Are high ceilings a good idea for a home?
High ceilings are great for regulation because any hot air trapped in the house will rise. And the further the air rises, the cooler the home will be. This made surviving the summer heat much easier since nobody had access to air conditioning or fans.
Why are porch ceilings painted blue in New Orleans?
Why are porch ceilings painted blue in New Orleans and the South? Although they are making their way across the U.S., a blue porch ceiling is still most common in New Orleans and across the South. Since this tradition originated in the South, it makes sense that it is still most prevalent there.
Why is there no high-rise in New Orleans?
For much of its history, New Orleans' skyline consisted of only low-and mid-rise structures. The soft local soils are susceptible to subsidence, and there was doubt about the feasibility of constructing large high-rises in such an environment.
What is the architecture of New Orleans known for?
Buildings and architecture of New Orleans. The buildings and architecture of New Orleans are reflective of its history and multicultural heritage, from Creole cottages to historic mansions on St. Charles Avenue, from the balconies of the French Quarter to an Egyptian Revival U.S. Customs building and a rare example of a Moorish revival church.
Why do homes in New Orleans have high ceilings?
As Santi suggested, historic New Orleans houses were designed with weather in mind. High ceilings, windows aligned to catch breezes, covered porches and galleries, window shutters – all kept air circulating and direct sun off interior rooms, says Ann Masson.
Why did ceilings used to be so high?
In those days, most houses were utilitarian structures and homebuilders knew that lower ceilings meant less space to heat in winter and, therefore, less wood chopping to fit into a day already bursting with physical activity. Greater affluence afforded ceilings with greater height. The same holds true today.
Why do houses in New Orleans have 2 front doors?
The tour guide described the two sets of double doors immediately behind the staircase as the “brise” (French for breeze, as the Creole would have spoken French). These doors were not for use by people. They were only to let the breeze in.
Why do homes in New Orleans have courtyards?
In the late 1700s, New Orleans suffered two fires resulting in building codes which enforced the use of brick, slate and tile, and hefty property taxes forcing residents to rebuild on smaller plots of land. The smaller structures left plots of land between dependencies creating what we now call courtyards.
Why did they make ceilings so high in old houses?
Tall ceilings were introduced in old homes to ventilate hot air without air-conditioning. When you have an HVAC unit in the home, you will need to pay extra to cool the added space of the home. The problems extend to the winter seasons as well, with the hot air rising above into the tall ceilings.
Why do old houses have 12 foot ceilings?
Because it was (sometimes) more efficient. In warmer climates, with no A/C systems, a high ceiling allowed hot air to rise, leaving a (slightly) colder one at the people level. It was specially useful for the last story of the buildings to provide insulation from the heat radiating from the ceilings.
What is New Orleans style called?
The Creole style, while often thought of as a “French Colonial” style, in fact is an architectural style developed in New Orleans.
What are New Orleans balconies called?
A gallery is larger than a balcony. Most galleries overhang the width of the sidewalk and are supported by posts or columns. The French Quarter has a wide overhang of galleries.
What is a shotgun house in New Orleans?
shotgun house, narrow house prevalent in African American communities in New Orleans and other areas of the southern United States, although the term has come to be used for such houses regardless of location. Shotgun houses generally consist of a gabled front porch and two or more rooms laid out in a straight line.
What do they call porches in New Orleans?
galleriesThere were always balconies above—still known as 'galleries' in New Orleans. 1954 Armstrong Satchmo 160 LA, The place we lived in had two porches . . but we called them “galleries,” as the word “porch” was unheard of to us then.
Why do houses in New Orleans have shutters?
No matter where you live in New Orleans, you've likely noticed that most of the homes in your neighborhood have exterior shutters. They're charming architectural details that have framed windows for centuries to protect residents from flying debris during a storm and to shade them from the hot summer sun.
In which part of New Orleans is the Wedding Cake House located?
“The Wedding Cake House” is located at 5809 St. Charles Avenue near Eleonore street in the Rosa Park subdivision. For more information on New Orleans Car Tours, click HERE.
Why do old houses have low ceilings?
