New England Architecture 101 – Italianate

Channeling the romance of a rural Italian villa, the Italianate house leaves behind the rigid stuffiness of the past for a rambling and relaxed floor plan with the flair of a low-pitched roof, deep and decorative eaves, arched windows, and decorative cupolas for admiring the natural view.

Time Period: 1840–1885

Characteristics: Low-hipped roof, arched windows

Famous Example: Maine is home to two fine examples: Stephen King’s spooky Bangor residence and the house museum Victoria Mansion in Portland

Where to Find Italianate Homes: In established but still prosperous and growing cities along the northeast coast

1. Exterior: Decorative belvederes (seen here), cupolas, or towers

2. Roof: A low-pitched design with deep overhanging eaves with highly decorative cornices and brackets

3. Windows: Tall and narrow, with rounded or arched tops

Aimee Tucker

Aimee Tucker is Yankee Magazine’s Senior Digital Editor. A lifelong New Englander and Yankee contributor since 2010, Aimee has written columns devoted to history, foliage, retro food, and architecture, and regularly shares her experiences in New England travel, home, and gardening. Her most memorable Yankee experiences to date include meeting Stephen King, singing along to a James Taylor Fourth of July concert at Tanglewood, and taking to the skies in the Hood blimp for an open-air tour of the Massachusetts coastline.

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