Designed by renowned architect and furniture maker, Frank Furness and constructed in the early 1870s, Abington House is one of the prime examples of the Art Deco style. From the exterior, the home is typically Art Deco, its brick walls and arched windows lending it an unusual elegance. Inside, the home is decorated with 4 walls of Furness furniture, including a set of Arts and Crafts sofas, probably hand-crafted by Furness himself. The home also features some of the most beautiful Art Deco chandeliers in the country, and its beauty can be admired in its original form or in modernized versions. Some of the most notable features of Abington House are its grand façade, its beautiful brick walls, and its stunningly ornate entry doors. The home was originally meant to be a private residence, but is now open to the public and is part of the Abington Historic District. Visitors can explore the home and enjoy the stunningly ornate interior, while simultaneously immersing themselves in the vibrant Art Deco era. Frank Furness' Abington House
Frank Furness' Abington House
Designed by renowned American architect and furniture maker, Frank Furness, Wylie Estate is definitely one of the most impressive Art Deco houses around. Constructed in the late 1920s, the home is as much a work of art as it is a luxurious living space. The two-story home showcases stunning Art Deco furnishings, including doors, windows, and built-ins. The kitchen is a show-stopper, with its unique cabinets, appliances, and marble countertops. There's also a beautiful outdoor patio full of cozy seating and surrounded by lush landscaping. Wylie Estate is one of the most impressive Art Deco houses around, boasting a stunning exterior that perfectly encapsulates the design movements of its time. The interior is full of colorful, intricate furnishings, and the landscaping is a beautiful complement to the estate's exterior. Unfortunately, Wylie Estate is not open to the public, but lucky visitors can catch a glimpse of it while touring other homes in the same area. Frank Furness' Wylie Estate
Frank Furness' Wylie Estate
This Art Deco house, designed by renowned American architect and furniture maker, Frank Furness, is one of the most strikingly beautiful homes of the Art Deco era. Constructed in the early 1920s, the Spencer House is one of the most unique decorations of its kind, boasting a hypnotic cobalt blue and black exterior that complements its Art Deco furnishings. The home also features a spectacular entryway lined with ornate columns and a grand staircase that leads to the upper levels. Inside, the home is full of intricate designs and interesting furniture, from furniture to chandeliers and cabinets. The home is not open to the public, but visitors can catch a glimpse of it when driving by or doing a tour of nearby homes. Regardless, the Spencer House is definitely one of the most impressive Art Deco houses of its time. Frank Furness' Spencer House
Frank Furness' Spencer House
The Clements House, designed by renowned American architect and furniture maker, Frank Furness, is one of the most artfully designed Art Deco homes in the country. Constructed in 1929, the two-story home displays a stunning exterior that features vibrantly colored walls, ornate columns, and detailed ironwork. Inside, the home is full of beautiful Art Deco furnishings, including a grand staircase and elaborate ceiling fixtures. The home also showcases Furness' trademark furniture and cabinets, each hand-crafted by the master himself. The Clements House is not open to the public, but visitors can occasionally catch a glimpse of the home when touring nearby properties. The home, like the other homes featured in this article, is a perfect example of the unique beauty and grandeur of Art Deco architecture. Frank Furness' Clements House
Frank Furness' Clements House
Designed by renowned architect and furniture maker, Frank Furness, the Walker Mansion Carriage House is a prime example of luxurious Art Deco style. Constructed in the early 1900s, the two-story building features a unique façade that blends its Art Deco ornamentation with traditional carriage house architecture. The interior of the building is full of beautifully ornate furniture, with an array of cabinets, chandeliers, and even a grand piano. The structure is also home to a variety of stunningly detailed sculptures and figurines. The Walker Mansion Carriage House is not open to the public, but viewers can still marvel at it from the outside. This spectacular building is definitely one of the most impressive Art Deco carriage houses in the country, and it is a true testament to Furness' talent and vision. Frank Furness' Beautiful Carriage House Design
Frank Furness' Beautiful Carriage House Design
Stacysville Cottage, designed and constructed by the renowned architect and furniture maker, Frank Furness, is one of the most beautiful Art Deco homes in all of Philadelphia. Featuring a unique façade that blends traditional Tudor architecture with Art Deco elements, the home stands out among other buildings in the area. Inside, the home is full of grandeur, with rich furnishings and stunning walls boasting detailed accents and moldings. There's also a magnificent grand staircase that leads to one of the home's many bedrooms and bathrooms. The Stacysville Cottage is not open to the public, but visitors can still get a glimpse of its beautiful exterior when in the area. This gorgeous Art Deco home is definitely one of the most impressive homes Furness ever designed, and it's a perfect example of how the Art Deco era could create truly luxurious living spaces. Frank Furness' Stacysville Cottage
Frank Furness' Stacysville Cottage
