Welcome back!
Come on in Through the Front Door.
In this blog we’re gonna explore Tudor style homes, their roots, interiors, exteriors, and home decor items that compliment this style.
What is a Tudor Style home & why am I choosing to write my third blog about this specific style?
Let me start with the second half of that question.
I’m from deep South Texas and grew up in a Tudor Style home & where I’m from you don’t see too many.
When I grew up, I learned that my mother saw a Tudor style home in a magazine and fell in love. So when her and my father built their forever home, they knew exactly what they wanted.
My parents still live in the home I grew up in and I still admire it today.
After just googling Tudor style homes, I learned that Tudors are still being built, but have been modernized!
Crazy. Right.
We’ll be exploring both Traditional Tudors & Modern Tudors.
Let’s look at how it all started.
Origin
Tudor Style homes originated in England & Wales between 1485-1603.
They are called “Tudor” homes because the style was born during the reign of Henry Tudor VIII. Classy.
As we could tell by the exquisite exteriors of these homes, they have a heavy European influence.
Tudor homes made their way to the United States in the early 1920’s and have been a tried and true style that has only been improved on.
Traditional Tudor
Exterior
Exteriors are a huge component of what makes a Tudor style home.
The exteriors of these European inspired homes are characterized by steeply pitched roofs and multiple overlapping front facing gables (part of the wall that encloses the end of a pitched roof).
As for siding, Tudors are made up of mostly brick or stone, accented with half-timber framing (widely spaced wooden boards with stucco or stone in between).
Interior
The interiors of these homes are dressed in heavy rectangular and square shaped wainscoting (paneling) from floor to ceiling.
The wainscoting is almost always stained with rich, dark brown tones.
Cathedral ceilings are another tell-tale sign of Tudor homes and are commonly adorned with dark beams in parallel lines spanning across the room.
When the ceiling is flat, we’ll see box beams.
The color palette for traditional Tudors is, you guessed it, warm tones.
Rich browns, creamy browns, creamy whites, all the warm and cozy colors that help make this style of home feel familiar.
In the kitchen, dark brown countertops and cabinetry make for a moody feel and are accompanied by darker brass hardware.
These homes are found mostly in the Northern United States for their cozy facade & we can understand why. (Now I know why I don’t see many Tudors in deep South Texas: it’s HOT)
Home Decor for Traditional Tudors
Home decor is an extremely easy way to bring about a Tudor style feel to your home.
Here are some home decor items that would compliment a Traditional Tudor.
JESONVID Solid Wood Oval Coffee Table with Drawer and Storage Shelf, 44.9″ – Amazon
Modern Tudor
Exterior
In the past couple of years, we’ve seen an increase in Modern Tudor style homes, only the style has taken a delightful turn from warm and moody to light and airy.
Like Traditional Tudors, Modern tudors feature steep pitched roofs, recessed entries, and lots of drama.
Asymmetry is huge in Modern Tudor exteriors, so doors and windows are placed at different heights, adding to visual pleasure.
We see less contrasting timber accents, and more of a uniform color being used on the exterior of the home.
Interior
The cathedral ceilings aren’t going anywhere, and for good reason!
Similarly, beams are still a prominent feature but are commonly faux or stained to resemble white oak making the space feel light and open.
Wainscoting is still present, but like the lighter beams, we’ll see more neutral and airy colors like creamy whites on the walls.
Hardwood floors are still present as well, but in lighter shades of brown, sporting a more modern design.
Black window trim accompanied by light walls highlights the modernity and evolution of the design.
Hardware finishes range from unlacquered brass to black, tying in the airy feel of the space.
Wallpaper! Wallpaper, wallpaper, wallpaper. I love the use of wallpaper in these homes. The different patterns are a great way to add intrigue and keep that classy, Tudor feel throughout the home.
Elements such as light fixtures, archways, furniture, cabinetry detail, and baseboard trim are all used to create a modern feel that still holds traditional detail.
This Modern Tudor style of interior design is really what you make it.
Whether you want to tie in organic modern with traditional or even a cottage core vibe, you can’t go wrong.
Here are some great home decor items that compliment a Modern Tudor.
Kate and Laurel Myrcelle Traditional Arched Mirror, 25 x 33 – Amazon
MUDECOR Framed Canvas Print Wall – Amazon
KFO Storage Cabinet with Doors – Amazon
Chris Loves Julia x Loloi 7′-6′ x 9′-6′ Terracotta Area Rug
Tudor Style homes are beautiful, intriguing, and offer a story book feeling that not many styles do.
*Amazon links are affiliate links that provide me with a small commission should you purchase an item.
Between their cathedral ceilings and eye pleasing exteriors, Tudors offer elevated design styles that keep European elegance alive.
