Gothic houses, huh? Well, let me tell ya, them houses ain’t like the usual ones we see round here. No, these are them old, spooky lookin’ houses that you see in the stories or in them fancy cities. They got tall, pointy rooftops, windows that look all strange, and doors that just give ya a chill when ya look at ’em. A lotta folks call ’em Gothic houses, and they got a real history behind ’em, I can tell ya that.
Now, don’t get confused—this ain’t about them folks in the black clothes and makeup, though I reckon they might like these houses. We’re talkin’ about a style of house that came way back in the olden days. It all started in Europe, somewhere around the 12th century, when folks decided they wanted to build somethin’ that looked different, somethin’ that would stand out. They wanted their churches and homes to look grand and tall, like they was touchin’ the heavens. That’s when them pointed arches came into play. You know, them windows and doors that look like sharp triangles at the top? Them’s a big part of what makes a Gothic house, alright?
What’s special about these Gothic houses, ya ask? Well, let me tell ya a few things. First off, them roofs, they ain’t flat like regular houses. No, them roofs are steep, almost like they’re pointin’ straight up into the sky. And the gables, them sharp bits at the top of the house? They got some fancy trim on ’em, called vergeboards or bargeboards. It don’t matter if you call it one or the other, but they sure make the house look real fancy.
Now, let me tell ya something else about them Gothic houses. They got a certain kinda feel to ’em. Some folks say they look kinda spooky, like they belong in a ghost story or somethin’. That’s why a lotta people think they were built to be mysterious or even a bit dark. But the truth is, them houses was built that way to show off a certain kind of beauty. It’s all about them sharp lines and tall windows. Makes the house look like it’s reachin’ for the sky.
When it comes to the Gothic Revival, that’s a whole different story. It was like a big ol’ comeback in the 19th century. Folks in Canada, and all over the place, started buildin’ houses again in that same Gothic style. They went all out with the tall arches and them steep roofs. It became real popular, especially for churches and big fancy houses. They liked to show off with them tall, grand windows, and them houses looked like they were from a fairy tale or somethin’. In fact, some of them houses still stand today, and they still look as grand as they did back then.
But here’s the thing: not all Gothic houses are the same. There’s different kinds. You got the Lancet style, that’s the real early kind. The windows are sharp and tall, and the whole house looks like it’s gonna poke a hole in the sky. Then, you got the Geometrical style, where things start to get a little more fancy, with some curves and patterns in the designs. And last, there’s the Curvilinear style, where the lines start to get real smooth and flowy. These changes happened over time, as people tried new things with their designs.
And if you’re lookin’ at one of these Gothic houses and wonderin’ what makes ’em stand out, well, look for them pointed arches first. You’ll see ‘em on windows and doors, and sometimes on the porch too. Them pointed arches, along with the steep roofs and them fancy trims, will give you a good idea if it’s a Gothic house or not. Sometimes, folks might even add some little details like buttresses on the outside, which help support them big ol’ walls. They sure give the house a look like it’s got some strength, don’t they?
Gothic houses may seem like a thing of the past, but they sure do hold a lotta history. They remind us of the old days, when folks put a lotta effort into creatin’ somethin’ that would stand the test of time. Even though they might look a little spooky to some, them houses are still beautiful in their own way. And if you ever get the chance to see one up close, don’t pass it up. It’s like walkin’ through a bit of history, right there in front of ya.
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Pointed arches
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Steep roofs
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Fancy trims like vergeboards
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Gothic Revival style
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Lancet, Geometrical, and Curvilinear periods
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Buttresses for support
So next time you hear someone talk about Gothic houses, you’ll know what they’re talkin’ about. Whether it’s the old style from hundreds of years ago or the new Gothic Revival houses built more recently, them houses are a real sight to see. They’ve got a lotta history and a whole lotta character, that’s for sure.
Tags:[Gothic houses, Gothic architecture, Gothic Revival, pointed arches, steep roofs, vergeboards, Lancet style, Geometrical style, Curvilinear style, history of Gothic architecture]