Homes built before the advent of efficient heating systems and proper insulation often used fireplaces both as a source of heat and a place to cook. Lower ceilings and smaller rooms were much easier to heat with fireplaces, therefore many period farmhouses were built with a seven-foot or so ceiling height.
Why did Victorian homes have high ceilings?
The high ceilings of Victorian properties, like most design features, were another way to display wealth to visitors. Creating a spacious environment, high ceilings provided a stark contrast to the low-ceiling cottages and houses that were associated with the more modest abodes.
Why did homes in the past have ventilators and high ceilings?
Ventilators are provided near ceilings in the rooms of our houses because the air we breathe out is warm and rises out of the room through the ventilators. Cool fresh air rushes into the room through the doors and windows.
Why were doorways so low in England?
This style of home is quite popular in the UK. Many of the townhomes, or terraced buildings as they're known there, were built in the 19th and 20th centuries. It was easier to make sure such homes had enough structural integrity, in part, by having smaller-than-expected doors.
How tall is a ceiling?
As we all learned in science class heat rises, so it is important to give the heat a place to go. Ceilings average 10-16 feet tall, and I have to admit, after living in a home with a 12 foot high ceiling for so long, I feel a little uncomfortable in a standard 8 foot tall room. Oh well, such is life! Furnishings.
What did the New Orleans item say about the heat?
They claimed that the best thing a woman could do battle the heat was to prepare foods that would not necessitate heating up the coal burning stove.
Why are covered porches important?
Covered porches are important because they not only shade the folks sitting outside, but they also shade the air coming into the home through doors and windows.
Why was furniture covered in linen?
Richly upholstered furniture was covered in light linen or cotton cloths, for two important reasons. On one hand residents wanted to protect their fancy furniture from sweaty bodies and on the other, to keep people a little more comfortable on lighter fabrics.
Why are French doors called French doors?
In the French Quarter, many of these windows are referred to as French Doors because they open in or out on side hinges, many cases onto a balcony or gallery. In the Garden District you may notice that there are more windows that are slid open from the bottom. These windows are called single hung windows.
What is the roof above the first floor called?
Up above the first floor, whether they are known as balconies (second or third story platform supported with brackets) or galleries (second or third story platform supported by posts), these outdoor living spaces were widely used by the families to enjoy while trying to catch a breeze. These spaces were used for meals, conversation and even sleeping. In some cases these balconies and galleries even have a roof above to provide shade and protect from the rain.
How did southern architects use home design to help residents feel cooler?
As it turns out , there are many different ways that southern architects used home design to help residents feel cooler. Outdoor spaces. In New Orleans many colonial and antebellum homes make use of outdoor space. This is a no brainer.
What color are porch ceilings in Louisiana?
Driving down country roads and through historic districts in the South, you may have noticed a characteristic feature: blue porch ceilings. MLM Incorporated loves working on historic renovations, celebrating this type of tradition in southern Louisiana. Painting porch ceilings blue has a surprisingly historical background that has migrated steadily north and west.
Why is the ceiling blue?
Finally, the blue color was also thought to trick wasps, mosquitos, and other insects into thinking the ceiling was the sky. This had the effect (hopefully!) of discouraging them from congregating around seating areas.
What is the tradition of a blue porch ceiling?
Even for families who do not know the history of haint blue (and a blue porch ceiling in general), tradition is strong in the South. Many people grew up in houses with a blue porch ceiling and then went on to paint the ceilings of their own porches blue.
Why do people paint their porch ceilings blue?
Some people enjoy the soft colors of nature, while others do it because it reminds them of the houses of their childhoods.
What is MLM in Louisiana?
Whether you are looking to paint a blue porch ceiling or considering a total overhaul, MLM Incorporated is passionate about preserving the heritage and architectural beauty of historic homes in Louisiana. We specialize in historic renovations and can help you bring your historic house back to life.
Why paint a porch?
Other homeowners felt that the paint color helped to extend the last light of day, making the porch feel bright even once the sun had begun to set.
Where are blue porch ceilings found?
Since this tradition originated in the South, it makes sense that it is still most prevalent there. However, blue porch ceilings can be found in the Northwest and adorning traditional Victorian and Colonial homes on ...
Why do houses have high ceilings?
