What style home is this anyway?

[Blackbird]

Looking for a little expert opinion here...

I fell in love with this place years ago. This spring, it came on the market, but sadly, I wasn't quick enough to make an offer. The good news is that someone else is making a few improvements with plans to rent it for a year and then sell. I'm hoping that renter/buyer will be me!

Anyway, I was hoping someone might be able to tell me what style home this is. (It was listed as a "Swiss Dutch-style." Huh?) If I am able to nab this one, I'd like to restore it appropriately.

The house was built in 1917. It's a 1-1/2 story with a brick and shake exterior. Obviously, it needs a fair amount of work, but the woodwork and stained glass windows are gorgeous. They just don't build them like this anymore!!!

Thank you!

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa168/prairiefire_gsp/Exterior2.png

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa168/prairiefire_gsp/Exterior.png

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa168/prairiefire_gsp/Interior2.png

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa168/prairiefire_gsp/Interior1.png

[Carrie]

German gothic? I live near near a city thats founding fathers were German. The style is really familiar. Beautiful.

[Blackbird]

Thank you, Carrie.

I'll have to do some research and study up.

[Breezy]

Hi Blackbird - I don't know the style of the house but you were so right about the woodwork and stained glass being gorgeous - wow! :)

[RoseMary]

Hi Blackbird~welcome to the forum! I don't know what style it is either, but it's a great house! Love those windows.

[Blackbird]

I called the guy that bought the house a few weeks ago and gave him my name and number. He said he'd be ready to show it to me in mid/late July, but the wait is killing me...

I hope I'm able to convince him to rent to me right away. I don't want to have to fight the competition if he chooses to market the house, because it will break my heart if I "lose" it a second time.

Bringing that house back to life would be a labor of love.

[memmey]

That house is solid you can just tell from the pictures. Is the guy going to do any renovations? I hope if he does he has an eye for it being authenic. So he just wants to flip the house???

[Blackbird]

That's one of the things I loved about this house...it's "solidness." I have never been a fan of brick, but this thing looks like it could withstand a hurricane. Nearly 100 years old and not a hair out of line.

From what I understand, he's not going to do anything that will detract from the home's architectural integrity. Right now, he's replacing the roof (nearly done and it looks great) and repairing some water damage.

Yes, he's flipping the house. He wanted to rent for a year to avoid the short term capital gains tax.

[Bungalove]

I think it's a variation of a Craftsman Bungalow. LOVE it!!

[Gigi]

Such a charming home!

[Blackbird]

Thank you!

I hope I'm able to snap this one up. I've pictured myself living there for several years now. And now that I know it's going to soon be available, I'm already arranging furniture.

Crossing my fingers and toes...

[nanaluluslinens]

Looks like a Craftsman to me. I live in Syracuse, home of the Stickleys and we have craftsman style houses here. The year sounds right for craftsman too. Good Luck!

[Queenofthecastle]

What year was it built? It's darling.

[jabbrley]

I believe it's a craftsman bungalow too...and probably looked somewhat different on the exterior when it was built. I hope you end up with the house!
It would be wonderful if it could be brought back to it's former glory!

[Dan the Architect]

Most homes were not designed and built by trained architects. Because of this most homes don't fall exactly into a single style (even architects muddy the waters). Home design is greatly influenced by the past (what the designer is familiar with) and current trends (what the advertisers want you to believe or what the realtor believes is true).
In the case of this house I believe you have at least 2 styles at work here. The overall massing and details are consistent with a Shingle Style home which is a part of the Victorian style. However that style pretty much ended by 1900 (yours is 1917?) additionally the extensive use of brick and the arched windows is inconsistent with the style - possibly a fascination with Richardson Romanesqe or a mission influence? You would also want to look at the the area around it to see what influence there are locally and regionally. The porch - at least the enclosure - appears to be a later addition.
Enjoy your beautiful find!

[jabbrley]

WOW...that was interesting, Dan the Architect. Thanks for shedding some light on it for us all. And...welcome aboard.

[koolmimi]

What a fabulous house. It is a great find. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you too.

[MsCarissa]

Looks something like "Dutch Colonial Revival" to me:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_colonial

[Rory Bremner]

I think there is a lot of different influences in this place. It's hard to accurately categorise, apart from the "great looking" place category.:)

[SamanthaM]

I love the wood stairs. The one thing I can't figure out is what are the things to the sides of the top window? They look like long awnings at first but I don't think there are windows under there. What was the purpose of the sloped sides on the top? I don't think I've seen that before.