The Soul of a House
Your home isn’t just a place—it’s a reflection of your spirit.
The right house doesn’t just look good. It feels right. It fits your rhythms, your values, and your dreams. This isn’t about what’s trendy on Instagram. It’s about finding the style that truly feels like home to you.
In The Soul of a House, we explore 12 unique home styles, with its own architecture, personality, and mood. Whether you’re a sunrise chaser, a tradition keeper, or a barefoot dreamer, there’s a style here that speaks your language.
Not sure which one fits you? Take the Design Personality Quiz
Desert & Arid Styles
Where Light Meets Stillness
Rooted in the sun, stone, and silence, these styles reflect clarity, intention, and the art of living simply.
#1. Contemporary Desert
Inspired by the desert landscapes of the Southwestern U.S., this style reflects modern minimalist principles while embracing natural materials and seamless indoor-outdoor living. Rooted in Desert Modernism, it harmonizes with its surroundings, blending architecture with the beauty of the desert.
Key Features:
Flat roofs, clerestory windows, and deep overhangs
Natural materials like stucco, sandstone, steel, and wood
Indoor-outdoor flow with courtyards, pools, and native plants
Expansive glass walls and floor-to-ceiling windows that blur the line between indoors and outdoors
You Might Be a Sun-Seeker if…
You find peace in wide, open spaces where light shifts slowly and the air feels still. Clean lines, natural textures, and intentional design speak to your sense of calm.
Fun Fact: Desert Modernism first flourished in Palm Springs in the 1950s, where architects designed homes to suit the dry heat and endless sunshine.
#2. Adobe/Pueblo
Rooted in Indigenous and Spanish colonial traditions, these homes are among the oldest architectural forms in the American Southwest. Built to harmonize with the land, their thick earthen walls keep interiors cool in the heat and warm in the cold. Soft edges, rounded corners, and handcrafted details give them a quiet, grounded beauty. Every curve, beam and shadow feels intentional, evoking a sense of temelessness and connection to space.
Key Features:
Thick adobe or stucco walls in earthy tones
Flat or sloped roofs with parapets and canales
Rounded corners and deeply inset windows
Exposed wooden vigas and latillas in the ceiling
Central courtyards and built-in banco seating
You Might Be a Southwest Explorer if…
You feel a deep connection to land, heritage, and hand-crafted design. Your idela retreat is sunbaked, textural, and filled with cultural echoes-spaces that feel ancient, souldful, and inseperable from their landscape.
Fun Fact: Traditional adobe is made from a mixture of earth, water, and straw, then dried in the sun—a method used for thousands of years across many cultures.
#3. Mediterranean
Born from the sun-drenched coasts of Italy, Spain, and France, Mediterranean homes were embraced in America by those longing for the romance of European getaways. With graceful arches, textured stucco, and leafy courtyards, these homes invite both elegance and ease. They’re made for slow afternoons, shared meals, and gatherings that stretch late into warm evenings.
Key Features:
Smooth stucco walls and red tile roofs
Outdoor terraces, pergolas, and leafy courtyards
Arched openings, and wrought iron details.
Designed for gatherings, food, and slow living
You Might Be a Mesa Dweller if…
You believe life is meant to be savored. You’re drawn to spaces that celebrate connection, beauty, and sunlit hospitality, where every detail feels intentional and timeless.
Fun Fact: Mediterranean Revival architecture surged in popularity in the U.S. during the 1920s and 1930s, especially in coastal states like California and Florida, thanks to Hollywood’s romanticized portrayal of European lifestyles.
Farmhouse & Countryside Styles
Rooted in Ritual, Built for Real Life
These homes blend simplicity, nostalgia, and the rhythm of slow living. Modern or traditional, they’re grounded in the land, with porches for mornings, kitchens at the heart, and every space with a purpose.
#4. Modern Farmhouse
Where rustic charm meets clean, contemporary lines. Modern Farmhouse design blends the warmth of rural living with the freshness of modern simplicity. It keeps the familiar textures of wood and metal but streamlines the details for a crisp, updated feel.
Key Features:
Black-trimmed windows, white siding, and metal roofs
Barn doors, subway tile, and shiplap walls
Open layouts with cozy touches
A balance of function and style
You Might Be a Modern Steward if…
You love tradition but embrace a clutter-free, adaptable lifestyle. Your home is stylish yet welcoming, perfect for both family gatherings and quiet evenings.
Fun Fact: While the traditional farmhouse dates back centuries, the “Modern Farmhouse” style surged in popularity in the 2010s, driven in part by HGTV’s Fixer Upper.
#5. Classic Farmhouse
The original American farmhouse was built for function, rooted in the land, and made to last. These homes have a timeworn charm, with practical layouts and spaces designed for hard work, hospitality, and comfort.
Key Features:
Gabled roofs, dormers, and lap siding
Wraparound porches and symmetrical façades
Central fireplaces and big country kitchens
Built-in mudrooms and shutters
You Might Be a Country Keeper if…
You’re grounded, sentimental, and treasure life’s simple rituals. Your home is your sanctuary, where family traditions and familiar comforts take center stage.
Fun Fact: Early American farmhouses were often built with locally sourced wood and stone, making them a reflection of the surrounding landscape.
Mountain & Rustic Styles
Where Nature Shapes the Architecture
Inspired by forests, peaks, and alpine skies, these homes are equal parts shelter and sanctuary. Rustic textures and natural materials bring comfort, peace, and timeless connection.
