A center hallway is a type of floor plan where a hallway runs through the center of the home, typically connecting the front and rear entrances of the home. In many homes, the center hallway links a living area or dining room with a kitchen, bedrooms and bathrooms.
In some homes, a center hallway may also lead to an attached garage, basement or other storage area. In homes with a two-story layout, the center hallway often serves as the connection between the upper and lower levels.
Center hallways are fairly common in Colonial, Victorian, and Craftsman homes, but they are also found in many modern homes. They provide a convenient way to move between rooms in the home while also providing natural light, ventilation, and views.
What makes a house a Colonial?
A Colonial house typically refers to a house built in the American colonial period, between 1600 and 1800. These houses were predominately two stories, with a center hallway and two rooms on either side.
Many also have an attic and storage areas. Colonial houses generally have balanced and symmetrical facades and roof lines. Often, the roof is oblong, with a center chimney, which is typical of the style.
The windows in a colonial house tend to be rectangular and symmetrically placed. The siding is normally clapboard and is often sided with corner quoins. Trimming and window frames are often painted in different colours for contrast.
Inside, doors are often paneled and floors are normally made from wide, wooden boards.
How can you tell if a house is a Colonial?
If you’re looking to determine if a house is a Colonial, one of the best ways is to look at its exterior and architecture. Many Colonial houses have symmetrical exteriors with a central, front door in the middle of the façade.
The entrance is typically flanked by two windows on both sides and likely has an upper story with two more windows above the doorway. Additionally, many Colonial homes have either a gabled or side-gabled roof, which means its roof has two sloping sides that come together at the top.
Other notable characteristics of Colonial houses can include a large central chimney and classical columns on the porch or portico. Finally, Colonials tend to have minimal decoration, though you may find some shutters on the windows or a simple trim around the door frame or roof line.
What is colonial-style house interior?
Colonial-style house interior design is heavily inspired by the original Colonial American homes from the 1700s and typically features symmetrical designs and simple, clean lines. The colonial-style interior typically uses wood paneling or wainscoting on the lower walls with warm tones for the hardwood floors, be it oak, cherry or walnut.
Fireplaces are often the focal point of the room with a mantle made of wood or stone. The use of patterns in the rugs, upholstery and other fabrics is usually kept minimalistic. The furniture is usually made from dark, rich woods and features cushy, comfortable seating such as oversized chairs and sofas.
Accessories are kept simple but elegant, and often includes brass figurines, ceramic vases, and silk pillows. The color palette typically consists of deep, warm colors such as red, blues and greens, often incorporating hues such as cream, beige and white.
What is a modern colonial home?
A modern colonial home is a type of architecture that combines the styles of a colonial home with the conveniences and technologies of modern homes. Modern colonial homes feature classic architectural details such as symmetrical window and door placement on the facade, stately gabled roofs, and columns and portico entries supported by heavy wooden beams.
These elements combine to create an elegant and timeless look.
Modern colonial homes are typically constructed with high-grade materials, including brick, stucco and wood, and feature state-of-the-art amenities such as electrical lighting, central heating and cooling, and plumbing systems.
These comforts and luxuries of modern life can be combined with ever-popular formal dining and living rooms, along with more casual family rooms and hardwood floors.
Modern colonial homes often have a bright and airy interior, with large windows allowing plenty of natural light. Open floor plans allow for easy entertaining and bring out the home’s functionality and charm.
While these modern homes can often be found in contemporary neighborhoods or gated communities, they also look right at home along a cobblestone street.
What did colonists houses look like?
Colonists’ houses varied greatly in what they looked like, depending on the time period and location. In the earliest colonies, such as those in Virginia and Massachusetts, homes were often small and basic, and built from local materials.
They were typically simple one or two room dwellings, constructed from logs and covered with clay or wooden shingles. In the 17th and 18th centuries, homes in the Southern colonies were often more elaborate and grand, featuring brick and stone construction, large windows, and columns in the front.
These houses were often built in a Colonial Revival architectural style, with symmetrical designs, centered front entrances, and fan-shaped windows of different shapes and sizes. In other areas of the country, such as Pennsylvania or upstate New York, early houses were mostly of wooden construction, and could range from small log cabins to large, two-stories with detailed trim and multiple rooms.
