When it comes to Art Deco house designs, Victorian architecture is one of the most influential in the genre. Popular during the mid to late 19th century, Victorian house designs were characterized by highly ornate and decorative detailing, asymmetric and asymmetrical façades, and a variety of other features such as towers, cupolas, soaring gables, and intricate rooftop trim. The first age of the Victorian period was the Romantic style, which saw the use of locally sourced materials and natural forms in constructing homes. Later Victorian styles such as the Second Empire and Queen Anne adopted more classical influences, resulting in highly ornamented homes with elaborate exterior and interior designs. As the Art Deco era emerged, many of the distinct features of Victorian architecture were embraced in these new Art Deco house designs. Richly detailed and lavishly decorated interiors were a hallmark of the Victorian era, and many Art Deco designs carried this into the new century. Ornate staircases, grand fireplaces, high ceilings, stained glass windows, and other distinctive touches remained popular, although the colors and materials were revised to accommodate the more modern aesthetic of the Art Deco movement.Victorian House Designs
Georgian architecture is closely associated with the Art Deco house style, and some of the most iconic Art Deco residences were modeled after Georgian designs. Georgian house designs feature symmetrical façades, incorporating classical elements such as columns, arches, pediments, and a symmetric appearance overall. Additional features include flat roofs, front doors with fanlights above them, and often times porticos or porches. In the realm of Art Deco house designs, Georgian style homes tended to have a more geometric look, with a regular pattern of windows and a square or rectangular central entryway. However, classic Georgian characteristics such as Palladian windows and pediments were often retained. Inside, the tall ceilings, formal plans, and classical designs of the Georgian era remained popular.Georgian House Designs
The Arts and Crafts movement of the late 19th and early 20th century was an important influence in the emergence of the Art Deco style. As the name implies, Arts and Crafts house designs focused on handcrafted elements and an appreciation for nature and the organic world. Influenced by the English Arts and Crafts movement, Arts and Crafts house designs in America focused on simplicity and function, with an emphasis on craftsmanship and natural motifs. The Art Deco period incorporated many of the characteristics of the Arts and Crafts movement while adding a more modern aesthetic. For instance, Arts and Crafts features such as exposed beams, stone fireplaces, wood and iron detailing, and stained glass windows were retained in Art Deco homes, but often with an updated look. Exposed brick walls, geometric patterns, and other distinct touches were also common in Art Deco house designs derived from the Arts and Crafts style.Arts and Crafts House Design
Tudor house designs are closely associated with the Art Deco period, as the two styles share many elements. Overall, the style is characterized by stucco and stone exteriors with half-timbering, steeply pitched roofs, and notable styles such as protruding chimneys. Tudor house designs typically feature arched entryways and casement windows, with a multi-paned style often used on the upper floors. The Art Deco period saw a proliferation of Tudor house designs with an emphasis on high quality materials and craftsmanship, although the practicality of the style was somewhat blurred in the transition to the new style. Modern-day Tudor house designs present an interesting combination of English and French influences, with an added contemporary flair.Tudor House Designs
Folk Victorian house designs are a mix of the Victorian style and the Arts and Crafts style, and they have become increasingly popular in recent years for their combination of decorative elements and nostalgia. Identified by their steeply pitched roofs, ornamental detailing, and lacy gingerbread trim, Folk Victorian houses are also known for their bay windows, wrap-around porch, and complex ornate details. The Art Deco era incorporated many of the same decorative features of the Folk Victorian style, while introducing more modern touches such as flat roofs, geometric patterns, and terra cotta tiles. While elements such as ornate brackets and bargeboards were still popular, Folk Victorian house designs from the Art Deco period were often more streamlined and subdued. Folk Victorian House Designs
Neoclassical house designs draw heavily from the classical Greek and Roman eras of architecture, and Art Deco homes often made use of the many distinctive features of the Neoclassical style. This includes elements such as pillared porches, symmetrical façades, and ornate details like pilasters, pediments, and dentils. While some Neoclassical designs were decidedly more ornate, Art Deco house designs tended to display more restraint. Colors were often kept in more neutral hues, while interior details were simplified and often made use of modern materials such as steel and glass. The influence of Neoclassical architecture was particularly strong in Art Deco house designs such as the Mediterranean and Spanish Modern styles, which took influence from the Mediterranean cultures of Spain, France, and Italy.Neoclassical House Designs
The Italianate style is one of the oldest architectural forms, and has been popular in American homes since the early 19th century. Characterized by steeply pitched roofs, wide eaves, and highly ornate detailing, Italianate house designs were among the most popular styles of the Victorian era. Other defining features of Italianate architecture were the arched entryways, bay windows, wrought iron elements, and prominent towers. In the Art Deco age, Italianate designs were updated with more modern materials and features. For instance, flat roofs became more prevalent, while windows and doors were altered in shape and size. Interiors of Italianate house designs were often open and airy, with high ceilings and an emphasis on light and spaciousness.Italianate House Designs
Gothic Revivals house designs were particularly popular throughout the Victorian era, and many of the defining elements of these designs were embraced by the Art Deco movement. Characterized by steeply pitched roofs and intricately detailed exteriors, Gothic Revival house designs frequently made use of steep gables, pointed arches, lancet windows, and a variety of other features. During the Art Deco period, Gothic Revivals house designs often featured more modern materials and styling. This included the use of flat roofs, stepped gables, and simple linear trim rather than the more elaborate detailing seen in the Victorian era. Interiors of Gothic Revival house designs were still inspired by the world of Gothic architecture, but were often updated with vibrant colors and large expanses of glass, as seen in the popular Mediterranean style of Art Deco residences.Gothic Revival House Designs
The Second Empire style emerged during the turbulent times of the late 19th century, and drew influence from both the French Second Empire and the styles of the Victorian era. Distinctive features of Second Empire house designs include a mansard roof, arched dormers, elaborate bracketing, and a variety of other ornamental details. During the Art Deco period, Second Empire house designs were updated with a more modern aesthetic. This included flat roofs and simpler designs for both internal and external elements. The mansard roof was often a defining feature
of Second Empire houses from the Art Deco era, and other popular features included tall arched windows, curved terraces, and interior stairways with ornate wrought iron balustrades.Second Empire House Designs
Greek Revivals house designs remain some of the most iconic and beloved styles of the past, and Art Deco house designs often adopted elements of the Greek Revival architecture. Common features included large columns, detailed dentil work, pediments, and a variety of other ornamental features. During the Art Deco period, Greek Revival designs were updated with a more streamlined aesthetic, and many houses were characterized by flat roofs and simpler detailing. Interior features such as tall, arched windows and curved staircases were also popular, as were ornate fireplaces, plaster ceilings, and other classic touches.Greek Revival House Designs