Wednesday, April 13, 2011

VICTORIAN PORCH LATTICE WORK

DOUBLE PORCH  -- LATTICE WORK 


LATTICE:  A lattice or lattice work is a criss-crossed or interlaced arrangement of laths or pattern made by such an arrangement. Wiki Definition.

Today, lattice can be bought at such stores as Lowes or Home Depot. Their lattice is thin pieces of wood that bend easily. It is not stout construction like the historic lattice you see on the porch above


This porch belongs to a home in Richmond, Kentucky that was built in the late eighteen hundreds or early nineteen hundreds. The porch is interesting from the aspect it is a double decker. Both have artistically applied lattice. 
   

DOUBLE PORCH -- CLOSE UP

Below are a couple of lattice resources that have been taken from the Old House Journal. This journal has long been a favorite of mine and I highly recommend it for folks with older homes.


When I say older,  I am saying those fifty years old or older. At one time, and probably still is the rule of thumb by the National Trust of Historic Preservation, is that houses fifty years old or older can be considered for historic designation which opens new avenues. 


A great newsletter to receive on vernacular older structures is the Vernacular Architecture Forum.

Overall,  I think lattice and/or gingerbread can be adopted and applied on either old or new houses if done artistically.  If interested in historic housing check out the resources above and for trim-work see below. 

RESOURCES: 

Restoring Porch Lattice Work, Old House Journal, June 1978

18 comments:

  1. I never grow tired of Victorian bric-a-brac. Or architecture for that matter. My philosophy is that "it doesn't have to be ugly" with regard to the newer construction. Dianne

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  2. I'm nuts about anything Victorian, just love history. Reminded me of tassles.

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  3. I love Victorian design. My small town has mostly Federal style buildings in it, with only two Victorian type houses in the county.

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  4. That's a wonderful old porch. I think lattice work is a beautiful addition to a porch.

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  5. You can see a mixture of the old with the new on this house. The newer windows, storm door and air conditioner and the beautiful, beautiful old lattice on the double porches. I love double porches and the woodwork is gorgeous!

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  6. lattice and fret-work can really put the finishing touches to a house which would be just a plain old brick/weatherboard without character :)

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  7. I just love all the things you photograph. I have been doing a little bit also but not posted on my blog with any except a few barns. I will now as I love your blog. Wish I could drive around with you. My husband drives to fast and never stops in time to see quaint things or old things. :)

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  8. An interesting old house. It must be very large. I see there are 4 mailboxes. Lattice work like this doesn't seem to have been too popular here, but the spindlework railing is quite common. Good links!

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  9. What a beauty! I love the gingerbread work but having to maintain it would be a nightmare -- an expensive nightmare.

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  10. Dianne -- another word for gingerbread and jig-saw trim and that is the term you use -- bric-a-brac -- an often used word in the Midwest. I am with you -- new construction does not need to be ugly. -- barbara

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  11. Carole Anne -- tassels were certainly a part of some Victorian decors. This particular house, although large, had a few Victorian elements added to the house but overall it was rather plain. Thanks for stopping by -- barbara

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  12. Farnchick -- If I remember right, your county was one of those early settlements in KY. Perhaps that is why you have so many Federal houses. I do like the informal federal look with its plain lines. thanks for the comment -- barbara

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  13. Mama-Bug -- lattice when it is done right is terrific -- barbara

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  14. Janet -- As you know -- an old house, over time, can take on or off elements that change the look of the house. Thankfully, the owners of this house have left the beautifully detailed lattice. -- barbara

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  15. Jayne -- Early housing in this country has wonderful detail work in both their exteriors and interiors. But not all historic houses had bric-a-brac - -this is associated with the Victorian style. Such early types such as Georgian, Federal, and Greek Revival did not have gingerbread but had great details nonetheless. Some houses found in the Victorian era have a mishmash of many of the early types plus gingerbread. -- barbara

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  16. Diane -- Love to see some of the old relic houses in your area. Also -- the barns in the area. If you drive -- just jump in the car and take a short spin around your area. -- barbara

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  17. Sheri -- When I was younger -- my friends and I use to make candlesticks out of old porch spindles. Yes, I believe the house was a rental because of the four mailboxes. -- barbara

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  18. Vicki -- Apparently the owners felt it important to maintain the lattice work as it was in good to very good shape. -- barbara

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