A good friend was having a dinner party the other night with a few friends and business acquantences of her husband. One of the gentlemen was an architect who wouldn’t stop talking about the amazing architecture in their "new to them city" of Charleston, SC. My friend agreed, saying it is amazing, from what seems the little bit she has actually been able to see yet since their move there. The new friend went on and on about neo-classical this, and Georgian that, and my girlfriend found herself dumbfounded. Here she was, a licensed real estate agent, and could only talk about Victorian, Craftsman and Tudor. My girlfriend has been educating herself ever since hearing about this encounter, secretly hoping she will see him again just to astonish him with her new wealth of knowledge. In the meantime, she asked to write a mini-blog series for me, in hopes of educating you, my amazing readers, and encouraging you to learn more about your house style. Maybe you will find you want to renovate the exterior of your house to better match your personal tastes, or maybe you are in the market for a house but don’t understand the different styles. Perhaps you’re just like me, wanting to learn more.
The Tudor Style
The Tudor Style originated in the 16th and 17th centuries. These homes combine tall, peaked-gable roofs running from side-to-side and back-to-back, stucco exterior walls, with decorative timbers and shutters. As a kid we would call these homes “Hansel and Grettle” houses. Some houses, like the one pictured here, add whimsy with castle-like stone detailing.
While many Tudor homes have stone, some are made of brick as pictured:
Other interesting details with the Tudor style, are the main level windows are typically grouped by three. The bottom half of the house is stone (or brick), the top half stucco and timber. The gabled roofs can sweep down almost to the ground on some houses and the doorways are arched.
Colorado Springs have these styled-homes most prominently along Wood Ave, near Colorado Colllege, some in Old Colorado City, and for larger styled “Alpine retreats” you can find this style in Woodland Park, Breckenridge, or Vail. Often times I think of the Swiss Alps and Germany when I see one of these houses.
About the Author: Kelly Young, GRI
- Author's website: www.sellmyhomeincoloradosprings.com
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Kelly is an Associate Broker with Red Rock Realty. She has over 12 years experience in Real Estate in the Colorado Springs and Front Range region of Colorado. She represents buyers and sellers of real estate buying homes, land for sale, mountain getaways. Specific areas include: Black Forest, Broadmoor, Colorado Springs, Divide, Falcon, Downtown, Manitou Springs, Monument, Old Colorado City, Westside, Woodmen Hills and Woodland Park. You can reach her at 719-226-0126 or by clicking "email the author" above.
Oh boy! You just reminded me of all that I need to learn! Thanks for the post/research!
Kelly, I would say not enough time is spent teaching CA licensees architectural styles. Every home over 75 years old is called "Victorian" even if it isn't. Thanks for the educational post.
Hi Kelly,
Sounds like a fun series.
The Tudor style - named after the Tudors of England, I presume?
Phil
I like the name "Hansel and Gretel" houses. It is much easier to remember! I call Victorian the Gingerbread Houses because of the trim. Guess that isn't exactly correct either!
kk
It reminds me of attending a Broker's Open House and listening to the listing Realtor call the authentic Craftsman home a Florida Vernacular style home. When I questioned her about it she said, "Well it does have a big porch!" Funny. Most of us selling homes could use a little architectural education!
Kelly, Tudor style houses are very popular in the East. Don't see too many here in So Cal. I look forward to reading more of your posts. Architecture is a fascinating topic. Well, it should be, right? I'm a real estate agent.
I love the in depth discussion you have on Tudor here Kelly and look more to your series to understand better the others as well.
Thank you all for the input on Architectural Style. It is always interesting to read and hear your stories both personally and business experiences that broaden and expand the orginal topic. Great input.