Tudor homes originated in England between 1500 and 1575. This is known as the Tudor period. During this time, England faced a major architectural transformation, switching between the Gothic and Tudor styles; this meant homes started to digress away from the church-type aesthetic of the Gothic style. The Tudor style is a very detailed style of architecture that often features decorative chimneys. Prior to this style, homes typically did not have chimneys; however, because people began using coal during this time period, the chimney was created.
The Tudor Revival is a time period during the 1920s and 1930s when Tudor began to grow in popularity in the United States. These detailed homes were often built because people began to acquire money through the steel and lumber industries. Homes built during the Tudor Revival period often symbolized wealth and prosperity. They were most often built in cooler climate areas of the United States because Tudor homes often put a heavy focus on indoor living such as fireplaces.
Characteristics of Tudor homes most notably include large, decorative chimneys, decorative entryways and multiple roof peaks with very steep roof lines. Additionally these homes usually have multipaned windows grouped together in twos, threes or fours. Sometimes the windows are in the shape of a diamond. Half-timber framing, or exposed wood, is also a prominent feature of Tudor homes. These homes are usually constructed out of stucco, brick or slate.
Famous historic Tudor homes include the Cowdray House and the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House. The Cowdray House is located in West Sussex, England. The home was once visited by both Queen Elizabeth I and King Henry VIII. The Cowdray House mostly consists of ruins as it was damaged by a fire in 1793, but is still a museum for people to enjoy. The Edsel and Eleanor Ford House, located in Southeast Michigan, features 60 rooms and was designed by architect Albert Kahn in 1926. The home, also now a museum, was owned by the president of Ford Motor Company.