It’s Christmas time, there is a chill in the air, and everyone is in the hustle and bustle of shopping, baking, and parties. With all the activities that happen, it is important to stop and take time with those you love. Our family loves classic Christmas movies, the heartwarming it’s a Wonderful Life, the excitement of the Polar Express and the laughter of Elf. But, being the mother of 3 adolescent boys, Home Alone is the top choice in our house. What kid doesn’t love seeing a grown man get hit in the face with an iron?
So, keeping on trend with the “Why do I love this house” theme, let’s dive into the most iconic and beautiful Christmas home, the McCallister’s from Home Alone.
Architectural Style
The location of this home is in the suburbs of Chicago and is a Classic Georgian Architectural style. The Georgian style is highly variable but marked by symmetry and proportion based on the classical architecture of Greece and Rome. The ornament is also normally in the classical tradition, but typically restrained, and sometimes almost completely absent on the exterior.
Georgian architecture is characterized by its proportion and balance; simple mathematical ratios were used to determine the height of a window in relation to its width or the shape of a room as a double cube.
Inside the Home
The iconic scene in Home Alone when the family has slept in and is rushing to the airport gives us a full preview of the 4200 sq ft home. The heart of this home is the large front entrances with a grand staircase that Kevin slides down on his toboggan (another reason my boys love the movie!). The center foyer and staircase was the center part of the home with the wings of the of the house for living and entertaining. Everything about these Georgian homes can be summed up in one word, SYMMETRY.
Building Today
What is more classic than red brick? From the mid-1800s through about 1900, the industrial revolution and steam power also helped make masonry building materials cheaper and more readily available. As a result, more and more people could afford to own a brick or stone home. This home is built in the 1920s and would have taken full advantage of this cost-effective material. In today’s building practices, the typical method of a stone exterior is to use a cultured product in panels rather than individual stones or bricks. It is these advancements in building techniques that are a blessing and a curse to the building industry. To have a stone product that will properly shed water, insulate and look great, but it is missing the authenticity and craftsmanship that can only be accomplished with a skilled stone mason.
Whether your dream home is the Home Alone estate, or the custom home on your Christmas wish list looks completely different, Alair Homes is here to help you bring those visions to life. Contact us, and let’s work on creating the perfect home that you can create future special holidays in.