Italianate Architecture

Italianate architectureThe Italianate architecture style became popular in the United States in the mid to late 1800’s. Its popularity was big because of its ease to use different type of building materials and fit various budgets. This architecture style came about in England during the picturesque movement. American Architect, Alexander Jackson Davis, is credited with introducing Italianate architecture to America. Davis introduced this style of architecture in the 1840’s as a option or alternative to the preceding Gothic Revival style.

Italianate designed homes are common in the Midwest and northeast part of the country. In the south, Italianate house plans are less common. The Italianate architecture saw little construction in the south due to the civil war and the agriculture depression of the 1870’s. By the time things had picked up, this style was no longer the fashion statement. The Queen Anne house plan style had moved in as the latest trend in home design.

Characteristics of Italianate architecture

Residential Designers design Italianate house plans as two or three story homes with low pitched hip roofs typically. Over hanging eaves are generally wide (at least two feet). Decorative brackets or corbels, usually grouped in pairs, give the illusion of support for the wide overhanging eaves. Windows in Italianate homes are tall and narrow, flat or arch top. Furthermore, windows are dressed with some type of crowning or pediment on Italianate houses. Exterior finishes are often brick, stucco, and siding, making Italianate house designs very flexible. Other features include a covered entry or single story porch with decorative columns, towers (usually at front entrance), double front doors, low pitched gable centered over front entry, and square cupolas.