Italianate Home Architecture

Italianate Home Architecture emphasizes decorative elevation more than the actual structure. Architects highlighted this trend during the mid-19th century Classical Architecture period.

During the mid-19th century, architects saw this phenomenon emerge in Classical Architecture. Though loosely based on Italian villas, people widely called it the American style. Builders constructed most of these structures in the mid- to late-1800s across the U.S., mainly north of the Mason-Dixon Line.

Italian architecture ranges from modest row houses to grand mansions. Builders always added elaborate ornamentation, especially on cornices, windows, porches, and doorways. They confined most dramatic decorations to building elevations. Behind the elegant designs, architects used rigid symmetrical floor plans. Overall, these buildings resemble rectangular cuboids with abundant frontal ornamentation.

Key elements:

Italianates are usually rectangular in shape, with plain structure having two to three stories.
The roofs are generally gentle slopes with deep overhanging eaves. A row of adorning corbels (decorative brackets) seemingly supports the eaves. Exterior is usually constructed using brick, stucco or stone.
Windows are another eye-catching element, particularly in their shape. Italianate buildings are famous for tall, slim and top-rounded windows. They can either be located as doubled-up pairs or periodically spaced in positions, as sets of three (in arrangement from left to right). Shutters are rarely applied on these homes; instead preference is given to thickly hooded, pediment or framed windows. The taller windows among the lot are situated on the first floor.
The entryway provides interesting sequence via a single storied, columned porch that protects the main double door entrance.
A cupola decorating the roof top, completes the rudimentary structure of an Italianate. It is basically a square tower, which tends to provide the Italian feel right at the roofline as well, to the building.