This handsome home in Minneapolis is the kind of house that a lot of people might call “Victorian” because of the multi-color paint scheme and steep center gable. But it’s not – it’s another example of the wide variety of Colonial Revival style, America’s most popular house style.
There are a number of clues that suggest this is an updated Colonial Revival home – the first is the construction year of 1902. That was smack in the middle of the Colonial Revival Period, and at the very, very end of the Victorian Period. And the big half-round gable window is a Colonial Revival signature piece.
Another important clue is the simple square form of the house; Victorian homes almost always have far more complex footprints, and strongly asymmetrical massing (it’s asymmetry that makes a Victorian a Victorian).
Victorian homes typically show much more detail and ornamentation on their porches – rarely simple round columns like these.
So let’s take a look around the inside of this well-kept home, starting with the living room – it’s been opened up a lot, but the original woodwork and character are still there.
The kitchen is totally updated, but the old-house feel isn’t lost at all. The kitchen table in that great big bay window, with the half-octagon banquette…
How spectacular is this stained-glass arched window? What a great way to lighten up the stairwell!
It looks like the master bedroom of this updated Colonial Revival home is tucked up under the roof in this finished attic space! The floor plan is huge, and the sloped ceilings really give it a “tree house” feel.
The master bath is amazing! The skylight over the huge shower is wonderful, and we’ve decided the coffee bar is our new “must-have” feature.
There’s also a nice big bluestone patio outside with a fireplace and plenty of seating for friends.
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