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Keller Williams Realty Swm
Ryan Arnt, Keller Williams Realty SwmPhone: (269) 470-6666
Email: [email protected]

Recognizing Italianate architecture

by Ryan Arnt 11/27/2022

A fanciful and ornate category of Victorian design, Italianate architecture has made its inspirational mark on buildings of all kinds. Italianate style employs picturesque elements inspired by the architecture of the Italian Renaissance, featuring heavy emphasis on decorative accents and sky-high facades.

What other style elements make Italianate architecture captivating and unique? Here is a guide to style’s key characteristics:

Tall buildings

One of the most immediately recognizable elements of Italianate architecture is the prevalence of tall, narrow designs. Italianate buildings are typically between two and four stories tall, featuring narrow windows to enhance the vertically oriented facade.

Italianate buildings typically have a symmetrical, rectangular shape, but feature exciting architectural accents like cupolas and towers to add interest to the design.

Dramatic entryways

Another recognizable feature of Italianate architecture is the use of columns and decorative brackets in building entryways. Classical round or square columns often flank single or double door entrances situated on raised porches with decorative woodwork. The tall, narrow windows dressing the building’s facade further emphasize the entryway by framing the door.

Overhanging eaves

Deep cornices and overhanging eaves are another dramatic and striking feature found in Italianate style buildings. The wide eaves bring contrast to the tall, narrow building designs by adding extra dimension and calling back to the decorative elements of picturesque Renaissance-era Italian villas.

Fanciful landscaping

While much of Italianate architecture is found in cities, landscaping is an important part of the design style when space permits. Even in homes without yard space, you’ll often find hedges trimmed into a variety of geometric shapes to add more character to the home’s facade.

In country houses and properties with ample outdoor space, Italianate landscaping takes the picturesque to a new level by including purely decorative accents like grottoes, follies and reflecting pools. Pathways made of gravel direct visitors to the dramatic entrance, while the other fanciful features add aesthetic interest and wonder.

Italianate style can be difficult to separate from other Victorian-era architectural movements. However, like Gothic revival or Greek revival architecture, certain major elements are key to recognizing this prominent style across multiple continents.

About the Author
Author

Ryan Arnt

I have provided award-winning service to many clients over the past 25 years. Few other REALTORS are as trusted as I am. My clients trust my advice, and they know that I always look out for their best long-term interests. You can expect, and you will receive personal service that is second to none. When you hire me as your Agent you work with me and only me. I will answer your calls and respond to your text messages. I promise not to hand you off to another member of "My team" like others do. When you hire Ryan, you get Ryan.

I have called Southwest Michigan home for 40 years. My mother's family ran a local locksmith service, and my father served as the Chief Investigator for the County's Prosecutor's office for many years. I love all that this area offers, and I enjoy serving the buyers and sellers who are moving in or out of Southwest Michigan.

My wife and I have two children, and we would not want to raise them anywhere else. Between the award-winning schools and the plethora of youth activities offered in Southwest Michigan, it's a great place to call home. We enjoy spending time with friends at the beach, boating, golfing, hunting, skiing "Up North," and fishing.

We give back generously to the community that has been so good to us. Currently, I serve on the Lakeshore Public Schools Foundation Board (LEF), as Past President of the St. Joe Kickers Sports Club, and as a Rotarian in the Stevensville-Lakeshore Rotary Club. We donate throughout the year to various local organizations, schools, and youth sports groups.

I want to put my experience and knowledge to work for you. Having sold more than 500 properties while earning the trust and respect of my fellow REALTORS, who voted me the "REALTOR of the Year," I am confident I can earn your trust as well.

Looking to buy, sell, or invest in real estate? Please allow me the opportunity to serve you. I promise you will not be disappointed.

Ryan Arnt

Real Estate Broker/Company Owner

Keller Williams of Southwest Michigan

You can reach me anytime, call or text 269.470.6666, or email me at [email protected].

When you need a REALTOR, Rely on Ryan!