Monday, August 15, 2011

Carpenter's Gothic

I'm back from a week in Provincetown, Mass. and while there on one of my many bike rides I came across a charming house. Designed in the vernacular "Carpenter's Gothic", part of the Gothic Revival Movement of the 19th century, the house and 2 side cottages have been little changed over the past century.

The influence is subtle but guides every footstep of this charming cottage perched on a hill overlooking the harbor. The steep gables, intricate woodwork mass-produced details and the arched windows on the side cottage all speak of the genre.

You can nearly see the couple from Grant Wood's American Gothic standing in front!

15 comments:

pve design said...

How eerily charming! The American Gothic couple would be right at home avec pitchfork and all.
pve

David Toms said...

Provincetown is so full of wonderful houses and architecture and one of the best things is riding a bike to see it all. Adams Family's vacation home, no?

The Devoted Classicist said...

I love seeing how architectural movements translate to various locales. Perhaps the little building was an office for the homeowner. A doctor or lawyer comes to mind, but overlooking the harbor might be a clue to a boat connection.

ArchitectDesign™ said...

Yes, the house is a bit eerie perhaps but I personally love it! I was hoping to win the 220 million lotto jackpot and make an offer!
Classicist - it's not really near the center of town (far out on Bradford and up at the crest of a large hill) but it's possible they could have been some sort of offices. Now the 2 side cottages appear to be rentals. They do appear to both be of the same vintage as the house though.

The Down East Dilettante said...

And, good New Englander I, naturally our regional interpretation of gothic always charms me.

Mark D. Ruffner said...

I've always enjoyed Gothic Revival. The wood trim seems to be an integral part of the style and its charm, and I would love to live in a house with arched windows. If I livd in such a place, I'd do everything I could to enhance the style, perhaps a gargoyle over the front door!

Laura Casey Interiors said...

I absolutely love the architecture in New England- especially down on the Cape. Great find!

home before dark said...

There is a charming caretakers? shed? in a cemetery in KC that I lust for every time we drive by it. Agree with TDC that is fascinating to watch a style migrate. Glad you had a great vacation!

Anonymous said...

Sorry you didn't win the lottery! But a week in Provincetown is not a bad consolation prize.

Lovely little cottage.

quintessence said...

Don't you just love finding these little gems, untouched by gentrification? Charming!

Renée Finberg said...

this is just sooooo cape cod.
eerie and pretty-

i loved P-Town
and beer with breakfast!! :)

Linda Merrill said...

But, did you stop into the Christmas Tree Shops? You were in my neck of the woods!

InteriorDesignPro said...

Hi ArchitectDesign,

The steep gables and arched windows really made this cottage stand out. It looks great and is an excellent example of the Gothic Revival Movement.

We will be sure to share this on http://www.interiordesignpro.org

Boulder Window Coverings said...

This is such a beautiful craft. Thank you for the post.

David Shearn said...

I'm a little late reading this blog, especially some of the posts, but gone to say... everything here is so great and so true. As someone who's originally from the area, I get a chuckle out of many things here.






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