If you want to have a home that stops each passerby in their tracks, you are in the right place. Your home exterior is just as important, if not more important, as the interior. 

The best interior designers also design the materials, patterns, and colors of the exterior elevations to provide a curbside pop that continues as you walk into the home. 

There are many things to consider when designing the exterior because so many elements need to work together, such as stone, roof, colors, landscaping, gutters, trim, windows, paving, siding, textures, and more!  

The first step to designing a gorgeous home exterior is to find a source of inspiration that can drive your journey to your dream home.  

In this article, Alair South Tampa covers five of our client’s favorite home styles to inspire you.  

 

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French Country 

Visualize coming home after a long day of work to be whisked away into the romantic elegance of the French countryside. 

Country French-style homes first appeared in the United States in the 18th century, when France still occupied parts of North America across waterways like the St. Lawrence, the Great Lakes, and the Mississippi valleys. After President Thomas Jefferson purchased Louisiana in 1803, this style began to fade. However, this style of home remained popular in New Orleans.  

French Country houses typically are one story with a steeply pitched roof. The walls are frequently made of stucco and the frame is half-timbered. These homes frequently incorporate stunning driveways and landscapes.  

 

Colors & Textures 

 

Colors and texture play an important role in creating the perfect French Country exterior. Select earthy and neutral tones such as stone gray, creamy caramel, dusty beige, creams, and soft gold accents. Mismatched woods and natural stones of varying textures can create an aura of authenticity, imitating repairs that would’ve been made with readily available materials over generations. 

 

It Is All in the Details 

 

Warm and rustic board-and-batten wood shutters on the front-facing windows will create an inviting French welcome. A dark stain against cloudy white siding can create a magnificent contrast. Beneath the windows, install window boxes full of greenery and undulating vines.  

 

Keep in mind that French Country style is all about  

achieving a ‘lived-in’ effect instead of appearing  

untouched and perfect.  

 

If you love a natural and distressed feel, a French Country home might be perfect for you. 

Mediterranean  

 

In the early 1900s, Mediterranean architecture flourished in Southern California after the presentation of the Spanish Colonial Revival at the Panama-California Exposition of 1915 in San Diego.  

 

Mediterranean-style homes feature influences from Spanish, Italian, and Greek architecture. Frequently incorporating low-pitched red tile roofs, arches, and stucco or adobe exterior, these homes take pride in unifying the outdoors and indoors. 

 

Building a custom Mediterranean-style house  

presents a great opportunity to fuse antiquity  

with modern living. 

 

This style is particularly popular in warmer coastal regions, such as our sunny hometown of Tampa, Florida.  

Key features of this style include: 

 

 

To create a luxurious Mediterranean home exterior, consider building a long stone driveway that leads to a stunning fountain strategically placed in line with a wide front door framed with a stone archway.   

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Modern Farmhouse  

The modern farmhouse style takes the relaxed farmhouse style and adds modern touches like glossy accents, neutral color schemes, and contemporary design elements like stainless steel, sleek lighting, and granite countertops. It is also characterized by the use of reclaimed wood, pottery, and metals in the interior design.  

Common architectural features of the modern farmhouse style include: 

 

 

The modern farmhouse aesthetic emphasizes comfort  

and casual living with contemporary touches  

that are reflective of modern times.  

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Craftsman 

 

The rich history and character of a Craftsman style bungalow, additionally known as ‘Arts and Crafts’ style, began in the early 20th century. The Gamble brothers, known for building the iconic Gamble House, garnered attention from people who were losing interest in the eclectic and over-the-top nature of Victorian homes, instead craving simplicity and coziness. 

 

The intricate woodwork, such as decorative beams or porches framed by tapered square columns, is a distinguishing feature of the style. Exposed roof rafters and wide overhanging eaves are commonly seen in this style. Color palettes of this style tend to reflect nature, such as greens, browns, and taupe.  

 

Contemporary  

 

When defining style, “contemporary” acts as an umbrella term for the range of architectural choices in the mid to late 1900s that highlight simple forms and geometric lines. These homes illustrate experimentation throughout all kinds of art and design that followed the world wars.  

 

Contemporary homes often feature large floor-to-ceiling windows without any elaborate ornamentation. Instead, these homes incorporate an exciting mix of materials and textures to add dimension. Their roofs are normally flat or low-pitched.  

 

 

Stand Out with a Stately Home  

 

There are many decisions to make when it comes to designing a home exterior, which is why we recommend narrowing it down to a couple of design styles that you have fallen in love with. While there are no real rules to designing a home, there are certainly ways to make your home look like a collage of random and thoughtless style choices. That is not our goal at Alair South Tampa! 

 

Our Project Managers take painstaking measures to re-create the character and charm of any historic style home. Whether you crave rustic charm or contemporary sophistication, we will help you achieve the desired impact. As the most trusted South Tampa custom homes and remodeling partner of leading designers and architects, you can rest assured that Living Better Starts Here®. 

 

 

Featured Image Credit: Alair Homes Edmonton