The style’s family tree can be traced back to medieval Holland, Germany, France and Indonesia. In America, though, it’s a design seldom found in the stylistic melting pot of most neighborhoods. With more of our clients exotically traversing the globe, that seems to be changing. We’re seeing a greater number of customers with a desire to go Dutch.
The house pictured above was a design we did in Charlotte, North Carolina about twenty years ago. These particular clients had no distinct look in mind for their new home. Meanwhile, we had become increasingly interested in introducing the provincial Cape Dutch dialect into our architectural speech. We showed these clients some examples of Cape Dutch houses and they were immediately drawn to it. This was not surprising. I’ve always found it a friendly, approachable style. The whimsical baroque gables, bathed in white icing, and miniature dark windows with animated shutters, all result in a romantically convivial facade. Bobby jokes that Cape Dutch homes look to him like sweet, newborn chicks with oversize heads and wee dark eyes.
Most of our more recent attempts at speaking this language have been in Southern coastal areas. Since its birthplace is South Africa, it’s a seemingly natural fit for sun-drenched settings. So, if you’re altogether unfamiliar with this bucolic style, give it a look. It’s a veritable Dutch treat.
Greg Tankersley for McAlpine Tankersley
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I as well have always found it very friendly and approachable, yet I do not find many clients who feel the same. Completely agree here that its style is a wonderful fit in out southern atmosphere. Much like some of the earlier Mizner(et. al) mission stuff in SoFla, it allows for a nice regulation of light in the sun bathed climates. Great work MTA!!
Thanks for the compliment!
I am trying to BUY the small Brown Book (4″ X 5 1/2″) FINDING HOME. Can someone please respond to my e-mail on how to but these books. I would like them for Xmas presents…thankyou
Barbara: The book you were referencing was a self-published little volume we made with photos of our work and Bobby’s writings. It was created for client gifting and marketing. Unfortunately, we don’t have anymore on hand. We’ve looked into reprinting it but, with our other books being actively printed, we haven’t done anything on that front. Sorry.
Thankyou, I have ordered The Home Within Us, however the small book was so Special. Barbara
Love it! See it as the inspiration at Alys Beach as well..gorgeous
Truly spectacular! But I would expect nothing less! Anything you do is my Favorite thing! Thanks for this fabulous post!! Now I definitely want to go Dutch! It’s gorgeous! And yes…now I see it in so many of the new developments in Florida, etc….LOVE it!
Carolyn: Thanks for the kind words. So glad you enjoyed our post.
I live in a small neighborhood in Huntington, WV, that is of this design. It is called Mortimer Place. It is on the National Historical Registry. The houses are beautiful, but some unfortunately have not been well cared for over the years. They were built between 1914 and the mid 1920’s.