Italianate Bathroom Design

Italianate Homes

Despite the name, Italianate buildings in America were not usually built by or for Italian families. Rather, the Italianate style is a romanticized vision of Italian housing developed by America's early (and European-educated) architects.

One of the most popular Victorian-era housing styles from the mid- to late-1800s was the Italianate style. The Italianate style quickly became one of the most popular styles in the United States. Some Italianate homes were as simple as a modest two-story home to ornate mansions of sea captains and other wealthy entrepreneurs. Usually two to three stories in height, Italianate homes had flat or hip roofs, bay windows with inset wooden panels, corner boards and two over two double-hung windows. The windows often had curved or molded window caps.

About.com lists these features for Italianate homes.

Low-pitched or flat roof

Wide, overhanging eaves

Decorative paired brackets and cornices

Square cupola

Wood frame

Arcade porch topped with balustrade balconies

Rectangular massing of house

Elaborately decorated

Balanced, symmetrical façade

Emphasis on vertical proportions: 2 to 4 stories

Tall, narrow, double-paned windows with hood moldings

Side bay window

Heavily molded double doors

Roman or segmented arches above windows and doors

Italianate Websites

Old House Web has tons of information and pictures of the Italianate home style.

Astors' Beechwood was one of Newport's oldest summer cottages and was noted for its fine Italianate architecture.

About.com

Realtor Magazine Online

Renssalaer County Historical Society

Wentworth Studio

Adrian Architecture

Italianate in Buffalo

Victorian Italianate House

Italianate architecture

Italinate Bathroom Design on HGTV

Our Fixer Upper blog