Was the last Southern Colonial-style home you saw in “Gone With the Wind”? Not surprising, since the iconic, boxy, colonnaded genre of architecture is far outnumbered in Southern California by tract, Mid-Century Modern, bungalow, Spanish Colonial, and even Victorian homes. (Perhaps ironic, too, since the Colonial-style mansion of Tara was built and filmed on a Hollywood studio lot.)

There are enclaves of Colonials around SoCal, notably in L.A.’s Hancock Park neighborhood, Glendale, Toluca Lake, and Coronado. So owning one is not out of the question. Working with a great real estate agent is the first step to locating a Southern Colonial on the market. Just make sure you know what kind of house you might be living in. In addition to older Colonials that may or may not have been renovated, some newer homes have been built to look like the real thing.

What defines the Southern Colonial architectural style?

Which brings us to describing what characterizes Southern Colonials. These homes draw their influence from those of European colonists who settled in America’s northern and southern colonies during the 1600s. As it evolved, the architecture aspired to the ideals of the Greek Revival movement of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Barron’s Real Estate Dictionary defines it as “a large, Early American style, 2- or 3-story frame house with a characteristic colonnade extending across the front. The roof extends over the colonnade.” Homes originally were built from brick, wood, stone, or combinations of the three.

On the outside:

You can tell if a house is Southern Colonial as you approach it from outside. Main features include:

• Set back from the road: The home is typically set back a wider distance from the road to create a feeling of stately elegance.
• Characteristic colonnade: A long sequence of columns, typically numbering four to six, comprising a colonnade, borrowed from classical Greek design.
• Portico: This is the front porch right behind the colonnade. The roof extends to cover the portico and connects the colonnade. It’s an ideal area to place lounge chairs for admiring the view, or watching the world pass by.
• Symmetry: Symmetry in all the elements is an important hallmark of the Southern Colonial. The main door is always in the center behind the colonnade. Windows are to the left and right of the door, usually surrounded by black shutters over French windows.
• Paired chimneys: Especially in the South, chimneys were originally positioned at each end of the house to prevent heat buildup in the summer. They also provide fireplaces at each level indoors, and contain multiple flues to enable fires to be lit in several rooms at once.
• Colors: White and off-white are predominantly used on the outside, with some homes painted using tricolors of cream and tan.

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On the inside:

• Center hallway: This is typical in the interior, along with a grand staircase and chandeliers.
• Extensive molding: A common feature inside and out. Dentil molding is often used to delineate the end of a rafter. A dentil, in classical architecture, is a repeating ornament typically used where the cornice projects. Crown molding is extensively used in the interior.
• Colors: In the interior, the same colors are occasionally used as on the outside. Colonial blue and yellow on the trim and walls, contrasted with red carpeting, are also employed to give a rich, regal feeling.

Should you buy a Southern Colonial home?

George Washington lived in a Southern Colonial, so why shouldn’t you?

As with any home purchase, a thorough inspection should be completed to assess any construction issues, such as foundation cracks, mold, termites, and other potential future problems. This is especially true with older homes. However, remodeled or newly constructed Southern Colonials are more likely to have been brought up to modern construction codes with energy and green standards in place. Your agent will be your best source for helping to assess a home’s condition and recommend vendors if needed.

Where to see examples of Southern Colonial architecture:

• Hancock Park, Los Angeles
• The Georgetown Building, Santa Ana
• The former Bing Crosby estate, Toluca Lake
• Annenberg Community Beach House, Santa Monica

Still searching to find your perfect Southern California home? Start your search today.