Italian Villa, 1845—1880

121 N. Huron

The Italian Villa was inspired by provincial farmhouses of Italy and became as popular as Greek and Gothic Revival designs. Its tower was its most distinguishing feature. Because of its informal, symmetrical plan, interior spaces could be arranged for function at the owner’s discretion, resulting in a great diversity of irregularly shaped houses of the style.

distinguished by a tall tower; two story “L’ or “T” shaped floor plan; bay windows and balconies; all in asymmetric balance.

low or medium pitched gable facing the street; broad overhangs with large eave brackets, frequently paired; red tile shingles were common on the more elaborate villas.

tall and narrow, with round and/or square heads; often with ornamental hoods; tall, narrow clusters of arch—shaped windows in tower.

often paired, with round-topped glass.

with ornamental posts, sometimes with Greek columns; balustrade at eaves, or arched bracing.

similar to Italianate, inclusive of occasional corner pilasters or quoins.

stucco, or brick (commonly painted, but not locally), or board and batten siding, as in the Carpenter Gothic.