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Plantation style homes were built during the pre-Civil War era which is also known as the antebellum era (1830 till 1860). These homes were quite numerous in the Southern states with structures featuring the prominent Green Revival and French Revival styles.
The plantation homes in Louisiana featured Spanish architectural ironworks completed specifically for balconies and stairways.
If you want to take this style to your home, here are guidelines that you need to consider –
Plantation Architectural Features
The plantation design was built specifically to beat the piping hot summers. These homes used natural cooling methods such as building open porches and porticos. These were often referred to as galleries along with every story.
Arched windows are also ever-present. These give a soft curve to the straightforward look that the plantation symmetry offers. Accents include rosettes, keystones, medallions and inlays.
It is also common to find wainscoting, chair railing, door capstones, and moldings. Greek Revival molding is not decorative and is often very wide. This was designed to duplicate the look of Greek architecture moldings and stones.
Have a plain, dull door transformed into something more exciting by adding capstones and molding.
Have you ever seen the film Gone With The Wind? This is the perfect epitome of plantation style home complete with fireplaces. These fireplaces were not just decorative because they were also a source of heat and light in each room.
Have your fireplace retrofitted or have one constructed. To make the look more authentic, you can also add French doors that will allow more natural light to come in during the day.
Plantation Interiors
There were two chief features of every plantation home. This is that large entrance hall and the drawing room (also referred to as the parlor).
An entrance hall is important during the pre-Civil War period. This served as the reception area where the homeowners welcomed guests. It was also a place where one’s wealth is displayed. This entrance hall was also a part of natural ventilation as it dispersed hot air that has been trapped.
More often than not, there is also a sweeping staircase that leads to the second floor. This staircase was located in the entrance hall itself and usually opposite the double door main entrance. This staircase was often the location for introductions to the most frivolous events.
The plantation home also pays close attention to entrances especially the foyer area. You should consider hanging a crystal chandelier and wrought-iron railings on those curving staircases.
As for the parlor or drawing room, this was located by the front of the door. This allowed a more private way of welcoming guests. Large plantation homes even had two parlors with one being larger than the other. The drawing room was where formal entertaining is done. This was also where the gentlemen retired right after their formal dinner. This was where they smoked those cigars and drank cognac. ‘Remember Titanic the movie? Men then had this after-meal tradition.
The parlor or the smaller room was often used by the family. It was also where day visitors are welcomed and where women retired after attending formal dinner. This is also where they sip their hot coffee and tea and, yes, catch up with gossips.
You can also further transform the look of a room by including these elements –
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