31. The French Eclectic

This appealing house appears in different places in Europe using one of the following titles; FRENCH ECLECTIC / NORMAN COTTAGE / SCOTTISH MANOR. While not common, the style appears in unexpected places in Canadian cities. I know of 3 examples in Kitchener-Waterloo as well as another in nearby Guelph. All of the homes are distinct in their decorations. All of them are well-kept and attractive.

What to look for (clues)

• The entranceway is into a prominent, round, central tower.This is frequently topped by a fairly high, conical roof.

• There are house sections on either side of the tower, one of which usually goes off at an angle.

• Outside finishes are commonly stone, brick or stucco (sometimes with a Tudor-style timbering).

• Multiple, vertical, English-styled windows are frequently used.

• Small decorative touches often lean towards a certain culture. The sample that's closest to my home has fleur-de-lys carved into the shutters.

• 
  

Where to find it

So far, all of my examples have been in urban settings. The particular home on display is located in Cowansville, Quebec. The owners came out to their car as I was taking the picture. We chatted and they were delighted to learn more about the style of their special home. They apologized that they didn't have time to show my wife and I through their house. This is the typical friendly reaction that I receive from most home owners.