How many houses do you drive by in any given day? I’m guessing somewhere in the neighborhood of hundreds. That number might decrease if you’re a mass transit commuter or walker, but you’re still passing by a fair share of residences. Either way, I bet that most of the time you don’t give a single home a glance, much less a second one…that is until you come across what House + Soul likes to call a “house of peaks.” This type of house commands your attention!
No doubt a unique display of architecture, these contemporary homes with steep roofline pitches or peaks, lots of square windows and clapboard siding seem to be a mash-up of Carpenter Gothic, modern farmhouse and geometric-inspired design. Colorful front doors also play a big part in breaking up the monotony of the mostly stark white exteriors and give an added boost of personality. Best of all, each of the examples below is located in Nashville, proving that Southern architecture can be so much more than traditional homes with elaborate columns and sweeping front porches.
Let the tour commence with “Green Door House,” which even ties quirky four-pane, square windows into garage dormers. A concrete stepping stone walkway and interesting grass and bush placement against the home’s entire length equally serve up the right amount of modern.
The second example picks up with “Red Door House,” better known as the Fletcher Residence. Famed architect Hugh Newell Jacobsen, who has operated his firm out of Washington, D.C. since 1958, has done projects ranging from Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis’ Red Gate Farm in Martha’s Vineyard to this Napa Valley gem more recently and, as it turns out, the Fletcher Residence in Nashville. Of his design philosophy, Jacobsen states on his site, “Our detailing is deliberately sparse and linear in order to enhance the spaces within and without.”
The American flag mounted in the front yard tree adds a nice touch, don’t you think?
Example three takes us to “Yellow Door House,” which varies from the other two in that it’s located in a little less landscaped setting, and one that’s more natural and forest-like. The gables of this house also have a greater distance between them than those in the other examples, but the overall look still works.
The tour concludes with “Wild Card House,” named so because this new build incorporates both stone and wood and has a white door (maybe it hasn’t been painted yet). Positioned in front of a fabulously rounded hilltop, the home’s peaks parallel the landscape beautifully, and the clean lines, mix of four-pane windows and multiple gables are in keeping with the preceding three homes.
*Images by House + Soul
Now that you’ve seen the “house of peaks” tour, could you envision yourself living in a house like one of these? Whether you answer yes or no, you’ll now be attuned to spotting an avant-garde form of architecture on your next Sunday afternoon drive or workday commute.
Your House + Soul guru,
Leah
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House + Soul founder and CEO Leah Fitzpatrick proudly holds REALTOR status and hangs her license with Keller Williams Realty in Franklin, Tennessee. A passionate communicator and editor for nearly nine years, thoroughness to detail and unrelenting research tactics are her fortes—both of which translate well when tracking down houses and writing contracts in the Nashville area’s booming real estate market. She’ll also happily engage in any conversation about winemaking or vineyards, hiking, travel, cocker spaniels, art and interior design. Leah welcomes you to reach out to grab coffee with her should you want to discuss any real estate needs.
