The Difference Between Mission Revival and Mediterranean Revival Homes

Posted by Radmin on June 15th, 2019

When looking at homes for sale on the intercoastal waterway in Palm Beach, you might notice that most of them look alike. Despite their similarities, you may often hear different descriptions like "Mission Revival" and "Mediterranean Revival." At first glance, these styles can be pretty hard to tell apart. Read on to learn which is which.

Mission Revival

This design movement started in the late 19th century. Many changes were taking place during this time, in terms of social and industrial aspects. To cope with these events, the people looked to the past for comfort and inspiration. This led to the popularity of design comebacks across the world.

English architects created structures in a "Tudor Revival" style that were reminiscent of the medieval period. The French renaissance served as the inspiration for design professionals in other parts of Europe and North America. In those locations, elaborately decorated homes that looked like chateaus or castles popped up.

Californians took a similar route and incorporated Spanish elements into local structures. However, the locals didn't refer to palaces and or castles for ideas. Rather, they looked to the old churches that the Spanish priests had built and left behind. In the colonial period, these churches were called "missions," hence the term "Mission Revival."

These homes have clean and sleek lines. Their outer walls are plain and either covered in stone or stucco. Red tiles are the choice of material for the shallow roofs that are often extended. Other details include arched windows, parapet walls, columns, and bell tower-like structures. The simple and restrained exterior of a home in this style contrasts with its interiors, which usually feature colored clay tiles.

Mediterranean Revival

This ornate and eclectic style rose to popularity in the following century. A collective desire for leisure and wealth was set off by the roaring '20s. This led to the creation of homes and other structures that captured the look and feel of a Mediterranean estate. This explains why many of the intercoastal homes for sale in Palm Beach resemble resorts in Southern Europe.

Similar to Mission Revival, this style has Spanish influences. This can be seen in the low-pitched, red tile roofs, and solid stucco walls. Its lines are clean, crisp, and simple. But it also borrows ornate elements from French, Moroccan, and Italian architecture.

Houses under this category usually have double windows and tall doors. These French details create the perfect balance of rustic and classic. The use of multicolored and differently patterned tiles can be traced to Morocco and its Islamic faith. Meanwhile, Italian architecture lends its elaborately decorated balustrades to stairways and balconies. The symmetrical façade of Mediterranean Revival homes point to Italian technique as well.

Now that you've learned the difference between the two, it'll be easier to identify which is which. Test your newfound knowledge by checking out homes for sale on the intercoastal waterway in Palm Beach today.