Classic Plantation house designs are a timeless classic. Traditional Southern Plantation house designs have typically been two stories with symmetrical façades, large columns, and gabled roofs. These designs feature white stucco walls, longitudinal rooms, and the traditional two-story porch with double balconies. Most design elements of plantation homes recall the Old South's grandiosity, such as the traditional wood flooring, ornately carved doors, generous windows, and fireplace mantels. Ornamentation could take the shape of fleur-de-lis motifs, lions, dolphins, or urns. Plantation-style architecture is vouched for its large forms and bold details. Elements such as a grand entrance, ample porches, huge double-hung windows, and a large fireplace are often featured. The interiors boast tall ceilings, stained wood walls, and broad staircases, emphasizing the home's gracefulness. The style that inspired American structure is Baroque, one of the styles of the Art Deco period. Classical Southern Plantation House Designs
Classical Southern Plantation House Designs
Greek Revival Plantation House Designs are highly popular in the United States. These designs are characterized by columns evenly spaced along the full height of the building which are typically constructed with the Doric, Ionic, or Corinthian orders. The wide over-hangs of the porch provide the home with sun protection, while the symmetrical roofline and windows create an airiness within. Additionally, Greek Revival homes are known for their tall columns, high ceilings, and double chimney flues. Ornamentation may include sunbursts, eagles, and acanthus, which are all symbolic of the classical Greek and Roman architecture. Aesthetics are of utmost importance in Greek Revival home design plans. Dan Graham, a famous designer, emphasizes the importance of creating a balance of proportion and symmetry to create an alluring sense of tranquility. This sentiment is echoed in the Greek revival plantation house designs. Many homes of this style feature intricate molding along with decorative borders and accents. Greek Revival Plantation House Designs
Greek Revival Plantation House Designs
Every plantation home has a kitchen. Plantation home kitchen designs may differ because there is a wide variety of architectural styles in the United States. For instance, Colonial kitchens are typically quite simple with white painted cabinets, square edges, and rustic knots. Whereas Greek Revival kitchens feature raised-panel cabinetry, detailed posts, and tall base cabinets. Many of the plantation home kitchen designs are modeled after traditional French kitchens. These kitchens may feature classic elements such as apron sinks, ornate cabinetry, decorative island legs, and an open concept layout. Plantation home kitchen designs also take advantage of natural light with windows over the sink. Additionally, most of these designs have an expansive cooking area which is both sophisticated and functional. Not to mention, mansion kitchen designs, such as those seen in plantation homes, also typically feature multiple ovens, warming drawers, and a walk-in pantry. Plantation Home Kitchen Designs
Plantation Home Kitchen Designs
Upscale plantation homes often showcase grand windows that emphasize the building’s scale. Windows define the architecture of the house and set the style. They also a create a visual link between the indoors and outdoors. Plantation house window designs can be considered the eyes of the building. In addition to providing natural light, these windows allow you to gain an appreciation of the surrounding landscape. Most plantation home designs feature oversized windows with several smaller windows scattered around the façade. These windows can be used to highlight dramatic landscapes, dark interiors, or even light-filled rooms. Many plantation homes feature arched or bay window designs to create an inviting and dramatic look. Plantation homes also typically utilize tall shutters that can be closed to increase privacy or shield from inclement weather. Plantation House Window Designs
Plantation House Window Designs
Swimming pools are often associated with luxury and exquisite entertainment. Plantation house pools designs are some of the most impressive yet. Classically designed plantation home pools can be found in many of the well-known and exclusive resorts around the world. Providing a sense of privacy, the planter house pools designs offer a whole new level of relaxation and can add a great deal of functionality to a tropical backdrop. Plantation house pool designs are characterized by their unique silhouettes and exquisite features. Multiple pool shapes, sizes, and depths are available, allowing homeowners to customize their pool to their exact preferences. Pool features can include underwater benches, fire pits, or Jacuzzis for further relaxation. Another popular feature of the plantation home pool designs is a custom, infinity pool with elegant staircases and a stone ledge. Plantation House Pool Designs
Plantation House Pool Designs
A great asset to any plantation house is its fireplace. Not only does it provide a feeling of comfort and warmth during the colder months, but it also serves as a gathering place for family and friends. Plantation house fireplace designs typically feature simple, traditional elements such as arched wood mantles and white-painted trim. Ornate designs such as Corinthian columns with white marble, elaborately carved mantles, and colorful wallpapers adorn the walls. Many plantation homes also feature large fireplaces with wood burning stoves, which provide an extra layer of coziness. These fireplaces are often the focal point of the room and are usually surrounded by furniture and accessories carefully arranged to create a stylish yet comfortable atmosphere. Plantation House Fireplace Designs
Plantation House Fireplace Designs
Patio designs specifically for plantation house often feature pergolas, landscape designs, and large outdoor furniture. The addition of a patio to a plantation home is a great way to increase the amount of outdoor living space that the home has to offer. Plantation house patios can be designed to blend in with the architectural style of the home and they are typically constructed out of wood, stone, or brick. A pergola is often a great addition to a patio as it adds shade and a visual focal point. Many patio designs also feature lush landscaping and colorful blooms that can provide a pleasing contrast to the structural elements of the home. Patio furniture is a must in order to create an inviting atmosphere and comfortable seating area. Materials such as wicker and wrought iron are popular choices for patio furniture. Plantation House Patio Designs
