Understanding the architectural style of your home (or future home!) is about more than just having a catchy buzzword to throw around at parties. Sure, it sounds great when you can tell friends you “just moved into a mid-mod house in the Shores” while sipping on martinis, but knowing the context and meaning of different architectural styles can completely change your view on a property. Beyond fun facts about room placements and design decisions, knowing a bit about the architectural history will help you appreciate the uniqueness of any building. Once you have that understanding, it’s one of the quickest ways for a house to transform into a home.
Adding custom stained glass windows to your Victorian in Lincolnville? Great idea. Painting all the walls a deep maroon and installing antique chandeliers? Awesome for that Victorian, but it probably doesn’t work in a coastal bungalow in Vilano Beach.
As one of (well, actually the oldest) cities in the United States, there are centuries of architectural tradition in St. Augustine. Some of the most popular include Spanish Colonial, Victorian, Mid-century Modern, and Modern Coastal. Let’s explore each of these and see what sets them apart from the pack.
Spanish Colonial
The influence of Spanish Colonial architecture goes back to the 1600s when the Spanish began to settle in America. They tended to focus on warm regions of North America like Florida, California, and the Southwest. These states are where the majority of these style homes remain. Since the area we now know as St. Augustine was discovered by Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon in the early 1500s and later settled by his countrymen, it’s no surprise that it is a predominant style here.
The Spanish Colonial takes inspiration from Spanish, Moorish, and North African influences. Some defining traits of this style are arched entryways, white stucco walls, patterned tile, and neutral color pallets with an emphasis on organic materials. These design choices are both functional and aesthetic. The materials for the homes repel heat, such as the white stucco walls made of adobe, a dried mud brick. In modern construction, white brick is often substituted for traditional adobe.
Properties may also have metalwork accents and garden courtyards, bringing the living area outdoors. Some homes feature “Juliet” balconies, which (despite being named for the iconic scene from a British play set in Italy) can be a hallmark of Spanish Colonial architecture. These homes thrive in warm climates, blending old-world aesthetics with contemporary charm. Even as the materials have evolved, the timeless style maintains great appeal.
150 Calle Menendez. Listed exclusively by The Newcomer Group.
Victorian Architecture
Next, the Victorian style developed between 1837 and 1901. During this period, the Industrial Revolution was on the rise. Building orante homes became accessible to improvements in technology. This style, named for Queen Victoria of England, spread across the world, gathering a variety of influences from different periods. The most common types of Victorian architecture include: Gothic Revival, Italianate, and Second Empire.
Victorian architecture is hard to miss. You can identify these homes by the multi-story structure, cone-like or spired tops, bay windows on round or octagonal towers, detailed ornamentation, and wraparound porches. Many homes are painted in various bright colors. In North Florida, Amelia Island, St. Augustine, and Jacksonville, there are an abundance of Victorian homes generally found in historic districts.
Mid-Century Modern
Mid-century modern architecture is having a trendy renaissance in home aesthetics. After World War II, optimism and plenty of new construction across the entire country led to a new style being developed from the mid-40’s to the 70’s. Naturally, this style became known as mid-century modern (mid-mod, for short), and extended well beyond architecture to furniture, graphic design, and more.
Key characteristics for defining mid-century modern architecture are clean lines, the use of wood, open floor plans, and floor-to-ceiling windows. All of these traits reflect the rejection of ornamentation and a connection to the natural world within the home. The use of neutral colors and natural materials with textures, and consistent lines or forms is the best way to characterize and identify mid-century modern architecture. These homes are one to two stories high and are often wide homes.
205 Coquina Ave. Listed exclusively by The Newcomer Group.
Modern Coastal
Beach and coastal homes come in as many shapes and styles as there are oceans and lakes. For example, you wouldn’t expect a saltbox home on Cape Cod to look the same as a clifftop mansion in Malibu! Here in Florida, just one of the beachside styles is modern coastal, a chic blend of contemporary style and beach aesthetics.
Modern coastal architecture epitomizes luxury, efficiency, and sustainability. These designs bring the natural landscape into the home. Open floor plans and large windows are some key characteristics, in addition to building upward on stilt-like structures.
Large viewing spaces help with natural light and ventilation within the home. Clean and minimalist structures are used to minimize obstructions and allow a natural flow to the layout. Building off the ground is important near coastlines due to weather and flooding. Likewise, sustainable and weather-proof materials are used in these homes to enhance stability. While there are some homes in this style further inland, you’ll often find it on the most in-demand lots close to the beach and waterfront.
1 E Street. Listed exclusively by The Newcomer Group.
Find Your Next Dream Home
Whether you are drawn to Spanish Colonial charm or Modern Coastal, knowing what to look for helps you find a home that truly speaks to you.
Ready to explore homes that match your dream aesthetic? The Newcomer Group can help you find what you are looking for in North Florida.
