A shingle-style home: Insights into the traditional coastal architectural design
A Charming Shingle-Style Home in East Hampton
Nestled in the picturesque town of East Hampton, a late 19th-century home stands as a testament to the enduring beauty of Shingle style architecture. This architectural gem, influenced by the Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, and Arts and Crafts styles, encircled by porches, clad in cedar shingles, and boasting a central 'Hall' that serves as both the entrance and living space, is a contemporary example of the style.
The primary rooms of the home open organically off this central hall, and covered porches, or 'piazzas', encircle these spaces, offering breathtaking views beyond. Generously sized double-hung windows and French doors open to these porches, inviting the outside in.
The simplicity of the original property was a major appeal to its owners, and the interior reflects an eclectic mix, a testament to the homeowners' travels and history. Chintz and patterned wallpapers are common, especially in the bedrooms, while wood floors throughout the home are topped by carpets that could be Persian, sisal, or anything between. The Hall and library room may feature stained wood paneling with carved and turned details.
The exterior of the home, clad entirely in wood shingles, blends harmoniously with its coastal setting. The shingles, often weathered naturally, contribute to a rugged yet elegant look. The home's massing is asymmetrical and picturesque, with complex roof forms such as broad gambrel or gable roofs that sometimes extend downwards to cover porches and lower floors. Flared eaves and overhanging dormers are common features.
Shingle style architecture originated in the late 19th century, primarily in the Northeastern United States. It evolved by blending influences from the Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, and English Arts and Crafts movements, adapting these with a distinctive focus on wooden shingle cladding that envelopes the entire exterior, creating a continuous surface without interruption by corner boards.
Historically, the Shingle style flourished among affluent families who built summer "cottages" or vacation homes along the Eastern Seaboard, particularly in New England and nearby resort areas like the Catskills in New York. Sandra Cavallo's renovation of her shingle-style home in Cape Cod, built in 1905, is a prime example. Her renovation aimed to respect the design elements important to shingle-style architecture while employing modern sustainability principles and taking advantage of expansive views.
In East Hampton, the design of the home was influenced by 19th-century architecture, aiming to reflect the agrarian orchards and farms of the area. The Shingle style, with its emphasis on natural materials and integration with the surroundings, perfectly embodies this ideal.
Today, the East Hampton home stands as a proud reminder of the past, blending seamlessly with its surroundings while offering a comfortable and stylish living space for its owners. The Shingle style, with its unique blend of traditional and modern elements, continues to captivate and inspire architects and homeowners alike.
- The Shingle-style home in East Hampton, resonating with the Shingle style architecture’s origins, boasts an interior design that reflects the homeowners' travels and history, incorporating lifestyle elements that seamlessly blend with the home-and-garden setting.
- Nestled among picturesque orchards and farms, the East Hampton home serves as a contemporary example of home-and-garden living, with its interior design echoing the Shingle style’s focus on natural materials and its exterior's perfect embodiment of the style's unique blend of traditional and modern elements.
