Earmarked by the Tudor era that framed years 1485 until 1603, the Tudor/Renaissance style has long since been a favorite of Europe (in particular England) and Europeans alike. However, during the 20thcentury, a Tudor architectural revival emerged paving the way to a style of architecture that boasts elaborate homes known most for their half-timbered wooden fame, tall doors, Renaissance architectural detailing, pointed arches and immaculate arbor gardens.
If you’re in the mood for a complete home renovation or you’re looking to pick up a few Tudor design ideas, the following is a brief overview of what the Tudor-style entails and how you can begin to incorporate some of these aspects into your next home improvement project.
A Guide to Tudor Homes 101
Tudor homes are often characterized by their extensive use of diamond patterns throughout the exterior of the home, steep pitched roofs, high arched entrance walkways and plethora of large paned windows. The first use of Tudor homes dates back to the days of Elizabeth the First and Henry the Eight. While the Tudor style is more widely used in European countries, during the 20thcentury Tudor revival period, the Tudor-style also made it way to America and is commonly found in real estate located along the East Coast such as the infamous Forest Hills area located in New York City.
In short, Tudor architecture was a way to showcase the home owner’s affluence and wealth – the same ideas which hold true today as many Tudor-style homes sell in the low $500k and upwards for true Tudor home enthusiasts.
If you’re in the market for a Tudor-style home, but can’t afford the price tag to match, there are simple steps you can undertake in order to replicate this architectural design for your home:
Invest in ornate furniture. Many Tudor homes boast furniture that consists of the following pieces: tall wooden canopies, draw-top tables, refectory tables, massive paneled chairs, court cupboards and settees. Typically this furniture was made of decorative carved wood or walnut and contained many Italian and Oriental exuberance.
Pay attention to detail. The Tudor-style leaves no stone unturned when it comes to the “little things.” The furniture found in Tudor homes was not limited to designs found on bedroom or dining room furniture, but in addition the Tudor-style pays close attention to other accent pieces such as furniture knobs or decorative beams and posts within the home.
When trying to replicate the Tudor design, a great deal of attention towards craftsmanship on the interior as well as exterior of your home will go a long way.