Expert: Rikki Nyman - 12/3/2009

Question
QUESTION: I recently purchased a waterfront summer home in the Kawartha Lakes district of Ontario, Canada built in 1935 by an American family. It appears to be a mix of minimal traditional and tudor revival, but despite and an exhaustive search I have not been able to find anything quite like it.

The 2nd floor seems to protrude slightly and is covered in veritical steel siding - I don't know if it is original or what is underneath. The siding is in good shape so I don't want to remove it at this point. Could it possibly be half timber underneath or have had shingle siding when originally built? - I have not had the opportunity to check local archives yet. The wrap around porch is currently sided in board and batton.

I would like to know how to furnish the house appropriate to the period. I am thinking arts & crafts, art deco (wood & leather) or aidriondack rustic furniture - or a mix?

Any help you could give would be appreciated. I hope the photos work. Thanks, Adam

ANSWER: Adam -

More pictures to confirm my visual from your description would be a big help. The 2nd floor sounds as though it is cantilevered, which was typical of the Garrison-style Colonial. The roof pitch and massing lead me to believe that's likely.

The steel siding is unusual. Is that a typical siding in that neck of the woods? I would expect to see board and batten under it, unless it's original. More research needed on that one.

As for furnishing, summer cottages were typically much less "decorated" than regular homes. Old furniture would have been used (A&C style would be great), casual Adirondack-style, wicker, and possibly rattan. (Rattan was to the 30s, what wicker was to the A&C period.) Rustic is the keyword. Look for vintage blankets (like Pendletons or Hudson's Bay), hard-wearing wool, cotton, and linen fabrics in coarser weaves and in plaids or geometrics. Wrought iron and copper accessories were popular at the time. If you find Deco picture frames or other small items, they would be cool, but keep in mind that when your house was built Deco was high design ... most people still hewed to the tried and traditional.

It's a great opportunity to simplify your life and surround yourself with low-maintenance, eclectic things that you love and use.

Best regards,
Rikki Nyman
Editor, www.antiquehomestyle.com


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I am guessing the pictures did not come through. I will try again. The house does not look like the garrison colonials I have seen on the net.

Answer
Adam -

I can see one image of the entry (?) inside and the woodwork has left me wanting to see more. It's gorgeous.  Can you please email images to we_care@antiquehomestyle.com?  Or if you have them stored someplace like Flickr or Photobucket, that would work too.

I see a definite Craftsman asethetic in the stair rail, but the doors are traditional. Interpreted styles that pulled from several different parent styles were especially common from the mid-20s to the late 1930s.  You mentioned Tudor, so would love to see what elements point you in that direction.

Best,
Rikki
www.antiquehomestyle.com