Charming: Pleasant or attractive.

It’s usually proportional to human dimensions.

When I think of "charming," I think of a cottage.

Something small, something that *never* overwhelms; kinda understated from far away, but with cute details up close. I think of natural materials. A little whimsy and fun. A little wild, in that everything isn't perfectly manicured. Informal, asymmetrical, but balanced. Colorful.

Size and scale generally matter when it comes to "charming", though I've seen grand old Victorians that I would still consider charming, so I suppose for me that comes down to decorative detail on the exterior.

My taste, such as it is, runs to clean, contemporary design and decor, which, I fear, isn't really "charming." I think of "charming" as human-scaled, no 2 story rooms, lots of what Susanka calls "away spaces" that are cozy corners for reading or whatever, so a step away from full open concept. I'd expect to see natural materials - wood floors, stone counters, traditional fireplace with mantel. Decor-wise, good wood or veneer furniture, lots of lamps, genuine Oriental rugs, and real art, not box-store generic art by the yard, along with interesting bits and pieces acquired on life's journey. Personality, that's what a charming house has.

I have seen moderate-size country homes that are charming, and others of the same size that are not. Suburban ranches and splits and colonials with, and without, charm. Even cottages that are not so charming. MCM can be charming. Contemporary can have charm. For me, it’s about human scale as others have said, and that sense of discovery and delight. I’m not so sure it’s all about the decorating, although the decor can help or hinder the charm quotient.

A house is charming when it showcases the personality of the occupants.

Like One Devoted Dame, I think of a cottage. I recently watched The Holiday and a home featured in that movie (Rosehill Cottage in the movie) is what comes to mind. For me the things that lend it charm are the setting, natural stone, roof material (although it looks like it's sagging), size, garden/gate/path, and I love the blue/green color of the door and trim. You just expect a cozy fire in the fireplace and to be welcomed with a cup of hot chocolate.

You might benefit from collecting pictures of homes you find charming and see if you can find commonalities that help define what charm means to you.

Charming is different to different people as evidenced by ODD's comments and by Chicagoans. I find craftsman bungalows charming.

Entertaining old friends surrounded by warm, protective stone.

To me it’s like wisdom - acquired over time

If you think about it, this is a charming home:

Charming: a nice compliment when ‘pretty’ or ‘attractive’ is a stretch

Actually, give me "charming" over "pretty" every time. "Pretty" can be banal; "chaming" is at least interesting. (I feel much the same about the terms when applied to people as I do when talking about houses)

Charming to me is in the details. Wide plank pine floors, a cozy fireplace especially a small river rock type, comfortable furniture, maybe an arched door and wood beams. I also think "cottage" although a cottage doesn't have to be small. After all the Newport, RI grand mansions were called "cottages"!

After reading the comments above, I think we can all agree that "charming" is a very subjective adjective to describe a home. It isn't specific as to style, size, or decor. What one person describes as charming, another will find it banal. Sometimes it's code in real estate speak for "quirky" or NOT attractive.

If you tell the architect you want "charming" you aren't really giving him/her any concrete or specific requirements. Your best bet is to describe your wants and needs, and show photos of what style you like, selecting the homes that you consider charming, and see where it goes from there.

bpath, I really enjoyed reading your comment! Well done. :)

I have nothing intelligent to add, carry on.

Sometimes it's code in real estate speak for "quirky" or NOT attractive.

Or small. There are an awful lot of very "charming", very tiny apartments in NYC and Washington, DC.

It is hard to nail down – isn’t it? When I was trying to invasion what Charm was to me, I didn’t even consider what the outside looked like.

Bpath, I too enjoyed reading your comment and I think your description comes the closet to what I mean as well.

Charming = Interesting! Thank you Jmm1837! That sums it up nice and tidy for me!

One house I keep revisiting in my mind had lots of doors to the outside. Different places in the yard to visit. It really appealed to me to be able to enter the yard and not always have to exit the room, go down the hall and through the kitchen to the back door. That was part of the charm of that house.

I think I will leave “charm” off the list, unless I solicit the architect’s definition first. :-)

Yes, as others have said, "charm" is so personal and subjective that no two definitions may be the same.

My suggestion is to concentrate on needs and wants in three contexts: site, exterior and interior of the house.

In so doing the OP's "charm" should emerge.

To me, it has a little bit of magic, meaning you fall under its spell a bit

(no doubt I'm influnced by Russian meaning of the word)

you're enchanted by it , and it's pleasing, and it begs you to stay and discover more. It doesn't have to be beautiful per se-beautiful is more encompassing term, although I suspect just as subjective.

