The Cecil Gale Shirtwaist House is most-likely one of the first examples of a vintage art deco house design that was ever created. It is often seen as the predecessor to the Shirtwaist houses that followed, such as George Willis’ and Richard Miller’s. It features a stone base, arched entryway, patterned brick siding, and a stuccoed octagonal-shaped tower with an iconic Eyebrow roof. The interior of the Cecil Gale Shirtwaist House is designed with classical elements such as marble fireplaces, decorative mantels, wall paneling, large stained-glass windows, and antique furniture.Cecil Gale Shirtwaist House Design
Cecil Gale Shirtwaist House Design
George Willis’ shirtwaist house design is known for its attention to detail and decorative exterior features. This type of shirtwaist house includes a wall of simplified windows on the front façade, a single-story format, and horizontal brick courses forming unique rough designs. Inside, the George Willis home is filled with deep woods, built-in cabinetry, detailed artwork, and a symmetrical layout.George Willis’ Shirtwaist House Design
George Willis’ Shirtwaist House Design
The Richard Miller’ shirtwaist house design differs from the traditional shirtwaist style in that it was constructed as a two-story Craftsman Bungalow. The exterior features patterned brickwork, an arched entryway, and a stuccoed octagonal-shaped tower with an iconic Eyebrow roof. Inside, the Richard Miller home boasts a large open common area on the main floor that includes a living and dining room combination, a sunroom, and full-length windows that bring in natural light. Additionally, the home has an interior spiral staircase, built-in woodwork, and luxurious ornate features.Richard Miller’s Craftsman Bungalow Shirtwaist House Design
Richard Miller’s Craftsman Bungalow Shirtwaist House Design
The Green’s shirtwaist house design offers a unique take on the traditional shirtwaist home. Instead of the usual two-story homes with arched front doors, the Greens designed a one-story abode with an unassuming pitched roof and tall windows. The inside of this particular shirtwaist house is designed with a mixture of modern and traditional elements, including paneling, parquet floors, and recessed shelving.The Green’s Shirtwaist House Design
The Green’s Shirtwaist House Design
Jensen and Deen’s shirtwaist house design is an expansive two-story structure that has traditional elements blended with modern touches. It features a stone base, arched window frames, a decorative front balcony roofing, and a large brick chimney. Inside, Jensen and Deen’s house is painted in light blues and whites with hardwood floors and linen-covered furniture. The home also boasts intricate woodworking, unique built-ins, and a grand staircase.Jensen & Deen’s Shirtwaist House Design
Jensen & Deen’s Shirtwaist House Design
Alfred Hitchcock’s shirtwaist Usonian house design was a type of modern architecture developed by Frank Lloyd Wright. It features an elegant stone façade, an open plan interior layout, and a circular roof. Inside, Hitchcock’s house is filled with earthy textures like terracotta floors, travertine countertops, and mahogany furnishings. It also has large windows and sliding glass doors to bring in natural light.Alfred Hitchcocks’ Shirtwaist Usonian House Design
Alfred Hitchcocks’ Shirtwaist Usonian House Design
Alfred Grunsfeld, Jr.’s Queen Anne shirtwaist design is a hybrid of the traditional Queen Anne and shirtwaist styles. It features a large stone base, a single-story layout, and ornate brickwork. Inside, the Grunsfeld house includes a majestic reception hall, latticed ceilings, and carved pillars. It also features a grand staircase and extensive fireplaces and trim.Alfred Grunsfeld, Jr.’s Queen Anne Shirtwaist Design
Alfred Grunsfeld, Jr.’s Queen Anne Shirtwaist Design
Pollack & Halstead’s minimalist shirtwaist house design is a one-story structure that features a low-pitched roof and continuous-seam metal siding. The minimalist design reduces ornamentation, resulting in a sleek and simple aesthetic both inside and outside the home. Inside, Pollack and Halstead’s house includes a generous living room, separate kitchen, and three bedrooms, as well as a large deck that wraps around the entire home.Pollack & Halstead’s Minimalist Shirtwaist House Design
Pollack & Halstead’s Minimalist Shirtwaist House Design
Moses Dyckman’s shingle-style shirtwaist house design is an iconic example of the Shingle Style. It features an eye-catching window facade, tall chimneys, and a generous wrap-around porch. Inside, Dyckman’s home is painted in bright colors and filled with traditional and contemporary furniture, as well as unique built-ins. This house also has old-fashioned amenities, like a walk-in pantry and original hardware.Moses Dyckman’s Shingle Style Shirtwaist House Design
Moses Dyckman’s Shingle Style Shirtwaist House Design
Joseph Urban’s Art Nouveau shirtwaist house design is a two-story style that features a unique Art Nouveau façade with colorful stained glass windows. The home’s interior includes ornately painted walls, period lighting fixtures, and a wood-paneled study. The house also has an open-plan layout, a grand staircase, and an interior patio with keyhole-shaped window openings.Joseph Urban’s Art Nouveau Shirtwaist House Design
Joseph Urban’s Art Nouveau Shirtwaist House Design
Shirtwaist House Design Overview
The
shirtwaist house
is a type of residential architecture that began to gain popularity in the early 1900s. It was part of the
American Foursquare
style of housing and was designed to appeal to middle-class families. The shirtwaist house was often two-and-a-half stories, with a full-height attic and a wide front porch. Inside, the main floor contained a living and dining room and kitchen, while the upstairs was divided into several small bedrooms.
Shirtwaist houses were constructed from a variety of materials, including brick, stucco, and wooden siding. They were often symmetrical in design, with two projecting wings and a central dormer in the center of the roof. Although the shirtwaist house was considered a contemporary style when it first appeared, it quickly became popular with traditional and modern homebuyers alike.
Highlighted Features
The exterior features of the typical shirtwaist house often included a single-pitched roof, upper- story windows that are placed in a symmetrical pattern, wide porches, bay windows, and roof dormers. Inside, the floor plan was often very linear with a central hallway, several bedrooms on the second level, and a kitchen located at the rear of the house.
The interior of a shirtwaist house was typically decorated with high-quality materials. Hardwood floors, crown moulding, and marble fireplaces were all common features. Many of the houses also featured stained glass windows and beamed ceilings.
Practical Considerations
For practical reasons, the shirtwaist house was designed to be easy to build and maintain. Its basic, box-like shape made it easy to construct, and it used cheaper materials than larger houses, which made it an affordable choice for middle-class homebuyers. The symmetrical design and large windows also let lots of natural light into the house, which helped to reduce the need for artificial lighting during the day.
The shirtwaist house was a popular residential style for many years in the United States, and can still be seen in some parts of the country today. It is a timeless and practical design that appeals to homebuyers looking for a classic American style.
