The Italian Renaissance style became popular in the 1880’s and remained so into the mid 1930′s. It is a much more authentic interpretation of classical Italian architecture than the earlier”Italianate” style of the mid 1800′s. First begun in 1883 by the firm of McKim, Mead and White in New York, other fashionable architects of the time used the style as a sharp contrast to the Gothic-inspired Shingle or Queen Anne styles ofthe era.
The Mission and Spanish Eclectic styles also share similarities with the Italian Renaissance style in exterior finishes (tile roof and stucco walls), however can be easily distinguished by their eave conditions. The Italian Renaissance style almost always has wide boxed-in eaves with decorative brackets underneath, unlike either the Spanish (very little overhang) or Mission (open eaves) styles.
Today there are a wide variety of homes designedwith the label of “Mediterranean.” These designs are generally an eclectic mix of different styles andcan be found all over the country. Apparently, the only real criteria for the category of Mediterranean is the use of some stucco on the exterior and/or a red roof. They, unfortunately, bear little resemblance in either the details or layout to the authentic and classically inspired Italian Renaissance homes that were produced at the turn of the previous century.
Identifying Features of the ITALIAN RENAISSANCE Style for this Design
Floor Plan Features
This is a single living area home with 2 eating areas, 4 bedrooms, 4 full baths, 2 half baths, and a 2 + 1 car garage.The upstairs also features a front facing balcony, a game roomand room for a future media room. A wine vault is located directly off the Formal Dining downstairs.
The exterior of this design features a clay tile roof and brick veneer exterior using flush grout joints between the brick, to provide a smooth surface resembling stucco. Cast stone !accents and columns provide classical detailing and the !louvered shutters and bracketed wide eaves help finish thelook of this cla ssic Italian Renaissance design.
1st floor (a/c): 3400 s.f.
2nd floor (a/c): 1450 s.f.
Total (a/c): 4850 s.f.
This original Italian Renaissance house was designed by Heritage Design Studio for the subdivision of Old Grove in Colleyville. If you are interested in seeing this or other unique designs, please visit: www.HeritageDesignStudio.comOr contact Chris Hough (email: chris@HeritageDesignStudio.com)
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