It can be quirky, it can be a little bit ugly even.

The thing is-it keeps your interest. You're not eager to leave, you want to linger. And then you want to come back.

By what means it's done in architecture and design? I agree a lot with bpath and others. It takes humans into account, a lot. Their everyday. What they long for(of course different people long for different things, but there are some similarities.)

It probably is not busy in exalting you, (which can be a purpose of a building too), but more enticing you, enveloping you, and putting you at ease while doing that. It's not pretentious, or else you won't be at ease. It has a good indoor-outdoor relationship. It has "je ne sais quoi" maybe. So you want to discover more. The "quoi")) And you might, but there's always more.

I do associate it a lot with details like natural, handmade, lots of human presence-and you want to imagine and decipher all that life..not revealing everything at once, but has something to reaveal in every spot..plants help..size-to me, usually smaller indeed..doesn't have to be but seems to be not that grand, by careful planning..or can be small but look comfortable enough, also by careful planning..

Openings are considered..doors, windows, pathways, connection between spaces..if more open-has other surprises, ladders and corners and such. Again, caters to human scale and to a desire to be enveloped.

In real estate, can be a code indeed))

But I'm very drawn to such houses, so when I see them I know. It's like they smile at you, or wink at you, or play hide and seek..

In urban settings-yes one can achieve "charming" in an otherwise pretty straighforward apartment, by means of how he approaches design and decor. Can be many things but personality shines through. The building might not be charming, the home will be. Never overdo it in a modest building. Again should envelop and put an ease rather than dumbfound.

To me, the things that make a house charming are the little touches. Things like handy built-in shelving that also happens to be pretty. Pretty or unique moulding (think baseboards, crown moulding, trim around windows, etc.) Let's see... what else? When I think of a house that has charm - it's not cookie cutter. Maybe arched openings and doorways? Exposed brick or stone... done in way that looks as though it's been there for a 100 years and you just uncovered it. That's a big part of charm for me - when you create something in way that of course it's new, but it doesn't LOOK brand new. (In the good way - not in the sense that it looks beat up and old.) They don't make houses the way they used to. So I would look at older homes and find things I find charming about them - and replicate them. Ornate newel posts on stairs for example- that's not common anymore. Whatever it is that stands out to you - find ways to incorporate some of those touches into your home. Maybe it's the front porch - maybe it's a little wrought iron gate at your front walk.

" They don't make houses the way they used to "-for sure..I usually try to guess the age of real estate listings..if they're good, really good, proportional, etc etc-most likely were built before the war..)) or there was an architect or very prominent developer involved..I'm almost never mistaken)))

Seems like charming applies more to older homes..smaller windows that frame sweet views...cozier spaces...less connection to big views and open floor plans..sort of the opposite to what most people want in their homes today...

Check out “charming homes” in photos...nothing says what you like ..like a picture..to show the designer or contractor...who will also be able to let you how much it will add to your cost

Another thought...added charm usually means added maintenance...more nooks and crannies to dust and decorate...more stuff ...

Btydrvn, but it doesn’t have to. There are some MCM homes that are very clean-lined, yet have quite a bit of charm.

"I have nothing intelligent to add, carry on."

Never stopped me.

Well, the word "charming" probably DOES mean - free of ostentatious overdone exercises in excess. No double staircases wrapping down to a marble floored foyer that is 2 stories tall with an enormous chandelier.

While I don't think a house has to be small, or cut up, or necessarily confining to be "charming" (although I agree it is a real estate code word for all of those things), I do think it means that there are unexpected elements, quirky surprises and a touch of whimsy. I also DO tend to associate "charming" more with vernacular architecture than with Grand Manors or plats of too-similar development houses.

I also agree that a picture is worth a thousand words. Maybe compile a Pinterest board, or something similar, of photos of what you DO consider charming. And your architect may be able to decipher visual vocabulary you are trying to express.

My first thought was a storybook home. Or a craftsman bungalow. Real stone, wood, a fireplace, bookshelves and molding, I guess a loving attention to detail. A real Home. Or look at Mcmansion hell and do the opposite.

Similar to a charming person...you want to spend time with them, they make you feel good about yourself, you don’t tire of them easily and they’re typically not formal but comfortable and a little interesting. Totally subjective. I think a charming home is the same for me, not perfect, not formal but comfortable and makes me feel special or good in it.

Never stopped me.

As if I thought it would. ;>)