Dream Home Styles

Written By Pal Sheldon

In recent years Nashville has witnessed incredible population growth. This trend has unleashed a wave of development in the housing market, allowing several neighborhoods and homes to experience a healthy revitalization.

Because Nashville is a city that, until this current push, had experienced only modest growth, the common home styles that are reflected speak to the cultural trends that have fluxed through at different stages. Different neighborhoods will assume varied themes on traditional styles and if one investigates further they can notice an obvious progression of design expressed through many renovations and remodels.

Defining your dream home style can get a little complicated because many homes here in Nashville express features of several, complementary trends.This brief list with pictures is intended to help you best communicate with your realtor the style of home you are ideally looking for.

 

Tall and Skinny

Urban developments try to utilize land very efficiently. A recent trend that can be seen around Nashville is new construction of similarly styled homes built alongside one another. Generally they are modern in their design, quite narrow and often three stories high. These styles of homes fall under the Modern umbrella, but are colloquially termed ‘Tall & Skinnies’.

Urban developments try to utilize land very efficiently. A recent trend that can be seen around Nashville is new construction of similarly styled homes built alongside one another. Generally they are modern in their design, quite narrow and often three stories high. These styles of homes fall under the Modern umbrella, but are colloquially termed ‘Tall & Skinnies’.

Victorian

Victorian Styles may range in appearance as architecturally the term “Victorian” refers to constructions built during the reign of Queen Victoria (1837 - 1901). Typically though when we imagine this style of home in America we understand that the influences are Gothic in structure with pointed spires, sash and bay windows, projected disconnecting porches, beautifully decorative siding, and slate paneled roofing.

Victorian Styles may range in appearance as architecturally the term “Victorian” refers to constructions built during the reign of Queen Victoria (1837 - 1901). Typically though when we imagine this style of home in America we understand that the influences are Gothic in structure with pointed spires, sash and bay windows, projected disconnecting porches, beautifully decorative siding, and slate paneled roofing.

Ranch

The Ranch style of home is very common throughout the U.S. Noted for its long, low-to-the-ground appearance, this single storied structure became most common in the growing middle-class, suburban communities of the 1940’s on into the 1970’s. Ideal for new families, the Ranch Home typically has its living areas separated from the bedroom regions, allowing children to be put to bed while parents continue entertaining. This style is marked by its leisurely, informal design, large family rooms with street-facing, picture windows, and level, protruding eaves.

The Ranch style of home is very common throughout the U.S. Noted for its long, low-to-the-ground appearance, this single storied structure became most common in the growing middle-class, suburban communities of the 1940’s on into the 1970’s. Ideal for new families, the Ranch Home typically has its living areas separated from the bedroom regions, allowing children to be put to bed while parents continue entertaining. This style is marked by its leisurely, informal design, large family rooms with street-facing, picture windows, and level, protruding eaves.

Tudor

Tudor Revival styled homes are surprisingly common around the Nashville area. A throwback to traditional English merchant dwellings, these homes are designed to mimic the types of courtier homes popular in 19th century Great Britain. They are marked by tall, brick chimneys, and half-timbered roofs which expose the framing and are filled in with stucco or masonry plaster.

Tudor Revival styled homes are surprisingly common around the Nashville area. A throwback to traditional English merchant dwellings, these homes are designed to mimic the types of courtier homes popular in 19th century Great Britain. They are marked by tall, brick chimneys, and half-timbered roofs which expose the framing and are filled in with stucco or masonry plaster.

Cottage

An over-used descriptor, “cottage” styles vary respectively depending on whether the home is located in the woods, by the beach, or on a mountain scape. A Cottage House can essentially be in any style but most notably describes a country home of simple, modest architecture and open layout.

An over-used descriptor, “cottage” styles vary respectively depending on whether the home is located in the woods, by the beach, or on a mountain scape. A Cottage House can essentially be in any style but most notably describes a country home of simple, modest architecture and open layout.

Bungalow

Features of the Bungalow style are common in new remodeling designs. Generally a Bungalow will be a single storied home though because they typically flaunt gabled, triangular roofs, some will have a sloped-ceilinged, second story with dormer windows which extend horizontally from the roof. One of the principal characteristics of the Bungalow Style are their verandas, or street-facing, sheltered porches. Perfect for Southern living, the veranda is an outdoor extension of the living area where it is common to entertain guest, enjoy a cool beverage after a long day working in the yard, or wave to your neighbors as they pass by.

Features of the Bungalow style are common in new remodeling designs. Generally a Bungalow will be a single storied home though because they typically flaunt gabled, triangular roofs, some will have a sloped-ceilinged, second story with dormer windows which extend horizontally from the roof. One of the principal characteristics of the Bungalow Style are their verandas, or street-facing, sheltered porches. Perfect for Southern living, the veranda is an outdoor extension of the living area where it is common to entertain guest, enjoy a cool beverage after a long day working in the yard, or wave to your neighbors as they pass by.

Mission

Scattered throughout Nashville, Mission Style Homes can be noticed as out-of-place escapees from the western frontier. Modeled from the architecture of Spanish missions built in California around the turn of the 19th century, these homes have a culturally distinct flare to them. The style allows for many layouts but is marked by its decorative exterior; incorporating themes of the Spanish west with stucco siding, exposed beams, terracotta red roof tiles, and sometimes wrought iron fencing and terracing.

Scattered throughout Nashville, Mission Style Homes can be noticed as out-of-place escapees from the western frontier. Modeled from the architecture of Spanish missions built in California around the turn of the 19th century, these homes have a culturally distinct flare to them. The style allows for many layouts but is marked by its decorative exterior; incorporating themes of the Spanish west with stucco siding, exposed beams, terracotta red roof tiles, and sometimes wrought iron fencing and terracing.

Colonial

The traditional Colonial Style has experienced several revivals here in America, and we have modernized some features of the classic form. The style is marked by the stark symmetry and accommodations to warmer climates. If we consider 16th Century Colonial America we understand that glass was rare and expensive and that function would have been prioritized over form.Because of this, Colonial Homes feature a central entry way with small casement windows that are lined symmetrically on either side of the door frame. The roofs are pitched, allowing for increased circulation and traditionally one or two large and central fireplaces heat the heart of the home. Variations allow for verandas, but this is not a defining feature of the style.

The traditional Colonial Style has experienced several revivals here in America, and we have modernized some features of the classic form. The style is marked by the stark symmetry and accommodations to warmer climates. If we consider 16th Century Colonial America we understand that glass was rare and expensive and that function would have been prioritized over form.

Because of this, Colonial Homes feature a central entry way with small casement windows that are lined symmetrically on either side of the door frame. The roofs are pitched, allowing for increased circulation and traditionally one or two large and central fireplaces heat the heart of the home. Variations allow for verandas, but this is not a defining feature of the style.

Ready to find your dream home? Give us a call!

Whether you’re looking for a classic Craftsman bungalow, a comfortable ranch, or a modern tall and skinny, our team at Nashville Real Estate Rockstars is here to help. If you’re ready to find your dream home, call Zelda Sheldon with Nashville Real Estate Rockstars at Benchmark Realty LLC: (615) 720-7192 or office: (615) 432-2919

Pal Sheldon
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