When it comes to architectural styles, most people think of Colonial or Tudor Revival. But there is another gem from the early 20th century that deserves attention - the French Eclectic style. Also known as French Provincial or French Chateau, this style gained popularity in the 1920s and 1930s. Although it never reached the same level of fame as its counterparts, a number of impressive examples can be found in the Pacific Northwest.
A French Inspiration
The French Eclectic style emerged from an increased knowledge of French architecture and a deep appreciation for French culture. American soldiers who served in France during World War I returned home with first-hand familiarity with French domestic architecture, particularly from the Normandy and Brittany regions. Furthermore, many Pacific Northwest architects had received training at the prestigious Ecole des Beaux Arts School in Paris, allowing them to bring their newfound knowledge back to America.
Adding to the style's popularity were the numerous photographic studies of modest French homes published in architectural journals and popular magazines. These photos and accompanying commentary provided architects and builders with a plethora of design ideas to draw from.
Architectural Features
The French Eclectic style is characterized by its rectangular and symmetrical design. The most distinctive feature is the massive hip roof, with its ridge running parallel to the front of the house. This roof often includes a second floor, featuring several dormers that provide natural light. These dormers can have segmental or hip roofs, with shed dormers being another possible variation. Typically, the dormers are situated within the exterior wall plane.
The exterior cladding of French Eclectic homes can be made of brick, stucco, or clapboard. The detailing varies from formal classically inspired door surrounds with pediments and pilasters to a more relaxed English Tudor flavor with board & batten doors and round arched entry porches. Windows can be either multi-light double-hung sashes or casement style and are often enhanced by decorative shutters. Wings are commonly added to the sides of the main building block to expand the structure, but they are usually smaller in size. Decorative quoins can be found at the corners of the buildings and near doors and windows, adding an extra touch of elegance.
Washington State Gems
Let's take a look at some notable examples of the French Eclectic style found in Washington State:
- Orin Fisher Jr. House, Seattle (1926)
- Skoog House, Seattle (c.1932)
- Earl & Hulda Veatch House, Longview (1928)
- Puget Power Substation, Olympia (1927)
- House, Enumclaw (c.1938)
- R.O. Welts House, Mount Vernon (1935)
- House, Spokane (c.1932)
- Berwind - Purcell House, Longview (1938)
- Kappa Delta House, Pullman (c.1939)
Caption: Orin Fisher Jr. House Seattle - 1926
Digging Deeper
If you are interested in learning more about the French Eclectic style and its architectural wonders, here are some recommended resources:
- Townsend, Gilbert & J. Ralph Dalzell, "How to Plan a House". American Technical Society. Chicago, IL, 1946.
- Mead, Marcia, "Homes of Character: The French Chateau" The Small Home. The Architects Small House Service. Minneapolis, MN, July 1930.
- "Formality and an L-Shaped Plan" The Small Home. The Architects Small House Service. Minneapolis, MN, July 1930.
- Gowans, Alan, The Comfortable House, The MIT Press, Cambridge, MA, 1987.
- The Blue Book of Home Plans for Home in the Pacific Northwest, Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association, Tacoma, 1937
- Schweitzer, Robert & Michael Davis, America's Favorite Homes, Wayne State University Press, Detroit, MI, 1990.
- Massey, James & Shirley Maxwell, House Styles in American: The Old-House Journal Guide to the Architecture of American Homes, Penguin Books, New York, NY, 1996.
- Massey, James & Shirley Maxwell, The French Revival: The Old-House Journal, May/June 1991.
- Walker, Lester, American Homes: An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Domestic Architecture, The Overlook Press, New York, NY, 1981.
Discover the charm of French Eclectic architecture and let it inspire your own dreams of a beautiful home.
