Annual Homes & Design Issue
You chose your home because you were drawn to it, and its particular style of architecture is a big part of its appeal. But what exactly classifies a house as arts and crafts, farmhouse, mid-century modern, or French provincial? And as you renovate, how can you be sure that the remodeled interior and exterior design elements of your home still match its overall style? Here’s what you need to know, straight from local experts.
Jeff Leatherwood, Southern Traditions Builders, LLCA lot of what makes a certain style work well is using its hallmark elements in the right capacity. We do a lot of modern farmhouses in this area, and shiplap is a perfect example. For a home to feel like a true modern farmhouse, it needs shiplap somewhere – but you shouldn’t go overboard. Use it in a few key areas in the home, and steer clear of trying to incorporate it into every room. Other interior elements that lend themselves to the modern farmhouse aesthetic include black windows and, in the kitchen, simple shaker-style cabinet doors and farmhouse sinks. On the outside of the home, a big wooden porch – not concrete – is a must, and a traditional blue ceiling is a nice touch. Incorporating the right elements and utilizing them in moderation will ensure that your home remains timeless and isn’t just a trend 10 years from now.
Eddie Lawson, Interior Trim & Supply, Inc.The farmhouse and arts and crafts
styles are very similar when it comes to exterior and interior doors, linear trim, and stair parts. The doors typically have flat panels, and if glass is used in the door design, it will usually have four to six panes. In some cases, the exterior and interior door glass has no grids.
The linear molding used during the trimming phase often has basic straight lines. The crown molding used is frequently a specific mid-range size with a simple smooth cove crown, but this varies slightly depending on ceiling height. The staircase design also has straight lines in its metal or wooden balusters, and the larger staircase posts (newel posts) have several variances in square-edged design. Square-edged craftsman stair treads are now being used in place of the radius-nosed edge that has typically been used for years.
Mallory Harrison, East Chattanooga Lumber & Supply Co.For modern or mid-century modern homes, Andersen’s 100 Series windows – designed for both new construction and replacement window projects – are an excellent choice. The durable window frame is made of a sustainable Fibrex® composite material, and its clean corners and sleek profiles provide a contemporary style. The 100 Series has a variety of color options, including dark bronze and black, which can be mirrored on the interior of the window. The understated element of a dark window line can create a delicate yet striking impact that will continue to be modern and timeless for years to come. With Andersen’s patented Easy-Connect Joining System, you can combine picture, casement, and awning windows to create that popular floor-to-ceiling window wall. Making a comeback from the mid-century modern era, the side-to-side gliding window offers maximum visibility and clean lines. And because the sashes do not open outward, gliding windows are the perfect solution in a room where a projecting window (open or closed) may interfere with walkways, patios, or landscaping.
Joey Tubbs, HomeChoice Windows and DoorsIf you love having a house at peace with nature and one that incorporates simple, clean lines, then a mid-century modern home may be the design of your dreams. Less is definitely more where the grace that is mid-century modern design is concerned – except when you’re considering windows and doors. Integrating impressively sized picture and horizontal sliding windows into your architectural look is the best and easiest way to incorporate nature into your home retreat. Another way to bring the outdoors in
– while also becoming the envy of the neighborhood – is by adding a multi-slide door that stacks away, dramatically opening up an entire wall of your home to your beautiful outdoor living space. Your home becomes art when you add pops of color to exterior window and door finishes, iconic in these mid-century modern showstoppers, so go bold here! Finish by selecting the highest-efficiency glass for years of best-energy performance.
Jeff Fava, Associated BuildersFarmhouse-style houses can lean toward rustic or modern. Rustic farmhouses – aka American farmhouses – boast simple floor plans with a plethora of rough-hewn wood and a smattering of wrought-iron accents in a plain white or off-white color palette. The modern-leaning version, while still simple in nature, includes much cleaner lines, smoother textures, and broader use of steel and galvanized accents. Its color palette has its foundation in the gray family, but can be highlighted with blue, black, and even green for those desiring a bolder statement.
Trey Moon, Window Works & Exteriors of ChattanoogaThe Tudor house has always been a unique look to me. Our Starmark windows and Starmark custom special-shape windows are a perfect look, keeping the traditional style of this type of home, along with the Victorian SDL grids attached to the outside of the windows. These grids truly highlight the attention to detail in this architectural design, giving an accent to unique craftsmanship. I always like to see the exterior of the windows and Victorian SDL grids in a cocoa or black color, in contrast with the brick and other earth tones usually found in these homes. It instantly sets off the presentation of a Tudor-style home, truly establishing a stunning and authentic overall style that captures the eye when passing by.
