250 Fort Hill Road, Scarsdale, NY
The Italianate style first cropped up in England in the early 1800s as a reaction to the Neoclassical style. It was romantic and informal and left behind cold, clean-lined classicism to draw inspiration from the medieval villas of Northern Italy. People were into it. It spread to the US in about 1830 (and continued to diverge from its Italian roots.) Pattern books were just cropping up at the time and made it easy for anyone interested to get in on the trend. By 1860, it was the most popular style in the US! So you’ll see a ton of them. There are countless variations, but overhanging, bracketed eaves and tall, narrow windows are usually there. Here’s a diverse selection of homes that all embody those lovely proportions, somehow!
1. 7 Jackson Rd, Monroe, ME – $375,000
8 beds/2 baths
5,600 sqft, 2 acres
This grand home is just 30 minutes from Bangor. Complete with quoin detailing and mansard roof.
2. 23200 State Highway 14, Marion, AL – $1,400,000
9 beds/3 baths
9,400 sqft, 19 acres
Kenworthy Carlisle Hall- a relic from a gilded age, when opulence prevailed! This villa is five stories of pure luxury and was designed by renowned architect Richard Upjohn of Trinity Church, NYC.
3. 148 Hawthorn St, New Bedford, MA – $395,000
10 beds/3.5 baths
5,130 sqft, 0.29 acres
The Leander Plummer Home is a refreshing mix of Italianate, Greek Revival and Gothic elements. Highlights include chestnut floors, fireplaces with Delft tile, a solarium and spectacular skylight. Wow!
4. 329 Bratton Street, Winnsboro, SC – $249,000
5 beds/2 baths
4,589 sqft, 1 acre
The James McDonald House has remained within the McDonald family for generations, and because of this, remains almost entirely original. Windows, original. Doors, original. Floors, fanciful trim, beautiful old cracked plaster, all original!
5. 35871 State Highway 10, Hamden, NY – $70,000
6 beds/2 baths
3,500 sqft, 0.25 acres
Wood siding, a beautiful staircase, detailed entryways, built-in cabinets and vintage wallpaper fill this house and it’s priced right for a project. Bring this one back to glory.
6. 250 Fort Hill Road, Scarsdale, NY – $1,295,000
9 beds/5 baths
5,576 sqft, 1.54 acres
Distinctive details include a rocking chair front porch, wide plank hardwood floors, 6 fireplaces, a secret staircase, a brick hearth with wood burning stove, original poured glass window panes, mansard roof, and hand laid stone walls. This one is the best of both with nearly 2 acres of gorgeous property and a short commute to NYC, as well.
7. 1526 College Ave, Racine, WI – $624,900
5 beds/4 baths
5,248 sqft, 0.22 acres
This remarkable Historic Racine High Italianate is on the National Register of Historic Places, and rightfully so. The Eastlake detailing on the facade is stunning. I love the arched entryways and wallpaper inside, too.
8. 37 S Main St, Wallingford, VT – $599,000
5 beds/7 baths
4,800 sqft, 1 acre
This one is currently a Bed & Breakfast with 5 guest rooms and 7 fireplaces! I like that math.
9. 801 E Spring St, Boonville, MO – $110,000
5 beds/2 baths
3,561 sqft, 0.15 acres
This home is in Boonville, an artsy town between St. Louis and Kansas City. There are original wood doors, floors, woodwork, transom windows, stained glass and soaring ceilings in every room.
Shop
The Perfect Gifts for the Old House Lover in Your Life.
“I Love Old Houses”
Book Tote
$23.00
“Preservation”
Wool Felt Pennant
$28.00
Mini Brownstone
Enamel Pin
$14.00
There’s More!
AUTHOR ALIX ADAMS
Alix is CIRCA’s Properties Manager. She relishes working directly with homeowners and real estate agents to track down new stewards for homes with secrets to keep and stories to tell! On a lifetime mission to visit every great flea market in the world, she’s probably going to need a bigger old house soon.
