Luxury house plans with European accents
Grand arches, stucco and projecting bay windows are architectural elements that many modern day architects and designers borrow from some of Europe and Spain's original architectural gurus. You will find that the collection of luxury house plans available at the House Plan Shop incorporates many of the design elements for which European and Meditteranean architecture is recognized.
We offer luxury house plans with European flair that range from Tudor style mansions Mediterranean style homes which draw on Italian and Spanish influences. The purpose of this article is to describe the distinctions between these two prominent European House Plans.
Not interested in a tour de Europe? If you prefer traditional American architecture, read about our colonial house plans.
European house plans: Tudor style
There are nearly 50 sovereign states in Europe, making it a continent of diverse culture and architectural elements. Perhaps one of the most well-recognized and mimicked of European house plans is the Tudor style, which comes from the Tudor dynasty, an English medieval dynasty that lasted from 1485-1603.
Modern day Tudor style homes are most recognized for their "half timbered" appearance, which is created through the application of decorative wood framing, which often has a dark brown or wood effect finish. Tudor homes can also be recognized for steeply pitched roofs, tall narrow windows, and high chimneys. These luxury house plans often also include post and beam framing, with plaster and some fancy brickwork.
Mediterranean house plans
Whereas the Tudor style draws inspiration from England's medieval architecture, Mediterranean house plans get their inspiration from warm climates near the sea. Which explains why Mediterranean house plans are popular in locations that maintain a warm climate year-round. There are serveral characteristics of a Mediterranean home that are conducive to keeping a home cool, such as stucco and red tiled roofs.
Mediterranean house plans often use colorfully patterned tiles, carved doors and spiral columns to add flair. Moreover, these homes generally have open floor plans with large kitchens and dining areas which are great for entertaining. The dining-centric layout of the home is influenced by Tuscan and Spanish tradition, where much emphasis is placed on family dining and cooking.