Plantation House Patio Designs
Garages often sit at the end of long driveways and complement main plantation home facades. Garages come in many different styles, and plantation home garages often reflect the grandeur of the main residence. Garages typically add value to the property and can also disguise unattractive features on the home's exterior. These garages can feature materials such as brick, stone, cinder blocks, or even salvaged wood. Plantation garages often include unique detailing like iron railings or custom window designs. Look for panel doors that are painted in a muted tone to mirror the home’s exterior, and and a custom-built door frame and large molding accents to give a traditional finish to the garage. Plantation Home Garage Designs
Plantation Home Garage Designs
A porch is a great addition to any plantation home. They provide space for entertaining and relaxation, and are typically constructed with floor joists and posts. Porch designs often reflect the style of the main residence and can be built to match or contrast with the exterior of the home. Traditional designs are characterized by wraparound verandas, open trelliswork, wicker furniture, and large wooden columns. Rustic porch designs often incorporate wood paneling, universal colors, lanterns, natural stone, and wood beams. Additionally, some porches have unique detailing such as flagstone steps, ornate window boxes, and stamped concrete. Porches can also be transformed into additional living space by adding screen walls and ceiling fans. Plantation Home Porch Designs
Plantation Home Porch Designs
Plantation style home designs are inspired by the 19th-century grandeur of the American south. These homes can feature grand columns, balconies, and porches as well as lots of wicker furniture and copper accents. The interior of the homes typically feature classic details such as hardwood floors, arched doorways, and fireplaces. Ceilings may have unique details such as exposed beams, stamped tin tile, or even ornamental medallions. Subtle wallpapers often adorn the walls and can lend a feeling of sophistication to the home. It is common for plantation style homes to feature deep porches, grand staircases, and front doors with intricate details. Plantation Style Home Designs
Plantation Style House Designs
Colonial Plantation House Designs are inspired by the original architecture of the American colonies. These designs feature gambrel roofs, tall chimneys, pediment accents, and transom windows. These homes typically feature large open spaces, symmetrical facades, and large shutters that can add both shading and a sense of security to the home. Most Colonial Plantation Homes have tall ceilings, hardwood floors, and detailed trim work, such as wainscoting, chair rails, and crown moldings. The interiors of the home may also feature classic details such as grandfather clocks, chandeliers, and period furniture. Additionally, the layouts often feature built-in cabinetry and ornamental details that are reminiscent of the 18th century tradition. Colonial Plantation House Designs
Colonial Plantation House Designs
Classical Styling of Southern Plantation House Design
Southern plantation homes are often associated with the Classical and Greek Revival architectural styles that were popular in the 1700-1800s. The elegant columns, porticoes, and detailed exterior ornamentation are what make the Southern plantation house one of the most iconic and recognizable historical house designs. Greek Revival designs usually featured taller, square-columned porticoes, tall windows, and exterior wall panels that were full of intense details and ornamentation. Greek Revival homes are straight-lined and can be either two or three stories tall.
Italianate Plantation Homes
The Italianate style is quite different from the Greek Revival. Its defining characteristics are a lower roof pitch with central chimneys, hipped roof, two-story porches, large decorative brackets, and the absence of exterior ornamentation. It was the most popular style of architecture for plantation homes from 1830 to 1855. In many cases, Italianate-style homes had winged entries, bay windows, and short, stoop wings. It was common for the builder to include double-hung sash windows.
Queen Anne Style Plantation Houses
The Queen Anne style was a popular architectural style in America Reconstruction period between 1865 and 1890 and can be seen on many old Southern plantation homes. The Queen Anne style is characterized by irregular-shaped, wraparound porches, asymmetrical floor plans, and steeply pitched roofs with a large gable in the center. It was common for these homes to have ornamental finishes in the wooden and brick details. Queen Anne plantation houses are often much larger than their Classical and Italianate counterparts and feature large windows with decorative trims, making the structures grand and impressive.
Revival Plantation Houses
In the early 1900s, Revival styles of architecture were very popular. Revival styles included Tudor, Colonial, and Gothic Revival styles. These plantation houses were often two stories tall and featured decorative elements such as shutters, trim details, and large, open porches. Tudor Revival-style plantation homes usually had steeply pitched roofs, decorative half-timbering, brick or stone work detailing, and half-timbering that was often encased in stucco or other plasters. Colonial Revival plantation houses had details similar to those of their Colonial predecessors, incorporating more modern elements such as metal trim and petal roofing. Gothic Revival-style plantation houses featured steep pitched roofs, tall floor plans, and ornate woodwork.
Modern Interpretation of Plantation Houses
Today, many builders focus on creating modern interpretations of the Southern plantation homes of the past. Many of these new homes are two stories tall, with open, airy floor plans, large windows, and expansive porches. The exterior details may include a combination of brick and siding materials, as well as support columns, porticoes, and details that are representative of the Classical, Italianate, and Queen Anne styles. These modern interpretations of the Southern plantation house celebrate the history of the originals while providing the amenities that homeowners expect from modern houses.
