Imagine a little log cabin in the woods, and chances are the Adirondack architectural style will be what comes to mind. Born of the wealthy elite’s longing for nature, it’s an approach that blends luxury with rustic simplicity into a style anyone who loves the wilderness can appreciate. Rediscovering the Wilderness Until the late 1800s, […]
French Eclectic Architectural Style
French architecture has influenced American building design since Colonial times, but the French Eclectic architectural style breaks from tradition by offering options accessible to the average homeowner. The movement emerged in the early 20th century from the public’s growing familiarity with French countryside homes and developed into a style that blends rustic simplicity with Classical […]
Storybook House Architectural Style
True to its name, the Storybook or Fairy Tale House architectural style evokes an air of whimsy, playfulness, and Old World charm. It’s defined not by strict rules, but by an overall atmosphere. The birthplace of the style, however, is far removed from the picturesque villages Storybook homes imitate. Rural Romanticism, Hollywood Style Architects […]
The Homeowner’s Guide to Spec Homes
While there are advantages to having a home built to your exact specifications, the long wait to completion isn’t one of them. Spec homes, also called inventory, feature or move-in ready homes, solve that problem. “Spec” is short for “speculative,” meaning the builder builds the house based on market demand speculating that someone will want […]
Does Your Home Need a Storm Door?
Storm doors are so common, it’s easy to assume they’re a critical building feature or even required by building codes. In reality, these doors perform several functions that can be highly valuable to some homeowners, but not to all. More than Just Protection from the Weather A storm door is an exterior door installed in […]
French Creole Architectural Style
Spacious wrap-around porches, intricate ironwork railings, high windows, and French doors lend the French Creole architectural style a characteristic look that’s a fundamental part of Louisiana’s ambiance. As recognizable as it is, the style defies precise definition and is better understood in terms of its evolution. A Blend of Practicality and Tradition The exact origins […]