House's architectural style?

8 years ago

My home was built in 1915 and I'm trying to better understand its history and architectural style. It seems like a foursquare but the roof line and lack of dormer are throwing me off. There is a set of stairs up to the 3rd floor, accessed through one of the 3 bedrooms, and the rest of the house's floor plan seems to fit the requirements of an american foursquare. Any thoughts?

There are VERY few original details left in this home, which is heartbreaking. I think the porch light may be original, the porch itself is easily 100 years old but the railings and ceiling are not. I am fortunate enough to have the leaded glass windows preserved in the dining and living room. All the windows (except in the attic) are replacement, many plaster walls have been replaced with drywall, and almost all of the original molding and trim has long been removed.

Does anyone have suggestions for resources and inspiration for the style of this home? I'm very interested in bringing as much of the original character back to life as I can.

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Judy Mishkin

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

greek revival at heart, door not centered on gabled front. they werent all built to grand proportions.

by 1915 a greek revival look was the same as today's faux arts and crafts... the builder would choose bits and pieces for a certain look from the past.

mine is 1870, built by a milkman and his dad, his wife came from a moneyed family (which is why they could afford so much, odds are.) there is an L addition to the rear.

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Comments (8)

Denita
8 years ago
Here is a great website for you to see: http://www.oldhouseguy.com/
PRO
Sombreuil
8 years ago
Impossible to know for sure, because of the intense remodeling, but it may have been a shingled Colonial revival. The windows, siding, and porch are later modifications. The elliptical door and the flare at the base of the attic gable are the clues.

Casey
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PRO
Sombreuil
8 years ago
Sort of like this example.
User
8 years ago
"Foursquare" is a floor plan, not an exterior style.

After a century of remuddling it can be hard to decide what you have.
cpartist
8 years ago
When you remove the fake siding, you'll be able to tell more.

I would also consider joining the American Bungalow Forum on FB.
User
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
It appears to be covered with aluminum so its tough to tell but I would agree that its probably a shingled Colonial Revival perhaps with a remodeled porch given the flared siding under the upper windows. I don't think this is something an aluminum siding installer would do if he could avoid it.

If there is Greek Revival detailing under the aluminum it would be a very late example and rare for Atlanta.

I agree a foursquare is a configuration rather than an architectural style although it was common to only a few styles.
colonialgp
8 years ago
It is the right year for a foursquare. Since it has been remuddled, any chance there were four bedrooms upstairs, instead of three? Old House Journal forum folks will help you with the architectural style. And look around the neighborhood to find similar houses.

Also, hate to break it to you, but your porch light looks like it's from the 1960's.