Reese House, a beautiful Art Deco home designed by renowned architect and furniture maker, Frank Furness, is one of the most stunning homes of its time. Constructed in the late 1920s, the two-story home boasts an artfully designed façade that blends traditional Victorian architecture with modern Art Deco elements. Inside, the home is full of grandeur, with intricate furniture, detailed ceiling fixtures, and an array of vibrant decorations. There are also a variety of ornate built-in cabinets, as well as marble countertops in the kitchen. Unfortunately, the Reese House is not open to the public, but visitors can still get a glimpse of it when passing by. This amazing Art Deco home is definitely one of the most impressive homes in the area, and it exemplifies Furness' creativity and passion for design. Frank Furness' Reese House Design
Frank Furness' Reese House Design
Littlefield House is a stunningly ornate Art Deco home created by renowned American architect and furniture maker, Frank Furness. Constructed in the late 1920s, the two-story home features an awe-inspiring façade that blends its Art Deco elements with traditional Tudor architecture. Inside, the home is full of ornate furniture and decorations, with the living area boasting an intricate fireplace. The home also features a grand staircase, as well as sets of gorgeous cabinets and built-in furniture. The Littlefield House is not open to the public, but visitors can still get a glimpse of it when passing by. This breathtaking home is a true testament to Furness' eye for design, and it's definitely one of the most impressive Art Deco homes of its time. Frank Furness' Littlefield House
Frank Furness' Littlefield House
Designed and constructed by renowned American architect and furniture maker, Frank Furness, Pleasant Run Farmhouse is one of the most beautiful examples of Art Deco architecture in the United States. Constructed in the early 1900s, the two-story home boasts a stunningly beautiful façade that blends its traditional farmhouse design with modern aesthetic elements. Inside, the home is full of luxurious furnishings and decorations, from rich furniture pieces and beautiful wallpapers to chandeliers and built-in cabinets. The Pleasant Run Farmhouse is not open to the public, but viewers can still appreciate its stunningly ornate exterior when passing by. This magnificent farmhouse is definitely a perfect example of how the Art Deco era could create truly luxurious and elegant homes. Frank Furness' Pleasant Run Farmhouse Design
Frank Furness' Pleasant Run Farmhouse Design
The Buechner & Jacoby House, designed and constructed by renowned American architect and furniture maker, Frank Furness, is one of the most beautiful Art Deco homes around. Constructed in the late 1920s, the two-story home is full of intricate detailing that perfectly captures the spirit of the Art Deco era. The home's façade is full of ornate decorations, from its unique gables and arches to its beautiful ironwork and colors. Inside, the home is decorated with luxurious furnishings, including beautiful custom lithographs and elaborate chandeliers. The Buechner & Jacoby House is not open to the public, but viewers can still get a glimpse of its stunning façade when driving by. This unique building is a perfect example of how the Art Deco era could create truly luxurious and stately homes. The Buechner & Jacoby House: A Frank Furness House Design
The Buechner & Jacoby House: A Frank Furness House Design
Admiring Frank Furness' Legacy: A Small House Plan
Frank Furness, an architect and artist of the Gothic Revival period, has had a huge impact on American architecture since the late 19th century. His bold and unique styles were revolutionary compared to the standard the country was used to; bringing life to a new, blossoming generation of American design. Perhaps most iconic of all, Furness is remembered for his small house plan , a concept that was once radical, now evolved into the modern dream home as we know it.
Many of Furness' designs have been kept the same, with work done to restore Villanova University's Milldale and other similar projects around the country. These keep their original Gothic Revival look, which is perhaps the most encompassing view of sma ll house plans. Elements like tower-like projection, crests, turrets, and battlements have had a lasting impression on house plans, forever shaping how we homemakers think of modern structure.
Other elements of the Frank Furness small house plan include features like rustic outdoor lighting, extended roofs, gables, window treatments (many of which are bay windows or long-windows reaching the entire story), inflated chimneys, distinctive windows, pillars, balconies, and much more. All of these elements are looking to be brought together for compact and cozy living, allowing beautiful dwellings with quality craftsmanship even within tight spaces.
Layout and Design: Modernizing Furness' Plan
Modernizing Frank Furness' initial small house plan is not a difficult task but requires specific attention to details. While maintaining original elements, allowance for greater usage of indoor space through items such as ambient lighting, and planning for open-concept layouts can make a small structure look much bigger depending on the architect's creativity. Also, clever usage of small alleyways and corridors can also maximize small living areas and bring out a certain charm from the former days of Gothic Revival architecture.
For anyone aspiring to own a historic, awe-inspiring home, Frank Furness' small house plan can be the perfect solution. Whether it be restoring a historical site or creating a modern spin on a timeless classic, his small houses can provide a unique experience that will last a lifetime.
