Italianate Architecture

During the 19th century an architectural style evolved, in which picturesque aesthetics were combined with the models and expressions of the 16th century Italian architecture style to form a variant that came to be known in the course of the history of Classical architecture as the Italianate style of architecture. As the Italian 16th century style provided the inspiration for both Palladianism and Neoclassicism, the Italianate style was also qualified as Neo-Renaissance.

Interior decoration

The interiors of Italianate style buildings were greatly varied; nevertheless almost always depicted as a combine of the ornamental features of 16th century Italian architecture and objects into distinctive 19th century forms. Wardrobes and dressers were applied Italianate as well as row houses. Such commercial designs are believed to have been in the “free-Renaissance” style promoted by Charles Eastlake through his publication “Hints on Household Taste in Furniture, Upholstery and other Details”. Published in 1868 in Britain and in 1872 in the United States, the publication was very popular in both the countries. In modern times, “Italianate” furnishings are referred to as “Eastlake” by North American collectors and dealers, and also more broadly as “Neo-Grec”.

Elements of the style

The main visual elements of the Italianate style include

• Low-pitched or flat roofs
• Projecting eaves supported by large corbels
• Large cornice structures
• Pedimented doors
• Arch-headed, pedimented or Serlian windows with emphatic architraves and archivolts
• Tall first floor windows suggesting a piano nobile
• Angled bay windows
• Attics with a row of awning windows between the eave brackets
• Glazed doors
• Belvedere or machicolated signorial towers
• Cupolas
• Quoins
• Loggias
• Balconies with wrought-iron railings, or Renaissance balustrade
• Balustrades covering up the rooflines

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