Architecture Style: Colonial
American Colonial architectural style originates from the 16th century European settlers in United States. They built houses that reminded them of home like the English built cottages whilst Dutch incorporated brick and stone style of Holland. That led to the subtypes of American Colonial – French Colonial, Dutch Colonial, Spanish Colonial, German Colonial, and Georgian. They adapted structures to suit different regions as they settled with the tricks they learnt from home. Early colonial home didn’t look alike – they similarities ends at symmetrical designs, enormous central chimneys, and small windows. The last one – windows wasn’t a statement of style as glass was very expensive those days and have to pay tax on glass. Hence only wealthy could afford as many windows as they liked.
When most of the original Colonial houses are long gone, but their symmetrical forms and other classic details remain with us. The reason for that is The Centennial Exhibition of 1876 reawakened Americans to their colonial past. Colonial Revival style homes boast formal entries. Large paneled doors are typically centered on the front of the house with a decorative crown (called a pediment) supported by pilasters. Sometimes the pediment is extended forward and supported by columns to form a covered porch. Symmetrical windows bordering the front entrance often in pairs or threes.
Out the Colonial subtypes, Georgian buildings were ere ideally built in brick, with wood trim, wooden columns and painted white is a classic. While the different subtypes of American colonial were going on during the early formative years of the United States between 1785 and 1815, particularly from two brothers, Robert Adam and James Adam, out comes the new style – Federal Architecture. Founding generations of America consciously chose to associate the nation with the Greek democracy and Roman republic. Federal style assumed the balance and symmetry of Georgian with new motifs of neoclassical architecture. That formed a truly American, regal, and majestic style among the American colonial architectures.
Colonial style is one of the most popular styles of home in the United States, according to “Better Homes and Gardens.” As Colonial architecture evolved in the United States, it became more distinct, recognizable for its use of symmetry, and different regions of the country added their own tweaks to provide relief from the climate. Architects and homeowners sought to put their own stamp on the style and added up accessories such as brass door knockers, cut-glass doorknobs and gilt indoor mirrors. The use of shutters on the front windows also evolved out of the Colonial style.