The Best Shingle Style Homes in Connecticut

21 Feb The Best Shingle Style Homes in Connecticut

Shingle style homes are quintessentially New England, coming into style in the late-19th century following the rise of Victorian-era architecture throughout the country. These dwellings, which blend traditional design with weathered materials, symbolize East Coast charm and give a nod to various architectural elements of the past.

Shingle style architecture proved not only to be popular but also revolutionary. It introduced organicism to a home’s overall structure. The style embraced the site upon which it was built, making for a more natural transition from the environment to a building.

Early shingle style homes borrowed traits from Victorian-era building, particularly Queen Anne-style architecture. These aspects include asymmetrical facades, wide porches, and shingled surfaces. Often, the builders behind shingle style homes blended various facets of different designs, creating a unique and classic style. Thus, many early shingle style homes also borrow elements from Colonial Revival architecture, like Palladian windows, classical columns and Gambrel roofs.

Like their Victorian predecessors, these homes were often built for the well-to-do, and especially for those who liked to summer on the coast of New England. The cost of construction to build these homes, with the blending of diverse architecture united with a cladding of wood shingles, was out of reach for the average homeowner at the time.

Architects today incorporate contemporary influences to the shingle-style home’s historic aesthetic. The classic, yet informal, look remains popular among coastal country homes and beach retreats. In fact, shingle-style is frequently featured in Cardello Architect’s portfolio of newly constructed and renovated homes. Because of our familiarity and experience with the style, we can share what details make for the best shingle style homes in Connecticut.

Diverse Design Elements United by Wood Cladding

One of the most obvious aspects defining shingle style homes is, of course, the layer of wood shingles that ties the exterior design elements and surfaces together. For example, the exterior of this traditional shingle-style home in Greenwich includes curved dormers, large windows, and steeply pitched rooflines, but the layer of wood shingles provides a unifying backdrop.

Although considered a renovation, Cardello Architects kept the foundation and built a new house on top of it. The clients were looking for a noble, shingle-style home that would perch naturally on the hill overlooking Burning Tree Country Club, and wanted to include a modern twist for the interior, giving the house an eclectic blend of styles. The curved dormers provide interesting detail. They help the modern architecture translate to the interior – an elliptical-shaped stair traces up into these dormers.

A Natural Transition from Environment to Building

Generally, shingle-style home design means dwellings built into the surroundings, blending naturally with the environment. The focus on nature shows in various design elements of shingle style homes, including sweeping porches and large windows.

This home in the Noroton Bay community in Darien truly had to be built to be at one with nature. Previously, the homeowners completed a minor renovation, which Hurricane Sandy destroyed in 2012. Starting from scratch, Cardello Architects raised the house to comply with FEMA regulations. This provided the owner’s peace of mind that their new shingle style home could weather future storms. Sitting on a small rounded corner lot, the shape and position of the house respond to the property. Natural stone steps and terraces ease the structure out of the yard. The homeowners can admire their water views from the dormered third-floor space.

This craftsman renewal in Darien exemplifies how shingle style homes embrace nature. Large windows and French doors that open onto a porch allow homeowners to take in their surroundings. The space Cardello Architects created in the Great Room provides inspiration, with lots of custom millwork. Additionally, the space created by the interior plan makes the house seem much larger and open.

Steeply-Pitched and Embellished Rooflines

Embellished and steeply-pitched rooflines are among characteristics that define shingle style homes.

For this Darien residence, the client was looking for an elegant and economical house with curb appeal. The shingle-style home designed followed a simple structure, draped with a pretty coat. The front gable and extended roof give the house personality, and the front porch is welcoming to its visitors. The exterior details give this house its character.

If you’d like to learn more about our team at Cardello Architects and how we can help you design your dream home, contact us today.