English Country Revival style homes were typically constructed between 1920 and 1940. Compared with the larger Tudor-style country residences that appeared in the late 19th century that echoed medieval English styles, modern English Country Revival style homes were typically smaller and more streamlined (further discussed below). Early Country Estate Houses, the English Cottage (or Cotswold) style and familiar half-timbered Tudors are all variants of English County Revival.
The English Country Revival style takes English medieval design characteristics, such as asymmetry, “catslide” roofs, reverse dormers, steep/multi-gabled roofs, multi-light casement windows, over-scaled chimneys and decorative chimney pots, but carefully rearranges them for artistic or picturesque effect. Such houses are typically one to two stories in height, with a mix of exterior wall materials ranging from stucco to half-timbering to stone to haphazardly placed, purposefully misshapen brick. English County Revival houses tend to be cozy and have irregularly shaped rooms.
The home on 5 Jacqueline Drive is best characterized by a variant of Englsh Country Revivial, English Cottage (or Cotswold). The primary distinguishing characteristic between this style and the English Tudor style is the construction materials; otherwise these two styles share similar forms, massing, and floor plans. Stucco and false half-timber exterior treatments provide the identity for the English Tudor style, whereas the English Cottage style relies on an all-masonry or a majority-masonry exterior.
The applicant’s home is two stories with a dominant, steeply pitched, multi-gabled roof. The roofline is asymmetrical and adorned with a reverse dormer window on the east facade. The exterior building material is mainly brick with some sections comprised of stone. While the brick is mostly laid to create a flush wall surface, some bricks are haphazardly laid to create texture. The multi-paned windows can be found on the first and second floors surrounding the east, north, and west facades. An over-scaled chimney with decorative chimney pots is located on the west side of the home. Both entrances include wood entry doors. The garage is attached to the home by means of a “catslide” roof.
There was an addition placed on the northwest part of the home between 1927 and 1956. According to the applicant, the location of the addition replaced a previously attached patio to the residence.
The property was surveyed in 1971-1975 as part of the Village Historic Building Survey. The report erroneously categorized this home as a Gothic Revival style; upon further review of the applicant’s application and consultation with the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, English County Revival more accurately describes the architectural style of the home.
Source; Village of Downers Grove
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