I’ve been enjoying an excellent article on Italian Renaissance style in home design at Houzz. Not quite the same as Italianate, which has a more vaulting and interpretive look, Italian Renaissance is a more purist style. It came from Italian builders reaching back into classical architecture and bringing it forward into their 15th century, from where it has endured through the ages since. It became popular in the US in the early part of the last century.
Pictures are worth a lot more than words. Look at some of these homes across the country, with hipped roofs and continuous eave lines, arch entrances and beautifully expressive windows.
This Florida home utilizes the trio of arches common to the style:
This next one shows very restrained look, free of flourishes, but utterly beautiful with a salmon color and white-ish trim. A villa made to coexist with its landscaping. Restraint is a matter of taste, but if you want it, it comes easily to this classical Renaissance style:
Here’s another Florida home. I adore this house. I love the walls. Italian Renaissance style evidently can be severe on window space, but this in turn allows the walls to speak also, which is a rare thing I think. This home seems entirely private and understated, and in a perfect setting as it appears in the picture:
And for a study in contrasts that shows how versatile this Renaissance style can be, try the next two pictures. The first shows an enormously open approach in this Colorado home:
And the next is an astonishing rendition of the style in a California home:
For more pictures of wonderful homes, and more information, do take a look at the Houzz article. Written by architect Steven Randel, it forms part of the Roots of Style series at Houzz.com:
Roots of Style: The 3 Waves of Italian Renaissance
