Kentucky’s architecture and lifestyle was a lot different in the 1920s and 1930s. People tended to build in the popular multitude of Victorian designs using arched windows and doors, stained glass and castle-like, pointed rooftops. Masonic signs and symbols were even worked into the designs in some homes, as part of a decorative molding, cast, carving or sculpture.
In other cases, the outside of the home may seem squared or bland in comparison to the castle designs, but the inner workings were elaborate. Marble mantles, foyers and parquet wood floors in geometric patterns were not uncommon. Pride and hard work went into each and every brick and peice of wood put in the home. Efforts were made to not only mimic the beauty of the French and show one’s status, but also in order to build mansions that would last for multiple lifetimes. In those days it was customary to pass the home to the children, or another relative, unless one fell upon hard times.
Here are 25 gorgeous Kentucky homes from a different era:
- Decorated stairwells
Hooked on Houses The stairwells, though this one is painted, are usually intricately carved designs from heavy wood.
- Foyer
Rust Belt Preservationist This foyer has its own fireplace so guests could be warmed as soon as they entered the building.
- Mantle in Old Louisville
Hooked on Houses The mantle was often the center of the room. That meant it had to be special in some way from elaborate molding to marble insets.
- A sitting room room
Hooked on Houses A sitting room for entertaining in one of the homes in Old Louisville.
- A beautiful home
Hooked on Houses This home went with the light brick instead of the darker brick many designs of the day chose.
- Similar but different
PSY-OP Shock Studio These buildings are similar, but each has unique Masonic symbols worked into their design.
- Classic red brick
PSY-OP Shock Studio Red brick was often the material of the day when it came to Victorian builders.
- Columns
PSY-OP Shock Studio The columns were also a popular addition to some designs, bringing a bit of Greek into the French designs.
- Elaborate windows and doors
PSY-OP Shock Studio Many of these buildings had elaborate window and door designs. They featured arches, multiple layers and detailed molding.
- Night light
PSY-OP Shock Studio Lamp light brightens the path in this historic neighborhood instead of bulky poles.
- Painted brick
PSY-OP Shock Studio Rest assured this was once a brick color, but some homeowners change the colors so as to stand out.
- A perfect stroll
PSY-OP Shock Studio Walking past these 1920s to 1930s mansions is like stepping back in time, especially as the sun sets.
- Shades of purple
PSY-OP Shock Studio This beautiful home went with lavender, pulling the color from some of the stained glass windows.
- Stained glass
PSY-OP Shock Studio Many of these homes feature beautiful, handmade stained glass windows from the era. It really makes some of the homes pop out.
- Ribbons on brick
PSY-OP Shock Studio The ribbon design around the top of the building is French inspired, as is much of the architecture of the day.
- Red doors
PSY-OP Shock Studio A red door double door stands out of this pale painted brick. The gateway leading into the garden area is intricately carved wood, painted to match.
- Balcony
PSY-OP Shock Studio A balcony was often a popular addition. The wrought iron railing was common place for the safety of the little ones.
- Intricate brick work
PSY-OP Shock Studio Simple designs are far more elaborate when done on brick, and time consuming.
- Classic for its day
PSY-OP Shock Studio This home is a classic of its time. It maintains the crisp white painted columns and trim against the red brick.
- Different angles
PSY-OP Shock Studio The elaborate designs of these homes can change from front, to side, to back. Windows go from square to arched, depending on room designs.
- The classic pineapple
PSY-OP Shock Studio The pineapple was a popular addition to most homes, as were small insets built into the brick, as seen here.
- Like stairs leading up
PSY-OP Shock Studio This unique design appears to be like stairs leading up. It still incorporates the delicate arches over the window, despite its more lined rooftop.
- Another stair step roof
PSY-OP Shock Studio Though not as steep as the previous home’s design, this one incorporates the same pattern while adding columns and a unique patio. It also has a large section of French artistic molding in between the 2nd floor arched windows.
- Window designs
PSY-OP Shock Studio This beautifully designed home features intricate moldings and carvings around each window in the home. It combines arches with squares to achieve a look of pure elegance.
- Pink Palace (side)
PSY-OP Shock Studio This home began its life as a Gentlemen’s Club, and it wasn’t pink.
PSY-OP Shock Studio This is one of the most renowned homes in Old Louisville. Not only for its unique color, but for its design and history. Some of which was covered in the previous article, “Kentucky’s Home to the Largest and Most Haunted Victorian Neighborhood in America”. It features the round rooms, steeple like rooftops and beautiful French molding.
Most of these were taken in Old Louisville, as the entire area was built during those decades. However, there are beautiful Victorian homes scattered all across Kentucky. This just happens to be the largest Victorian neighborhood in the world, making it perfect to capture the essence of the decade. Personally, I love the architecture and ornate stairwells and woodwork inside these architectural works of art. How do you feel about the homes from the 1920s and 1930s?
Hooked on Houses
The stairwells, though this one is painted, are usually intricately carved designs from heavy wood.
Rust Belt Preservationist
This foyer has its own fireplace so guests could be warmed as soon as they entered the building.
The mantle was often the center of the room. That meant it had to be special in some way from elaborate molding to marble insets.
A sitting room for entertaining in one of the homes in Old Louisville.
This home went with the light brick instead of the darker brick many designs of the day chose.
PSY-OP Shock Studio
These buildings are similar, but each has unique Masonic symbols worked into their design.
Red brick was often the material of the day when it came to Victorian builders.
The columns were also a popular addition to some designs, bringing a bit of Greek into the French designs.
Many of these buildings had elaborate window and door designs. They featured arches, multiple layers and detailed molding.
Lamp light brightens the path in this historic neighborhood instead of bulky poles.
Rest assured this was once a brick color, but some homeowners change the colors so as to stand out.
Walking past these 1920s to 1930s mansions is like stepping back in time, especially as the sun sets.
This beautiful home went with lavender, pulling the color from some of the stained glass windows.
Many of these homes feature beautiful, handmade stained glass windows from the era. It really makes some of the homes pop out.
The ribbon design around the top of the building is French inspired, as is much of the architecture of the day.
A red door double door stands out of this pale painted brick. The gateway leading into the garden area is intricately carved wood, painted to match.
A balcony was often a popular addition. The wrought iron railing was common place for the safety of the little ones.
Simple designs are far more elaborate when done on brick, and time consuming.
This home is a classic of its time. It maintains the crisp white painted columns and trim against the red brick.
The elaborate designs of these homes can change from front, to side, to back. Windows go from square to arched, depending on room designs.
The pineapple was a popular addition to most homes, as were small insets built into the brick, as seen here.
This unique design appears to be like stairs leading up. It still incorporates the delicate arches over the window, despite its more lined rooftop.
Though not as steep as the previous home’s design, this one incorporates the same pattern while adding columns and a unique patio. It also has a large section of French artistic molding in between the 2nd floor arched windows.
This beautifully designed home features intricate moldings and carvings around each window in the home. It combines arches with squares to achieve a look of pure elegance.
This home began its life as a Gentlemen’s Club, and it wasn’t pink.
This is one of the most renowned homes in Old Louisville. Not only for its unique color, but for its design and history. Some of which was covered in the previous article, “Kentucky’s Home to the Largest and Most Haunted Victorian Neighborhood in America”. It features the round rooms, steeple like rooftops and beautiful French molding.
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