Del Mar Homes

Seven out of ten Del Mar homes were built between 1950 and 1980, but there were a small number of homes built early in the 20th century. Some of the earliest Mission style homes were built in Del Mar and in San Diego County. The style spread eastward, but most Mission homes are located in the southwestern states. Deeply shaded porches and dark interiors make these homes particularly suited for warmer climates. Celebrating the architecture of Hispanic settlers, Mission style houses feature arched dormers and roof parapets. Some resemble old Spanish mission churches with twin bell towers and elaborate arches. By the 1920s, architects were combining Mission styling with features from the craftsman and Prairie movements. During the 1950's there was a minimalist style, driven by low price in housing. Today most home buyers will no longer settle for just a simple "box", they want amenities and style.

What types of home are popular today?

Contemporary -- Modernist architecture emphasizes function. It attempts to provide for specific needs rather than imitate nature. Characterized by odd-sized and often tall windows, their lack of ornamentation, and their unusual mixtures of wall materials--stone, brick, and wood, for instance. Architects designed Contemporary-style homes (in the Modern family) between 1950 and present day, and created two versions: the flat-roof and gabled types. The latter is often characterized by exposed beams. Both breeds tend to be one-story tall and were designed to incorporate the surrounding landscape into their overall look. The popularity of "rambling" ranch houses was made possible by the country's increasing dependence on the automobile which in turn, created the suburb. Larger lots meant bigger homes so the sprawling house, a.k.a. the Ranch Style, was born. Because land was cheap, home buyers were able to buy larger lots.

French Eclectic -- Some features include:

• Tall, steeply pitched, hipped roof without dominant front-facing cross gable
• Brick, stone, or stucco walls, sometimes with half-timbering
• Eaves commonly flared outward at roof-wall junction

The French style displays great variety in form and detailing, but is united by the characteristic style of roof. Because they both share a common Medieval English tradition, both French Eclectic houses and Tudor Revivals use half-timbering with a variety of different wall materials, as well as roofs of flat tile, slate, stone or thatch. As a result, the two styles are often confused. To tell the difference, one only has to look for the telltale dominant front-facing cross gables; if it's missing, it's a French Eclectic.

Neoclassical--The Neoclassical style remained popular through the 1950s and even today in multi-level mansions. Its identifying Ionic or Corinthian columned porches often extend the full height of the house. Also typical: symmetrical facades, elaborate, decorative designs above and around doorways, and roof-line balustrades (low parapet walls).
Ranch House Identifying features:

Tudor--This architecture was popular in the 1920s and 1930s and continues to be a mainstay in the best neighborhoods in California. The defining characteristics are half-timbering on bay windows and upper floors, and facades that are dominated by one or more steeply pitched cross gables. Patterned brick or stone walls are common, as are rounded doorways, multi paned casement windows, and large stone chimneys.