In general, most colonist homes were fairly small, by today’s standards, and not overly decorated. They were practical, made to serve the occupants’ needs, and were often a reflection of the family’s personal values and beliefs.
What did houses look like in colonial times?
In colonial times, houses were primarily made from wood. The most common style of house during this period was the Saltbox, which featured a was long, sloped roof and a chimney in the center of each side.
To the sides of the home were often added lean-tos, which extended the back wall of the house downward and provided additional storage and living space. On the exterior of the house, the roof and walls were often covered in clapboard siding, a type of wooden shingle, for protection against the elements.
Interior design of colonial houses often featured larger public spaces, such as the parlor, and smaller private areas, such as the bedchambers. Most colonial homes featured a hearth, which served both cooking and heating functions, and furniture was quite limited and basic.
Floors were usually wooden planks or sometimes dirt-packed, and windows were small and usually coated with oiled parchment.
Colonial houses were normally built for both form and function, since these homes were designed to provide shelter and a comfortable atmosphere to their occupants. This is why there was such a great emphasis on the construction of a reliable, warm and energy efficient structure with as few spaces between boards as possible.
They also often featured large wrap-around porches – a feature which bridged the gap between the indoors and outdoors while providing its inhabitants with plenty of space to gather and relax.
Do colonial houses have porches?
Yes, colonial houses often have porches. Colonial porches generally have a sense of grace and grandeur, with detailed architectural elements like balustrades, columns, arches, and bracketing. They often have large windows and feature detailed door and window trim like dentil molding and gable pediments.
Colonial porches may also be screened in or feature a roof to help protect against sun and rain. While some colonial houses have wide front porches, they can also be found on the side and in the back of a house.
The porch may be open or covered, featuring stone or wood flooring, allowing the homeowner to enjoy the outdoors and provide extra room for entertaining.
What is the difference between Cape Cod and colonial?
The term Cape Cod is often used to refer to a style of house design that is distinguished by its steep roof, large central chimney, symmetrical windows, and a facade that faces the street. This style of architecture originated in New England during the 1600s and is named after the Cape Cod region in Massachusetts.
In contrast, Colonial architecture is a catchall term used to describe homes built during the Colonial era, which spans from the 1500s to the mid-1800s. This style of home typically has two stories and a symmetrical facade with a central door flanked by windows.
This style of architecture includes a variety of styles such as the Georgian, Federal, Dutch, French, and Spanish Colonial.
What is considered colonial architecture?
Colonial architecture is the style of architecture that originated with the colonization of North America during the 17th and 18th centuries. This style of architecture was heavily influenced by the European powers that settled in the newfound lands, and was developed by adapting European styles to the new climate and environment of the Americas.
The main features of colonial architecture are symmetry, balance, elegance, and simplicity.
The most common building types associated with colonial architecture are churches, government buildings, and houses. These buildings were designed to be large, grand, and impressive, often featuring grand doors, multiple stories, and grand staircases with curved balustrades.
Public buildings were often embellished with decorative stone, woodwork, and carved stone details to further impress visiting dignitaries and visitors.
In terms of residential architecture, colonials were often characterized by two-story facades that are sometimes referred to as “saltbox” designs, steep roofs, dormer windows, small porches, and large brick chimneys.
House styles varied depending on the region and available materials, but common house styles included French Colonial, Spanish Colonial, Dutch Colonial, and Georgian.
These styles of architecture continue to be popular today, and many historic homes have been carefully preserved or recreated to preserve the history and beauty of colonial design.
What is colonial decorating style?
Colonial decorating style is a classic, timeless design style that originated in America during the colonial period and was a blend of early European and indigenous influences. It is characterized by simple, traditional furniture, solid colors, and attention to details.
Some of the most common features of colonial decorating include wood paneled walls and floors, antiques, oversized furniture, and exposed beams, logs, and stone walls. Furniture often consists of dark woods such as walnut, mahogany, and cherry, along with upholstered pieces with simple prints.
