Today Just

Today Just

Today's Bungalow More Popular Than Ever

In today’s economy, many homeowners want less maintenance and lower utility bills. They want to live eco-friendly, and prefer not to climb a lot of stairs. Yet none of them want to sacrifice comfort, and on top of that, you have got to give them some style.

 In saunters the Bungalow. Ever so cool with its wide brimmed porch, low pitched roof, intimate single story floor plan, classic French doors and a house full of interior design features that leave everyone praising the gifts of yesteryear.

 Just what is this Bungalow anyway, you ask? The reference books generally describe it as “A small house with a single story” – but that’s such an unassuming description for a home with so much more to offer. In fact, what the Bungalow lacks in size, it screams for in character. What it offers in simplicity, it matches in artistry. Typically weighing in at less than 2000 square feet and averaging just 32 feet wide, the Bungalow is surely one of America’s most interesting home designs.

 Making its debut during the early 1900s, the Bungalow was widely popular throughout North America. Almost everyone wanted one. Both appealing and affordable, it was the Bungalow that offered many Americans their Dream – a chance to own a home. For almost 30 years, the Bungalow reigned as an American favorite house style.

 Small and Simple, but By No Means Ordinary

 Ample porches were the Bungalow’s hallmark, big enough to comfortably seat large rocking chairs where one would relax and sample the fresh summer breeze, take in the radio broadcasts of the National Pastime, catch up on the neighborhood gossip and enjoy the kids at play. Bungalows were also popular because they looked so inviting. Designed for comfort with a degree of hominess, their large windows and streamlined design made them easy on the eye. The bungalow was quite elegant in its simplicity, and built to stand the test of time.  

 And stand it did. After all these years, the Bungalow still has its character and charm. With affordability and practicality at the top of homebuyers’ minds, the Bungalow is more popular than ever – as timeless today as it was during its turn-of-the-century hey day. Historically inspired by the early 20th century Arts & Crafts movement, today’s Craftsman Bungalows, with their unpretentious good looks and cozy interiors, still reign as American classics. Today’s version might be hipper with upgraded features and state-of-the-art amenities, but just as classy and memorable as the circa 1920’s version. These days, the Bungalow remains more than a house style; it’s a way of life.

 Just drive through some of Atlanta’s own increasingly popular Intown neighborhoods like Reynoldstown, Cabbagetown, Kirkwood, Oakhurst or Candler Park. You’ll find the Bungalow reigns King, littering the landscape in both subdued and bold color, variations aplenty of the original classic. Remodeled, rehabbed and new construction replicas commingle alongside some of the still virgin early century models. Pay close attention, and you’ll notice that many of these homes are purposely set close to the sidewalk to encourage a friendly, neighborly, inviting community.  

Most of these Intown Bungalows are housed on lots which tend to be smaller than their suburban brethren. But with its basic rectangular box shape, the Bungalow is a natural solution for these lots. Homeowners of Intown infill houses can give themselves an extra pat on the back for selecting a home that was built without adding to sprawl, or violating virgin land or forests. It is no surprise that infill houses are awarded extra points by ‘green’ certification programs for these same reasons.

 Authentic or Faux – Does Your Bungalow Cut the Mustard?

 In true Bungalows, the living rooms are entered directly from the front door. There are no extra hallways or foyers taking up empty space. In a typical, traditional bungalow, the dining, cooking and sleeping areas are clustered around a central living area where a fireplace is the focal point. This focal meeting spot makes a perfect hub for bringing families together.

 With most living spaces on one floor and with no stairs to climb, Bungalows are high on comfort. This also gives them a legitimate claim on providing a safer living environment. Not only are there no stairs to fall up or down, but in a fire, you can more easily get out of the door or jump out of a window. As one-story homes, they are easier to navigate and easier to clean.

 Washrooms Clean Up With Style

 While the Bungalow took on many variations over the years, it was the baths that separated the pretenders from the real thing. Bungalow baths have always reflected the latest trends and highest standards of efficiency for their time, even in their infant stage. Along with the Bungalow came a number of bath design features that homeowners still admire and relish. One of those was the introduction of the water closet or ‘W.C.’ as it was called. This was the name given to a toilet that was placed in its own tiny room with a window. Today, just about all upscale homes come with a separate water closet.

 It was customary to locate a full sized Bungalow bathroom between two bedrooms along a hallway that opened up into the living room. Today we call those – some with slight modifications – Jack-and-Jill baths.

 First introduced in the late 1800’s, the clawfoot tub quickly found its way into the Bungalow bath. Every Bungalow homeowner just had to have one. Still a sought after showpiece, today’s most magnificent Bungalows have at least one of the ever popular clawfoots. This single piece brings style, relaxation and a sense of history to a home more than any other piece of bath furniture. It is always a treat to find that a builder has reinterpreted this classic joy and incorporated it into a new home’s bath design.

 Another piece of bath art found in vintage Bungalows, which sadly many builders trim out of their budgets today, is the medicine cabinet. You could find this staple in nearly all of the early century Bungalows. The fancy ones were trimmed out with wood, painted and given a Craftsman look. These pieces were recessed into the wall cavity with the cabinet door flush to the wall, giving the bathroom an unintended piece of wall art.

 We’re not done yet. The Bungalow bath would not be complete without a pedestal sink. Perfect for a powder room or a full bath, count on the pedestal sink to lend some richness and history to the Bungalow washroom. It was a coveted feature in turn-of-the-century Bungalows and remains a sought after upgrade in contemporary Bungalows as well. Homeowners relish it – especially in Southern cultures.

 In more extensive and expensive Bungalow baths, vertical beadboard was often used as decorative wainscoting. Today, beadboard molding is considered an elegant upgrade. And don’t forget the classic hexagon floor and subway wall tile. Sleek looking and easy to clean, this timeless look never disappointed as an elegant and aesthetic lavatory design.

 If you think Bungalow bathrooms are not the most exciting room in this type of house, perhaps this piece will help you reconsider. If you own a Bungalow and your bathroom has ventured away from its original vintage style, oh what fun to restore it back to its earlier grandeur. Just be careful about inviting company over. Once they go in, you might have a hard time peeling them out of a room that is sure to capture their respect and admiration.

 It is no wonder the Bungalow is enjoying renewed popularity, especially throughout Intown neighborhoods, where it has emerged as the cool, chic home of choice. Poised to provide many years of character, comfort and charm, the Bungalow does not disappoint those lucky enough to claim one of them as their own. If you find one, grab it, lend it your personality and watch it stand the test of time.

 

About the Author

Cheryl Dukes is founder of red ladder homes, a ‘green’ residential developer in Atlanta. (www.redladderproperties.com; myredladderhome@aol.com)

I got braces today, but they didn't ask me what color, there's not even a color there its like just grey?

So i got them today but only on the top not the bottom yet
but theres no color... might it be cuz im 18 and old???

It doesn't matter how old you are when you get them. I got braces 10 days ago and I don't have colors. Not everyone can get them, it depends on your orthodontist and what kind of braces you get.

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