Italianate Architecture
The Italianate house style was a popular style during the Victorian era (1840-1890). Because it could be constructed of many different materials, it was possible to build in different price ranges. New ”modern” technologies made it more affordable to create the decorative architectural details of the style. Italianate architecture was brought to America by English Architect Alexander Davis in the 1840’s and was popular through the 1870’s. There are few Italianate style homes in the Deep South because the style peaked during the Civil War which was a time of economic hardship in the South.--Amy Lytle
Features of the Italianate Style:
- Low-pitched roofs
- Wide eaves
- Massive brackets
- Symmetrical
- Rectangular
- Tall with 2,3, or 4 stories
- Square cupolas
- Porches with balustraded columns
- Tall, narrow double-paned windows with hood moldings often in groups of 2 or 3.
- Heavily molded double doors
- Roman arches above windows and doors
- Bay windows
- Tall chimneys
- Build of brick, stone, or stucco
Italianate Architecture Bibliography
Baker, John Milnes. American House Styles: A Concise Guide. New York: W.W. Norton, 1994. Print.
"Italianate, 1850-1890." Home Remodeling, Repair and Improvement. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Sept. 2013.
"Lancaster City: Lancaster's Architectural Heritage." Lancaster City: Lancaster's Architectural Heritage. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Sept. 2013.
Massey, James C., and Shirley Maxwell. House Styles in America: The Old-house Journal Guide to the Architecture of American Homes. New York, NY: Penguin Studio, 1996. Print
McAlester, Virginia, and A. Lee McAlester. A Field Guide to American Houses. New York: Knopf, 1984. Print.
"The Italianate House Style." About.com Architecture. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Sept. 2013
Van, Buren Maurie. House Styles at a Glance: An Illustrated Guide. Atlanta, GA: Longstreet, 1991. Print
Walker, Les. American Shelter: An Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Home. Woodstock, NY: Overlook, 1981. Print.\
Other Useful Websites:
http://www.oldhouseweb.com/architecture-and-design/italianate-1850-1890.shtml
http://www.cityoflancasterpa.com/lancastercity/cwp/view.asp?A=869&Q=550203
http://architecture.about.com/od/periodsstyles/ig/House-Styles/
http://www.frontdoor.com/home-styles/
Baker, John Milnes. American House Styles: A Concise Guide. New York: W.W. Norton, 1994. Print.
"Italianate, 1850-1890." Home Remodeling, Repair and Improvement. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Sept. 2013.
"Lancaster City: Lancaster's Architectural Heritage." Lancaster City: Lancaster's Architectural Heritage. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Sept. 2013.
Massey, James C., and Shirley Maxwell. House Styles in America: The Old-house Journal Guide to the Architecture of American Homes. New York, NY: Penguin Studio, 1996. Print
McAlester, Virginia, and A. Lee McAlester. A Field Guide to American Houses. New York: Knopf, 1984. Print.
"The Italianate House Style." About.com Architecture. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Sept. 2013
Van, Buren Maurie. House Styles at a Glance: An Illustrated Guide. Atlanta, GA: Longstreet, 1991. Print
Walker, Les. American Shelter: An Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Home. Woodstock, NY: Overlook, 1981. Print.\
Other Useful Websites:
http://www.oldhouseweb.com/architecture-and-design/italianate-1850-1890.shtml
http://www.cityoflancasterpa.com/lancastercity/cwp/view.asp?A=869&Q=550203
http://architecture.about.com/od/periodsstyles/ig/House-Styles/
http://www.frontdoor.com/home-styles/