Colors are typically muted or neutral with occasional accent colors such as deep red, sage green, or navy. Fabrics usually feature stripes, plaids, solids, flowers, and traditional designs. Accessories include items such as candle holders, open wooden shelves, oil lamps, pewter, and brass.
Lighting is often kept simple with wrought iron, wire cages, and hanging lanterns. This traditional style can be used to create an inviting, cozy atmosphere that will be enjoyed for years to come.
What are colonial colors?
Colonial colors refer to the traditional combination of colors associated with the British colonists in North America during the 17th and 18th centuries. These colors often included red, yellow, blue, and green, though other hues such as orange and brown were occasionally used.
The colonists used the color palette to evoke a sense of patriotism and colonial pride. Red was a popular color for flags, uniforms and military accoutrements. Yellow was a more muted color, often used for clothing, furniture, and other utilitarian items.
Blue was often used for blankets, sails and banners, as well as for depicting democracy and loyalty. Green was used to evoke the beauty of nature and the bounty of the colonies. All of these colors were used in combination in many products of the period, including household decor and objects.
Today, the colonial color palette remains an effective way to evoke nostalgia or a sense of history.
What was a typical floor plan of an early American home?
The typical floor plan of an early American home would often vary from region to region and from period to period. However, some common themes could be observed in the design of early American homes.
The main living area would typically include the kitchen and the great room, which was the main social area for the family. The great room commonly featured a large fireplace, which was the family’s primary source of heat in the winter months.
Beyond the great room was often a bedroom that was used by the master or matriarch of the family. The rest of the home often included other bedrooms, storage areas, and even a second floor.
Some homes would feature a front porch, which was an important part of life in an early American community. It provided an ideal spot for visiting with neighbors and discussing the events of the day.
It also a gave people a way of life that was easily visible to their neighbors, allowing them to show off their wealth and status.
Finally, many early American homes featured a large backyard, which was often used for gardening, livestock, and other activities. The backyard was a great source of pride for many familes, and was often filled with beautiful flowerbeds and lush green lawns.
This was especially true for cities and towns, where the backyard was one of the only places for families to experience some escape from the hustle of everyday life.
How many rooms did most early colonial houses have?
Most early colonial houses were quite small, usually consisting of one or two rooms. A typical single-room house was divided vertically, with the kitchen and living space on the lower level, and a loft bedroom on the upper level.
Multi-roomed houses, while not as common, were still popular among the more affluent colonists. Common multi-roomed houses typically consisted of a great room which served as both a living and dining space, a smaller parlor or sitting room, two or three bedrooms, and a kitchen.
It was not uncommon for some of the upper-class homes to have additional rooms such as a study, library, washroom, smokehouse, and pantry.
What was housing like in the 1800s?
Housing in the 1800s varied drastically depending on region, economic status, and other factors. For those living in rural areas, houses were usually small and simple, often constructed of local materials and based on regional traditions and customs.
Depending on the time period, rural housing might include log cabins, stone houses, clay or sod houses, or a variety of other building types. In urban areas, housing was more diverse, with a range of sizes and levels of craftsmanship, quality materials, and levels of sophistication.
Homes that were owned by working- or middle-class citizens during this time period were generally small and simple, but varied depending on the financial resources of a particular family. In the most basic form, housing structures in the United States during the 1800s were typically made up of two rooms.
Typically, the main living space was situated in the front of the home and the kitchen was located on the other side of a partition located at the back of the house. Homes may also have had a loft or attic space, which could be used as additional living space or storage.
Modern amenities such as electricity and running water were nonexistent in the 1800s, and many households relied on open fireplaces for heat and for cooking. Home furnishings of the period were sparse and largely handmade.
In wealthier households, imported decorative items from Europe could be found in addition to simple furnishings that served both decorative and functional purposes.
The 1800s were a time of transition in the United States when many individuals moved from rural to urban areas and established homes in the newly growing cities. As industry and immigration grew throughout the early and mid-1800s, a range of housing was created, from small single-room structures to large multi-room dwellings.
It was during this period that the first distinct architectural styles began to emerge and evolve, laying the foundation for the distinct housing styles found in the United States today.