French Country Style home in Fairmount Hills

Sitting in the middle of the vineyard, I reach for my glass of excellent local Oregon Pinot Noir. Far out in the country side, I relish the quiet solitude of the landscape…Reaching for the Brie cheese, I turn to my husband and ask for the gray poupon…well..not really, but you get the image I am going for.

I am biased. In my ongoing series about architecture, I have to admit that French Country Styles are my favorite.

I always imagine them surrounded by vineyards, and a glass of good wine waiting at home to relax at the end of the day.

French Country Style home in Fairmount Hills

Here in Salem, Oregon we have a few examples of French Country Styles. There is the French Normandy Architecture which is similar to the French Provincial except that it has a rounded tower as part of the architecture. French Country styles tend to be more expensive homes due to the extensive masonry that is often used.
You can see the impacts of French Country style on a multitude of homes, ranging from homes built in the early 1900′s to new construction today. It is a very popular influence.

The hipped roof is a very distinguishing features.

They also have flared eaves, extensive brick, stone, or stucco exteriors.

They typically have dormers and multi-paned windows as well.

If it is inspired by French Normandy then it may have half-timbering, like you would see with a tutor home, a rounded tower usually centrally located by the entryway, and an arched doorway.

French Country Style home in Chinook Estates

While you can see elements of French County in many homes, you will find most examples located in South Salem neighborhoods such as Chinook Estates, Fairmount Hills, Creekside Estates, and Illahe Hills.

For more information about these neighborhoods or French Country homes available for sale, please feel free to call or email me.

(c) Copyright, 2008. Melina Tomson, All Rights Reserved. DO NOT COPY this without express written permission from the author.

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