At Bainbridge Design Group we believe a fundamental key to the custom home design process is identifying what style, or styles, our clients are drawn to. Focusing on an architectural style sets the tone for the overall home design from the outset and continues to influence our creative process from the conceptual stage all the way through to finished plans. To better assist our clients in identifying the architectural style, or styles, they are interested in, we've compiled this list of common styles, including descriptions and examples, for reference.

At Bainbridge Design Group we believe a fundamental key to the custom home design process is identifying what style, or styles, our clients are drawn to. Focusing on an architectural style sets the tone for the overall home design from the outset and continues to influence our creative process from the conceptual stage all the way through to finished plans. To better assist our clients in identifying the architectural style, or styles, they are interested in, we've compiled this list of common styles, including descriptions and examples, for reference.

Mediterranean Style Homes


Mediterranean home designs encompass Spanish and Italian influences. They often have an open and airy feel where roomy interiors easily transition into outdoor gathering spaces. This style category is easy to identify with its low pitched roofs and large overhanging eaves, typically supported by exposed brackets around the perimeter of the roof to wall junction. Exteriors are most often stucco or plaster and truly authentic examples of this style will include a tile roof. These homes invoke feelings of enjoying a picturesque coastal location.

Italian Transitional

Italian transitional homes feature the same low pitched roofs and overhanging eaves of their Mediterranean origin. They may also include subtle detailing in the form of brackets around the eaves, but ornamental extravagance is eschewed in favor of minimalism that marks a more modern design.

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Italian Villa

Italian Villas have the same low pitched roofs and large overhanging eaves that mark other Mediterranean styles. In this genre, they are most often comprised of simple hip roofs and subtle detailing. Natural light enters the home through pairs of tall, often arched windows.

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Spanish Colonial

Spanish Colonial homes are characterized by their light stucco exterior and terracotta roof tiles. The roof system for this style is typically made up of a series of gabled roofs with little or no eave overhang.

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Italian Transitional

Italian transitional homes feature the same low pitched roofs and overhanging eaves of their Mediterranean origin. They may also include subtle detailing in the form of brackets around the eaves, but ornamental extravagance is eschewed in favor of minimalism that marks a more modern design.

Learn More

Italian Villa

Italian Villas have the same low pitched roofs and large overhanging eaves that mark other Mediterranean styles. In this genre, they are most often comprised of simple hip roofs and subtle detailing. Natural light enters the home through pairs of tall, often arched windows.

Learn More

Spanish Colonial

Spanish Colonial homes are characterized by their light stucco exterior and terracotta roof tiles. The roof system for this style is typically made up of a series of gabled roofs with little or no eave overhang.

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Modern Style Homes


Although often confused with Contemporary, which is architecture that is unique and progressive to the current time, Modern architecture is linked to the Machine Age and was the result of a break from the previously established design standards and construction techniques. Homes in this style were mainly constructed during the 1920s to 1950s and feature low slung roofs and lots of glass, metal, and concrete. These homes with minimalistic design are a prime example of function over form and are in stark contrast to many of the highly ornamented architectural forms of previous times. Uncluttered open living spaces and clean geometric lines are the order of the day for this distinctive style.

Mid-Century Modern

Mid-century modern is a term for architecture that was designed and built from the late 1940s through the 1970s. These homes were very much about a state of mind and a lifestyle. They often included sliding glass doors and floor to ceiling windows that helped the home feel part of the surrounding nature and encouraged the transition from indoors to out.

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Modern

Modern style homes constructed today follow the same design tenets as their predecessors. The focus is on minimalistic design without superfluous detailing. Flat or low slung roofs are standard and, if pitched, can be metal or composition shingle.

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Modern Farmhouse

Modern Farmhouse is a style that has quickly become a favorite for many, and it’s easy to see why! It takes the straightforward, functional design of the traditional American Farmhouse and incorporates large, open spaces that lend themselves to the lifestyle of today.

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Modern Prairie

Modern Prairie homes are often carefully designed to blend in with their surroundings, creating a natural, organic feel. Roofs are generally flat or hipped, with a nod to mid-century modern aesthetics, also influenced by Wright. Modern Prairie homes often feature an elevated entrance which leads into a central great room.

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Mid-Century Modern

Mid-century modern is a term for architecture that was designed and built from the late 1940s through the 1970s. These homes were very much about a state of mind and a lifestyle. They often included sliding glass doors and floor to ceiling windows that helped the home feel part of the surrounding nature and encouraged the transition from indoors to out.

Learn More

Modern

Modern style homes constructed today follow the same design tenets as their predecessors. The focus is on minimalistic design without superfluous detailing. Flat or low slung roofs are standard and, if pitched, can be metal or composition shingle.

Learn More

Modern Farmhouse

Modern Farmhouse is a style that has quickly become a favorite for many, and it’s easy to see why! It takes the straightforward, functional design of the traditional American Farmhouse and incorporates large, open spaces that lend themselves to the lifestyle of today.

Learn More

Modern Prairie

Modern Prairie homes are often carefully designed to blend in with their surroundings, creating a natural, organic feel. Roofs are generally flat or hipped, with a nod to mid-century modern aesthetics, also influenced by Wright. Modern Prairie homes often feature an elevated entrance which leads into a central great room.

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Northern European Style Homes


Northern European style can be derived from a variety of different influences but one theme stays consistent no matter the origin – Old World charm! These homes evoke a romanticism that stems from their birth in the Renaissance period. They feature steeply pitched roofs and range in size from quaint, rustic cottages to large manors with complex roof systems that exude grandeur at first sight. Wall composition is made up of brick, stone, stucco, or wood siding of some sort, and often a mixture of one or more of these materials. The variety of Northern European homes are also identified by ornamental detailing that may include: shutters, stone or brick accents and corbeling, and copper roof embellishments such as finials and cupolas.

