Historic House Plans—from Vintage to Contemporary

Experience the Charm and Timeless Beauty of Historic House Plans 

Why are historic homes so appealing?

For those who love everything vintage and want to preserve the beautiful in our communities, historic-style house plans are ideal designs. Some potential homeowners are inspired by homes of U.S. Presidents, and others are drawn to designated landmarks in old neighborhoods. Whether it’s a majestic presidential home, a quaint structure in New England, or a charming house in the South, historic house plans have fascinated and captivated imaginations with their charm, character, and timeless beauty.   

Contemporary Historic House Plans

For vintage house buffs, history and films provide the first seeds of interest in historic house plans. While the architecture enthusiast is most likely familiar with Presidential residences, there are others who pay close attention to memorable homes featured in movies.

Not quite as popular as other Presidential retreats, the Gothic Revival summer home at The Old Soldiers’ Home in Washington, D.C., is a lovely structure that can be adapted to modern times. Known as the Lincoln Cottage, the summer residence was also frequented by Presidents James Buchanan, Rutherford Hayes, and Chester Arthur.

In keeping with the demands of the times as well as potential homeowners, architects now look to actual—and famous—homes for ideas in designing historic-style house plans. These contemporary historic home plans include details and accents that give the look and feel of vintage styles—such as Colonial, European, Georgian, Gothic Revival, Victorian, and Greek Revival. But within the homes are floor plans that are tailored for present-day contemporary lifestyles.   

Revisiting House Plans Related to Historic Styles

Georgian-Style Home Plans

If you love porticos, gable roofs, and dormers, go for Georgian house plans. Dating back to the mid-1700s, the Georgian style is most popular on the East Coast of the U.S.—New England, New York, Pennsylvania—and the Southern states, where the English influence was predominant. You may find the style in Virgina, North Carolina, and Tennessee home plans, among others. Stately and elegant, the Georgian home is characterized by its symmetry, balance, and proportion.     

The Georgian house plan can be one or two stories with a centered entryway, paneled front door, and windows that are equally balanced horizontally and vertically. The exterior facade is mostly made of brick or stone, and the colors most commonly used are red, tan, or white. (For more on this style, click here.) 

Greek Revival-Style House Plans

From 1825 to 1860, there was an increased interest in classical buildings in both Europe and the U.S. American-born architects turned toward Greek buildings as design models. And with the waning influence of the British, Classic Revival homes were built in the South, particularly in Virginia. In other parts of the country, the style was evident in public buildings such as town halls, churches, and banks.

The Greek Revival style—elegant and symmetrical like the Georgian house plan—is usually two or three stories with tall columns. Homes in this style were painted white to resemble Grecian temples. Stucco, wood, and sometimes stone are the basic building materials for Greek Revival homes. Other structural elements include porches, a temple-inspired front gable, balconies, and tall windows.

The style was prevalent up to the American Civil War, and its most familiar form is the Southern plantation house.

European-Style Home Plans

Historic house plans influenced by the collective “European” style range from quaint cottages, elegant manor homes, and rustic country residences to fairy-tale-like chateaus, complete with towers and turrets. European styles deliver Old World charm and adaptable designs suited for every region in the U.S.  

Characterized by complex rooflines, arches, and wrought-iron accents, European-style house plans usually have stone, stucco, and/or brick facades. Red-tile roofs are signature features of the related Spanish, Mediterranean, and Tuscan styles. (For more details on European-style house plans, click here.)

If you feel like being transported into another time, another era—and you enjoy the comforts of modern living—take a look at contemporary versions of historic house plans.

Footnote: The top lead image in this article is a two-story, five bedroom Colonial home with European touches that features a library, a veranda, and a grand room with a magnificent spiral staircase. For more on the home, click here (Plan #106-1223).