The rooms typically have high ceilings which pull the heat off the floor, which helps with cooling. The early settlers also figured out raising the houses off the ground helped with dampness along with windows, which aids even more with airflow. It is only when urban development meant putting as many homes on narrow lots; the windows became less about airflow than about socializing with neighbors.
What is the architecture of New Orleans?
New Orleans and architecture go together like beans and rice. The Big Easy is a city with a strong identity to its buildings and architecture. New Orleans has many types of architecture that span over 300 years. From the humble Creole Cottage to the Neoclassical Greek mansions of the Garden Dist.
Why is New Orleans the first shotgun city in the world?
New Orleans can have this honor because of a few different factors, ranging from simple economics to the spirit of preservation post-Katrina. When many cities were bulldozing these houses, New Orleans preserved them. The house which had become associated with poverty are now palatial homes. The simple shotgun house shelters both the working poor and the well-heeled alike here in New Orleans.
What are the pros and cons of shotgun houses?
The biggest pro? Airflow! The raised floors, high ceilings, combined with doors and windows to allow for modest comfort. The big con? Privacy! The early Creoles did not have the same ideas about privacy as we do today. Walking through a bedroom with your dinner to go to the front parlor would be normal. This lack of privacy would become one reason shotguns fell out of favor, especially for growing families.
What type of home allowed for so much style and ornamentation, both inside and outside?
They would typically nicely appoint shotgun homes with crown moldings, brackets, gables, and even stained glass dormer windows. This simple type of home allowed for so much style and ornamentation, both inside and outside.
Why did the kitchen have its own chimney?
The kitchen normally had its own chimney to help remove heat and smoke.
Why did the shotgun fall out of favor?
The modern shotgun fell out of favor for not just a lack of privacy but for also being associated with poverty. Many cities bulldozed shotguns in the name of “progress” and “urban renewal” in the1960’s and 1970s with historic homes being hauled away. The spirit of Preservation grew post-Katrina, with many shotguns being rehabbed.
What are the buildings and architecture of New Orleans?
The buildings and architecture of New Orleans are reflective of its history and multicultural heritage, from Creole cottages to historic mansions on St. Charles Avenue, from the balconies of the French Quarter to an Egyptian Revival U.S. Customs building and a rare example of a Moorish revival church.
What did the Spanish do to New Orleans?
Following the two great fires of New Orleans in the late 18th century, Spanish administrators enforced strict building codes, requiring strong brick construction and thick fire proof walls between adjoining buildings to avoid another city fire and to resist hurricanes but the Spanish did not directly influence much of the Quarter's architecture. Spanish influence came indirectly in the form of Creole style, a mixture of French and Spanish architecture with some elements from the Caribbean .
What is a Creole townhouse?
Creole townhouses are perhaps the most iconic pieces of architecture in the city of New Orleans, comprising a large portion of the French Quarter and the neighboring Faubourg Marigny. Creole townhouses were built after the Great New Orleans Fire (1788), until the mid-19th century. The prior wooden buildings were replaced ...
What is the last example of French colonial architecture?
The Ursuline Convent (1745–1752) is the last intact example of French colonial architecture. Of the structures built during the French or Spanish colonial eras, only some 25 survive to this day (including the Cabildo and the Presbytère ), in a mixture of colonial Spanish and neo-classical styles.
When was the French Quarter built?
Two-thirds of the French Quarter structures date from the first half of the 19th century, the most prolific decade being the 1820s, when the city was growing at an amazing rate. Records show that not a single Spanish architect was operating in the city by that time; only French and American were, the latter gradually replacing the former as Creole style was being replaced by Greek revival architecture in the 1830s and 1840s.
Where are Creole cottages located?
Creole cottage. Main article: Creole architecture in the United States. Creole cottages are scattered throughout the city of New Orleans, with most being built between 1790 and 1850. The majority of these cottages are found in the French Quarter, the surrounding areas of Faubourg Marigny, the Bywater, and Esplanade Ridge.
Which city has the largest collection of antebellum architecture?
As a result, New Orleans retains the largest collection of surviving antebellum architecture . St. Charles Avenue is also home to Loyola University New Orleans and Tulane University, both campuses of which sit across the street from Audubon Park .
