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French county style homes became popular around 1915, when soldiers returning from World War 1 brought ideas they had found in European homes in the French countryside. The French country style is enjoying a comeback in recent years, especially in the New Orleans area, which has always been greatly influenced by French architecture.
As with many other styles, there are variations to French architecture. Some plans are symmetrical with steep hipped roofs and exteriors are sometimes siding, shakes or other materials.
French architecture is a unique style that offers a lot of charm with its distinctive characteristics. These house plans generally have asymmetrical exteriors with a combination of ornamental attributes that complete the design.
Some of the common characteristics of French-style homes:
- Brick, stone or stucco siding on exterior walls
- Steep hipped roof, usually with flared eaves
- Tall, narrow, multi-paned windows
- Shutters on windows
- Sometimes tall second floor windows break through the cornice
- Arched doorway
- Sometimes decorative half-timbering (exposed wood framing) as would be typically seen on an English Tudor style home
- Courtyard containing formal garden, fountain or pool
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