As the fourth-largest city in the United States, Houston is
also notably diverse. The city has a multicultural population, active arts
scene, and booming business sector. Since its founding in 1836, the city has
also seen the rise and fall of many architectural trends, which are still
apparent when looking at residences throughout the many neighborhoods. If you’re
in the market for a home in Houston, here’s a rundown of some of the more
popular styles and ways to incorporate house painting Houston to enhance your
home.
Victorian
Popular in the period between 1860 and 1900, Victorian homes
actually include homes built in several styles, such as Queen Anne, Shingle,
and Gothic Revival. These houses feature highly ornate decorations and
embellishments as a defining characteristic. Other features common to this
style include bay windows, stained glass, and steep roofs. Even large houses of
this style tend to be rather narrow and tall and they can be terraced or
joined. In Houston, the remaining Victorian houses, which are concentrated in
the Heights area, are generally rather large and completely detached.
With this style of home you can really let your imagination
run wild in terms of exterior paint. The elaborate trim can be quite
contrasting to the rest of the house and the colors for both run the gamut. A
popular choice is anything on the pastel spectrum. Because of the many details,
nooks, and crannies, it is wise to choice a professional Houston painting company when repainting your Victorian home.
American Foursquare
Beginning as a reaction to the overly embellished and
mass-produced homes of the Victorian and Revival styles popular in the period
from the 1850s to the turn of the century, the American Foursquare style is decidedly
and purposely plain. These homes were originally built by hand, although as
they became more popular, people began to mail order them. They are characterized
by their square, boxy design, inclusion of two or two-and-one-half floors, and
large front porches. These houses are popular in older Houston neighborhoods,
including Montrose and Eastwood.
When it comes to painting your American Foursquare, try to
stick to soft colors, like ivory, for the trim and earth tones, such as brown,
yellow, or green, for the rest of the exterior. If you happen to have a brick
Foursquare, ALWAYS leave any exterior paintwork to a professional Houston painting contractor. Painting brick incorrectly can trap moisture and cause
serious damage to the home.
American Craftsman
American Craftsman architecture is just one part of the
larger Arts and Crafts movement, which was popular from the turn of the century
through the 1930s. Architects of this style, like those of the Foursquare
style, sought to move away from the over-decorated Victorian aesthetic to a
more simple style that incorporated local materials and original handicraft.
The Craftsman Bungalow was a favorite of the middle-class, as it was affordable
and a sign of improved station. These homes feature covered front porches, use
of mixed materials, tapered, square columns, and hand-crafted stone or
woodwork. A high concentration of these homes can still be found in the Heights
area of Houston.
Connected to the Craftsman philosophy of incorporating
local, natural materials, Craftsman homes should be painted in colors inspired
by the world around them. Muted greens, browns, and grays are popular choices,
as are similarly subdued sunrise and sunset colors. When painting the trim,
pick a color a shade or two lighter than the main exterior color and shutters
should be painted a third, coordinating color.
Mid-Century Modern
Pioneered by Frank Lloyd Wright in the United States, this
style of architecture stems from the idea that form and function should work
together seamlessly to create places and spaces. Mid-century modern homes,
built in the years following World War II, show the desire to work with
increasing updated and available technology to create living, functional art.
In America, architects began to open up floor plans, use innovative materials,
such as resin, fiberglass, and laminate, and integrate nature into their
designs. In Houston, many houses of this style are still standing, particularly
in the Memorial Bend area.
Mid-century modern homes are all about simple lines, so
choose colors with that aesthetic in mind. Clean colors with bright accents look
best on homes of this style. Consider white, ivory, or browns with pops of
bright red, green, or orange. Because it can be a difficult color combination
to pull off, it is always worth is to consider hiring a professional Houston painting company to get the exterior of your dreams.
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