite a rant about people buying old houses then ruining them. If someone wants a shiny new house with an "open concept," they should not be buying an old house and then completely changing it. I'd go so far as to say it shouldn't be allowed.

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  51. You chose great photos, Rue. Thanks for the tute.

    Back when U was writing national register nominations, I coveted so many old houses and I sometimes still long for a New England Cape Cod cottage, though I live in the south atlantic area. But now I'm older, & the cost of maintenance of even a mid-20th century house is more than I can face on my widow's mite, it will have to be a modern apartment with period furnishings.
    My kids and grandkids want Ikea and not my collection of "old stuff." The older houses in the nearby city are now astronomical in price, but i visited the place we once owned, a 1920s brick bungalow (one you omitted) and was most impressed by its updating, which prolly cost more than we got for the place when we sold it 20 years ago.

    We can't look back, too hard, but just try to live in the now.......and figure out how to take our pink bathrooms with us when we move on.

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    1. I did forget the brick bungalow! Maybe I'l do another post and include it sometime :)

      Kids... they'll figure it out eventually. I know a lot of people that took a long time to appreciate old homes and antiques.

      And yes, take the pink bathrooms with us ;)

      xo

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  52. Our first old house renovation began more than 20 years ago, and with a house built in 1941. The oldest home that we've renovated was built late 1800's. We know old houses :)
    Great pics you've included here and good information.
    Great resources for folks researching and renovating, or restoring old houses is "The Original Old House Compendium", also, "Renovating Old Houses".
    Gathering information and educating ones self on architectural styles, and staying true to styles is one of the first things to do when buying an old home.
    Good luck to all those old house renovators, restorers and lovers :)

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  53. Love these explanations of home styles... how many houses have you restored?

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  54. I have always had an intent interest in residential architecture. My late husband and I, when we lived in Los Angeles, used to drive around the old neighborhoods and identify all the different architectural styles. It was kind of our hobby then. I grew up in a midwest town, and some of the photos you showed here look very much like the homes found there. They still exist and, fortunately, people have kept them authentic. I appreciate that so much. You did a great job of covering various styles and the history behind them. Very concise. Dennis and I looked at a lot of old homes before building ours. Many of those homes looked so good on the outside, but inside the remuddeling was heartbreaking. Which is why we built a new home to look old. Hugs, Nancy P.S. Love your cottage.

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  55. hi !! que tor de casa mas fantasticas.. que tenga un buen comienzo de semana
    cariños

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  56. Love them all!
    I enjoy your posts so much because I always learn something new and interesting and I really appreciate the time you take to do that.
    It is sad to me to see couples mocking homes they view on HGTV as being 'outdated' and how they just could not live with such a small kitchen, bath,etc. There are so many, including myself, who would be grateful for what they turn their noses up at.
    There is such character in older homes too and I love to see it preserved.
    You do a great job preserving quality.

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  57. Loved this post Rue and browsing all of the beautiful older homes and styles. I had to laugh at your remarks about House Hunters. Whenever my husband and I watch, we always look at each other in disbelief over some of the home buyers lack of knowledge of prices and they're unrealistic expectations. I'm glad we're not the only ones. Hope your week is awesome.

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  58. Really excellent post, Rue. This could be a book. I am driven crazy by eBay sellers who name everything Art Deco and have the eras all wrong on everything from clothing to furniture. I have to stop myself from sending them a friendly note. I don't think they really care, but it makes it hard when I am trying to find a piece or a part and everything is titled incorrectly.

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  59. I'll take one Folk Victorian please. But I wouldn't turn down your charming cottage.
    What an interesting post. I don't watch any of those home shows -- my blood pressure rises enough just watching the news!

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    Replies
    1. I so love your cottage......the curb appeal and the quaintness is so refreshing....my next home will be a small ranch with just enough room so cuddling will be a must!

      Lois@pineridgehills.com

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  60. Thank you for the mini education. Our tract of homes were built in the 1950's and were called the story book cottages. I never understood why and since they were modest homes in the turn of the century they are lacking the tile roofs but the do have some of the lines and windows you mentioned. Always fun here Rue and I agree that show can infuriate me but more because of the high, exact expectations of the 20 somethings buying their first home. We were just thrilled to be handed the keys to something of our own.

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  61. Thank you for the mini education. Our tract of homes were built in the 1950's and were called the story book cottages. I never understood why and since they were modest homes in the turn of the century they are lacking the tile roofs but the do have some of the lines and windows you mentioned. Always fun here Rue and I agree that show can infuriate me but more because of the high, exact expectations of the 20 somethings buying their first home. We were just thrilled to be handed the keys to something of our own.

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  62. Thank you so much, Rue, for sharing your knowledge about houses. I am so glad to know that I live in an American Foursquare. I have been wondering for a long time about my house and you hit it on the nose. Sometime I will share photos of my home. Sincerely, Kathi

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  63. Hi Rue! It's been a while since I have been here. Hope you are well and happy!

    I love this post. It makes me cringe when I browse real estate sites and the realtor writes a description of the old home and totally gives it the wrong architecture style and era! ugh. I see this every day. I have had the privilege of owning a Craftsman Bungalow,a Queen Anne, and currently my husband and I own a farmhouse cottage. It is such an honor to live in an old home. Actually, I think they *own* us! I have always loved finding out the history in all my past and (current)homes.

    I grew up in Perrysburg, Ohio. A small town filled with gorgeous, historic old homes of great architecture. A town that respects preservation and history. When I was a kid all of my friends would be swimming and I was riding my bike around our town to take pics of these beautiful houses! My passion started young! Here is a link to browse these homes. It is definitely worth your time! Have a glass a wine and enjoy :)

    Be well, misha

    http://www.historicperrysburg.org/historicproperties.htm

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  64. I agree. I sometimes wonder if some people form their ideas about style via Pottery Barn catalogs, but who knows? A long time ago, I lovingly restored a turn-of-the-century "Four Square," and when we sold it a decade later, the new owners chose a Tuscan style decor. They pulled up the hydrangeas and lilacs and climbing roses, too, because they wanted a landscaped yard (some of the bushes had been there for 100 years). The house we're in now is basically a Brady Bunch split-level, and I am just now uncovering its lurid history. LOL At one point it was Tuscan, and another it was Tudor meets Industrial.

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  65. Thanks for the valuable information and insights you have so provided here...
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  66. I love old houses too. I think they are very charming but we now live in a more modern home which is right next door to my daughter's in FL. Thanks for this interesting post, Rue....Christine

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  70. Holy crap these are awesome! I really like the Greene and Greene house. Thanks for sharing! It gives us some ideas on houses that we're working on and we may do some really custom styled ones for Sell My House Easy Fast Houston.

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