How to Create a New England Style Home Complete with Louvered Window Shutters

Louvered Shutters

How to Create a New England Style Home Complete with Louvered Window Shutters

New England was one of the earliest places to be developed and boasts a history of over 400 years. It’s no wonder than you’ll find houses here that will astound and amaze even the most learned historian. Here in New England you’ll find a collection of architectural styles that are more varied than the rest of the country. Colonial, Georgian, Victorian, Federal and even Greek Revival are just a few of the styles you can explore. As varied as the styles are, you’ll find that each style was built to last and weather harsh elements and severe winters. Louvered shutters, symmetrical windows and doors, plain, stately façade are some of the common features.

Let’s take a look at some of the more popular New England styles.

Colonial – These houses were usually built facing south to receive more warmth in the winter months. The houses have steep slopes so that snow could easily shed and not collect on rooftops. Small windows and vertically-planked doors helped to keep the warmth in. Chimneys are usually found in the center of the roof. Colonial styles homes are simple with a very plain façade. The original structure was a one-room, two-storey box. Cape Cod houses are a variation of the Colonial style.

Georgian – These houses are much like the Colonial house in their simplicity. The roof however is only moderately pitched, the houses themselves are much bigger – often two-storeys and two rooms. Georgian houses have symmetry in the positioning of their doors and windows. Lower storey windows are positioned exactly below the upper storey window and the door is in the center. No doubt about it, these homes are solid, upright and have a stately form.

Federal – These houses have more detailing than Georgian houses. An elliptical or semicircular fanlight is typically seen below the crown of the entrance. Venetian or Palladian windows are seen above the doors. Windows are usually crowned with lintels or recessed in arches. Bays, bows and balconies appear on the façade. These design elements break away from the plain squareness of older Georgian houses.

Greek Revival – These buildings resemble the public buildings in Greece way back when democracy was first introduced. These were front-gabled houses and in this way the detailing of the cornice could be better observed.

Victorian – These houses don’t look anything like the previous styles. They are free in the sense that there are no pediments, porticos, pilasters, fan lights, and transom lights. These houses are not plain by any means and prefer to boast a more grandeur style, rather than the squarish boredom of previous styles we’ve seen. Victorian style borrows from other styles but common elements include steep, many-gabled roofs, and an assymetrical arrangement of windows and doors. Builders experimented with curves, arches and other complex shapes. Porches are a distinguishing mark with delightful detailing.

Marks of a New England Home

With such a variety of architectural styles what exactly defines a New England home? Here are 3 distinguishing marks:

1. Simplicity – While millwork is rich it is not overly ornate. Blue and white colors are the most prevalent possibly taking from the natural surroundings of the sea and coastlines.

2. Pride in traditionalism – Houses are sturdy, stately and built to last.

3. Indigenous elements – New England styles feature elements in interior décor that are locally available such as fresh local flowers, seashells, slate and granite.

Creating your own New England style home

You don’t have to be in New England to enjoy the style. Create your own New England look anywhere you are by paneling the walls and choosing a classic floorcovering such as floorboards in original wood. Dress the windows with white louvered shutters. Try pared-back, white painted furniture with less detailing. Combine that with checked or striped linen. Pretty florals in the bedroom blend well with the look you want to achieve. For accessories, look for folk art or anything wicker, galvanised steel, enamel, painted or natural wood. Use bird motifs on pillow covers and make sure there are plenty of pillar candles.

Looking for exterior shutters to match your New England look? Try your local store or search online for bargains on online stores like Decorative Shutters.

usually side-gabled (roof ends at the sides of the house), flat-faced, wooden structures, covered with narrow pine clapboards, although most of the earliest ones had shingles. With no eaves, shutters, stoops, porches, window trim, or door decoration, these houses present a very plain facade, relieved only in some examples by a jutting overhang of the second story – the “garrison” style. Old and heavy, they seem to grow straight out of the ground.

Source:https://decorativeshutters.wordpress.com/2017/08/23/how-to-create-a-new-england-style-home-complete-with-louvered-window-shutters/