The country look has held a special place in American architecture for many years. It remains the single most popular style for American homes . Early settlers mixed influences of Old World architecture with hand-hewn tools and materials available in the American frontier. The result was a blend of the beautiful and the practical.

Country homes are comfortable and cozy. Exposed beams, rough finishes on the walls, fireplaces for warmth, and windows with small panes were characteristic of country homes. These features are common in today’s country homes. Traditionally, country homes were constructed from local materials. Wood flooring, brick, and stone were all materials available locally. The country homes of today still use these materials, though they may no longer be local