Inspired by picturesque cottages and manors of medieval England, Tudor homes are among the most iconic architectural styles. Their roots trace back to the Tudor period (England 1485–1603). At that time, houses were built with steep, gabled roofs, exposed wooden beams, and intricate masonry. Today, Tudor style homes remain a popular symbol of old-world storybook charm and rustic timeless elegance. Let’s explore the history of the style in America and tips on how to refresh your home’s Tudor exterior with color.

The Legacy of Tudor Homes In America

Modern Tudor style emerged in America as part of the Arts and Crafts movement in the 1920s and 1930s. It rejected industrialized designs in favor of handcrafted, old-world aesthetics. Architects replicated the charm of English country estates, blending elements of medieval architecture with new construction techniques. These homes are characterized by steeply pitched roofs, half-timbered exteriors, and brick, stucco or stone facades. Traditional Tudor exterior colors feature high contrast materials and warm, neutral tones. It’s common to see chocolate brown timbers paired with creamy colored stucco.

The style was widely embraced, particularly in affluent neighborhoods, as it resembled picturesque cottages. The Tudor Revival movement in the 1920s and 30s, paved the way for the Neo-Tudor movement of the 1970s and 80s, and solidified the style as an enduring part of American architecture.

The Resurgence of Tudor Style in the 70’s and 80’s

The style experienced a revival in the 1970s and 1980s. This was an era in which many historical and nostalgic styles made a comeback. Other styles that made a comeback include Colonial Revival, Mediterranean Revival, and Neo-Colonial. The renewed interest in Tudor homes during this period is attributed to a combination of cultural, economic, and design factors. Neo Tudor exterior color schemes were often traditional, but included variations of natural colors, borrowing from color trends of the time.

Cultural Shift and Nostalgia:

The 70s and 80s was a time of economic growth and suburban expansion, especially in North America. Many Americans sought homes that conveyed a sense of warmth, tradition, and character—qualities often associated with the past. The Tudor home appealed to this nostalgia, spurred by the social upheavals and fast-paced modernism of the 1960s.

Architectural Influences:

As a wave of new suburban developments swept America, builders looked to elements of the Tudor Revival style once again. Sometimes referred to as Neo-Tudor, homes of this era retained traditional features, but were often more streamlined. They incorporated modern building materials like vinyl siding or synthetic brick. Sometimes, they blended elements of other popular architectural styles. These adaptations made the style more affordable and accessible to a broader range of homebuyers. Neo-Tudors had larger, open floor plans and modern amenities like central air conditioning, updated kitchens, and more expansive living areas. 

Individuality:

While many homes in the 1970s were still mass-produced, there was a growing market for custom built homes. Tudor style, with it’s mix of rustic details and sophistication, was an attractive option for people looking to break away from the modern and minimalist trends of the time.

Exterior Color and the Twin Cities Tudor

While traditional exterior Tudor colors are still very popular, I get many requests to update them. This includes lower contrast color combos, cooler tones, and incorporating personal preferences. I’m often asked about exterior color trends and how to balance them for curb appeal, individuality, and resale. While there are many factors that go into considering an exterior scheme, here are 3 guidelines I use on my consultations, regardless of style:

•  Exterior colors in general aren’t as trendy as interior colors, for a few reasons. Painting the exterior is more expensive and more complicated than interior painting. Your exterior paint job should last 10-20 years, depending on exposure, weather, the color itself, the quality of the paint, and (more importantly) the prep. So it’s important to get it right! Colors should compliment the architectural features of the home. In addition, many homeowners want their houses to blend with the neighborhood without looking like every other house on the block.

• Exterior colors are a more public facing and less personal decision. Often times, I help homeowners with roof, window, stone, or brick colors they may not love, but can’t change. Color is a wonderful way to marry disparate colors when your personal taste is at odds with what must stay.

• In general, colors are regional. Here in the Twin Cities of St Paul and Minneapolis, we tend to love natural colors that echo our landscape. We are the land of sky blue water and 10,000 lakes, after all! I often recommend shades of blue, green, tan, taupe, white, cream, brown, black and gray. These colors feel grounded in nature and tradition, perfectly blending Tudor sentiment with our Nordic sensibilities.

Color is a powerful tool to create your home. Take a look below at how color shifts the mood of this home. These are some of my favorite colors that put a Twin Cities’ twist on a traditional favorite.

A trditional high contrast color combo features light creamy stucco that plays off the brick tones, paired with deep brown timbers and trim. A terra cotta colored door is a subtle pop of warm color

Low contrast warm tones create monochromatic and understated elegance

A rich oxblood color offers a current update for the trim. It’s brown undertones pull from the red tones in the brick while still feeling tradtional. A mossy green is the perfect compliment

Modern black and white can make a traditional home feel updated and fresh. Choose a black with a touch of brown to blend it with the warm elements. A bright front door brings standout charm to the entrance

Low contrast cool tones feel elegant and soft while allowing the craftsmanship of the brickwork to shine. Soft shades with a hint of green compliment the warm natural materials

A soft griege stucco pairs well with a rich slate blue trim that compliments the orange tones in the brick. A soft grayed aqua creates a calm and welcoming entrance

Leave me a comment below and let me know which combo is your favorite.

With so many colors to choose from, it’s easy to get confused. Whether you’re looking for classic colors or a modern combo, I’d love to help you create a unique palette for your home, click here to fill out my contact form  for more information on a consultation. Follow me on Instagram for more inspiration.