#6. Mountain Modern
Minimalist lines meet rugged landscapes. Mountain Modern design reimagines rustic living with expansive windows, clean geometry, and sleek finishes. It keeps the warmth of wood and stone but pairs them with modern forms, creating spaces that feel both elevated and deeply connected to nature.
Key Features:
Expansive glass walls and timber framing
Reclaimed wood, concrete, and stone
Open-plan living with fireplace focal points
Decks and patios that bring the outdoors in
You Might Be a Summit Wanderer if…
You thrive in nature but want a dash of luxury. Your perfect home feels like a retreat, offering serenity and sophistication.
Fun Fact: Mountain Modern homes often use deep roof overhangs to protect against heavy snow while preserving wide, unobstructed views.
#7. Log Home
America’s pioneer spirit, refined for modern living. Log homes carry the charm of hand-hewn craftsmanship, with the warmth of wood and the comfort of thoughtful design. From rustic cabins to expansive lodges, they offer a deep connection to nature and a sense of timeless shelter.
Key Features:
Rounded logs or milled timber construction
Stone fireplaces and wood beam ceilings
Cozy nooks, lofts, and front porches
Ideal for lakes, mountains, and backcountry hideaways
You Might Be a Ridge Runner if…
You dream of starry skies, forest stillness, and spaces that feel grounded, warm, and inviting.
Fun Fact: Scandinavian settlers introduced log building techniques to North America in the 1600s, shaping early frontier architecture.
#8. Contemporary Chalet
Alpine tradition meets modern design. Contemporary Chalets keep the steep rooflines and cozy interiors of classic alpine homes but strip away ornate details for bold geometry and expansive views. They’re designed for snowy climates and mountain panoramas, blending warmth with architectural drama.
Key Features:
Steep gables and asymmetrical rooflines
Floor-to-ceiling windows to capture views
Natural materials like wood and stone paired with modern finishes
Open lofts, fireplaces, and airy staircases
You Might Be a Timberline Modernist if…
You love dramatic angles, walls of glass, and a home that feels both inviting and striking against a rugged backdrop.
Fun Fact: The term “chalet” comes from Switzerland, originally describing huts used by herders during alpine summers.
🌊 Coastal & Breezy Styles
Living Lightly, Breathing Deeply
Airy and sun-washed, these homes echo the rhythm of the sea. They invite calm and connection, with open layouts and spaces made for fresh air and light.
#9. Cape Cod
Sturdy, charming, and built for the coast. Originating in New England in the 1600s, Cape Cod homes were designed to withstand harsh Atlantic winters. Their simple, symmetrical shapes and weathered shingles give them a timeless charm that still feels welcoming today.
Key Features:
Steep roofs, dormers, and cedar shingles
Central chimneys and symmetrical layouts
Cozy fireplaces and shuttered windows
Designed for coastal resilience and warmth
You Might Be a Tide Chaser if…
You love tradition, simplicity, and the comfort of a seaside retreat that feels both practical and full of character.
Fun Fact: Early Cape Cod homes were inspired by English cottages but adapted with steep roofs to shed heavy snow and strong winds.
#10. Coastal Contemporary
Luxury living with ocean views. Coastal Contemporary homes combine sleek modern lines with materials that reflect the sea and shore. Designed to maximize natural light and breathtaking vistas, they balance resort-style amenities with relaxed, open spaces.
Key Features:
Floor-to-ceiling glass walls and flat roofs
Infinity pools, terraces, and expansive decks
Stone, steel, and exotic woods for contrast and texture
Open layouts that flow seamlessly to outdoor spaces
You Might Be a Cliffside Adventurer if…
You thrive on bold design and dramatic views, wanting a home that feels like a private retreat where every angle frames the horizon.
Fun Fact: In coastal regions, these homes often use corrosion-resistant materials and strategic overhangs to protect against salt air and sun exposure.
Classic & Historic Styles
Timeless Beauty, Crafted with Meaning
Steeped in heritage, these homes carry the craftsmanship and elegance of the past. Every detail tells a story, blending tradition with lasting character.
#11. Colonial
Balanced, refined, and enduring. Colonial homes draw from early American architecture, with symmetry, proportion, and timeless detail at their core. Often built to convey stability and tradition, they remain one of the most recognizable styles in the U.S.
Key Features:
Symmetrical façades with centered doorways
Clapboard siding or brick exteriors
Shutters and multi-pane windows
Formal layouts with defined rooms
You Might Be a Heritage Curator if…
You value timeless beauty and refined details. Your home is a place of pride, honoring history while embracing new traditions.
#12. Craftsman Bungalow
Warm, handcrafted simplicity. Born from the Arts & Crafts movement of the early 1900s, Craftsman Bungalows emphasize natural materials, built-in details, and human-scale design that feels personal and inviting.
Key Features:
Low-pitched roofs with wide eaves
Tapered columns and welcoming porches
Built-ins, wood paneling, and earthy tones
Natural materials and detailed craftsmanship
You Might Be an Artisan Maker if…
You appreciate thoughtful details, cozy nooks, and design that feels made by hand rather than machine.
Fun Fact: Craftsman homes were often sold as mail-order kits from companies like Sears, shipped with all materials and plans included.
#13. Tudor Revival
Old-world romance with storybook charm. Inspired by medieval English cottages, Tudor Revival homes blend elegance and whimsy with steep rooflines, textured façades, and rich detailing.
Key Features:
Steeply pitched gable roofs
Decorative half-timbering
Tall, narrow windows with diamond panes
Brick or stone exteriors with arched doorways