English Tudor

The Tudor home style originates from English construction during the late medieval era. One key element of this style is decorative half timbering that is intended to mimic construction methods of that time period, when large exposed timbers were used to support the weight of the structure.

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French Country

This popular home style has its roots in the rustic manors that populate the rural French countryside. One of the most notable features of this style are the tall, steeply pitched roofs that flare upwards at the eaves. These homes will often include a variety of roof elements that provide numerous focal points and contribute to a stately appearance.

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French Country Transitional

French Country Transitional is where Old World charm meets clean, modern design. These homes will have steeply pitched, and many times complex, roofs that mark Northern European homes but will often eliminate the upward flare at the eaves for a simple, linear appearance.

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French Creole

French Creole, sometimes referred to as Louisiana Creole, is a style that was born in the Mississippi delta during French colonization and includes influences from the many cultures that were converging in America at that time.

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English Tudor

The Tudor home style originates from English construction during the late medieval era. One key element of this style is decorative half timbering that is intended to mimic construction methods of that time period, when large exposed timbers were used to support the weight of the structure.

Learn More

French Country

This popular home style has its roots in the rustic manors that populate the rural French countryside. One of the most notable features of this style are the tall, steeply pitched roofs that flare upwards at the eaves. These homes will often include a variety of roof elements that provide numerous focal points and contribute to a stately appearance.

Learn More

French Country Transitional

French Country Transitional is where Old World charm meets clean, modern design. These homes will have steeply pitched, and many times complex, roofs that mark Northern European homes but will often eliminate the upward flare at the eaves for a simple, linear appearance.

Learn More

French Creole

French Creole, sometimes referred to as Louisiana Creole, is a style that was born in the Mississippi delta during French colonization and includes influences from the many cultures that were converging in America at that time.

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Traditional Style Homes


In our classification, Traditional architecture is made up of styles that originated in the American culture and have become staples of many communities throughout the nation. These styles have been around for a century, more or less, and have great historical value for the communities they are found in. New construction projects that seek to maintain the standards of composition and techniques of construction exhibited in these home styles serve a great purpose in connecting with and continuing our architectural heritage. Examples of these styles include Cape Cod, Craftsman, Colonial, Farmhouse, Prairie, Ranch, and more.

Craftsman

The Craftsman style is a byproduct of the American Arts and Crafts movement, which began in the late 19th century and emphasized the value of the individual tradesman as opposed to the industrial machine. At the outset, the Craftsman home utilized locally sourced materials and the talents of artisan laborers to create functional living spaces with an understated attention to detail.

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Northwest Craftsman

The Northwest Craftsman (also known as Lodge or Pacific Northwest) style reflects the hardy spirit of the Old West. These homes are constructed with natural materials such as wood siding, cedar shake, heavy timbers, and stone that convey a rustic charm that leans heavily towards substance over flash.

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Craftsman

The Craftsman style is a byproduct of the American Arts and Crafts movement, which began in the late 19th century and emphasized the value of the individual tradesman as opposed to the industrial machine. At the outset, the Craftsman home utilized locally sourced materials and the talents of artisan laborers to create functional living spaces with an understated attention to detail.

Learn More

Northwest Craftsman

The Northwest Craftsman (also known as Lodge or Pacific Northwest) style reflects the hardy spirit of the Old West. These homes are constructed with natural materials such as wood siding, cedar shake, heavy timbers, and stone that convey a rustic charm that leans heavily towards substance over flash.

Learn More

Transitional Style Homes


Transitional architecture is an amalgam of a traditional architectural style with modern components.  As such, this style encompasses a large variety of homes, including French Country Transitional, Italian Transitional, Modern Farmhouse, and so on.  The beauty of these designs results when two distinct influences are combined to strike a meaningful balance.  These styles are a great option for individuals who appreciate established architectural heritage but enjoy the clean, unencumbered styling of modern design.

Modern Farmhouse

Modern Farmhouse is a style that has quickly become a favorite for many, and it’s easy to see why! It takes the straightforward, functional design of the traditional American Farmhouse and incorporates large, open spaces that lend themselves to the lifestyle of today.

Learn More

French Country Transitional

French Country Transitional is where Old World charm meets clean, modern design. These homes will have steeply pitched, and many times complex, roofs that mark Northern European homes but will often eliminate the upward flare at the eaves for a simple, linear appearance.

Learn More

Italian Transitional

Italian Transitional homes feature the same low pitched roofs and overhanging eaves of their Mediterranean origin. They may also include subtle detailing in the form of brackets around the eaves, but ornamental extravagance is eschewed in favor of minimalism that marks a more modern design.

Learn More

Modern Farmhouse

Modern Farmhouse is a style that has quickly become a favorite for many, and it’s easy to see why! It takes the straightforward, functional design of the traditional American Farmhouse and incorporates large, open spaces that lend themselves to the lifestyle of today.

Learn More

French Country Transitional

French Country Transitional is where Old World charm meets clean, modern design. These homes will have steeply pitched, and many times complex, roofs that mark Northern European homes but will often eliminate the upward flare at the eaves for a simple, linear appearance.

Learn More

Italian Transitional

Italian Transitional homes feature the same low pitched roofs and overhanging eaves of their Mediterranean origin. They may also include subtle detailing in the form of brackets around the eaves, but ornamental extravagance is eschewed in favor of minimalism that marks a more modern design.

Learn More