What STYLE is Our New House?

That is a very good question. You can find a different house style for each letter of the alphabet- everything from Art Deco, to Mediterranean, to Victorian, and everything in between. You can find endless lists of house styles, the top 24 house styles, and the top 10 house styles. Even each main house style has subcategories of that style. For instance "Traditional" can be- New Traditional, Classic Traditional, Minimal Traditional, Texas Traditional, etc. "Country" can be- English Country, French Country, Sophisticated Country, Eclectic Country, Modern Country, Classic Country, and Rustic Country. ha "Contemporary" can be- Modern Contemporary, 20th Century Contemporary, Traditional Contemporary, Art Deco Contemporary. haha  Traditional... is well...let's see...how to describe it... TOO Traditional- too ornate...for me. Too old fashioned. hehe Country has certain aspects, that I love, many of my "cute decorative items" are country. My kitchen is all decorated with chickens. But generally, Country is way to cluttered...for me. And some times way too patterned, plaid, and ruffled for me. Contemporary is sometimes...too modern, for me. Too many bright colors, too many weird furniture styles, too many smooth surfaces. So where does our house fit? I recently saw an article describing "Minimalist Traditional", and that came close. I definitely fit the minimalist idea- the look of "less is more", clearing away all clutter, neutral colors with touches of black and brown, "a place for everything and everything in it's place", no fussy, flouncy draperies, texture rather than pattern. Here is a brief explanation of how this style originated-

Minimalist traditional style began in the 1930s as an affordable response to the depression. It took form, massing and details from earlier styles such as Tudor and colonial revival and simplified them. The concept translated well in the following decades. The demand for housing grew rapidly after World War II, and getting homes built quickly became an economic necessity. Building a house with just enough detail to give it identity satisfied many buyers and reflected their need for a practical and affordable solution.

Another important consideration in the success of the style is its proportions. While classical styles are dictated strictly by precedent, minimalist traditional is by nature a more relaxed form. Window sizing and door placement are established according to the layout of rooms and the necessity of ventilation and entry and egress. These houses are often called cottages, bungalows, farmhouses and other regional terms, but at heart they have a simplified traditional root loosely based in classic architecture.

I especially like the idea of being called a "farmhouse", with some Texas Hill Country influence, like the wrap around porch and metal roof. The most common Hill Country houses are ranch style with the big porch, metal roof, and limestone walls. We didn't opt for the stone walls, but stucco instead. When my Dad was originally drawing up our house plans, he was thinking of stucco, but more of a Santa Fe style with arched entryways  and hallways. We kept the stucco, but not the arches. 

So...I guess our house  is a "minimalist, somewhat traditional, Santa Fe stucco, hill country influence, with a dash of cowboy country and Martha Stewart... style". It's not as "rustic" as Ron would like- although, I am ordering a wide plank, dark brown wood floor, for him. And some of my tile turned out to be more rustic-stone-looking than I originally planned. The colors are definitely neutral, with a touch of black and brown. Although, I might manage a few bold colors in accessories. No frilly curtains. No modern bold colors or art deco- except- one "artsy fartsy" aspect of our bunk room, will be a ceiling that looks like a starry night sky. My cabinets are "canvas" color (somewhere in between white and ivory)- single panel, with Martha Stewart knobs. hehe All appliances and sinks/tubs/toilets are white. All faucets and light fixtures are brushed nickel.

Tile is shades of cream, gray, beige, and terra cotta. Carpet is either cream or gray.

So there you have it- a strange concoction of styles- but that is why it is considered a "custom built" home...right?!
(More pics coming this week. We will be going there on Monday, August 5, to see how things are progressing.)