It’s official. Fall has arrived. Pumpkin spice lattes, Halloween decor in every store, and vibrant deciduous trees abound. It’s the time of year that invites both admiration for nature’s transitional season and a desire to curl up in the warmth of a comfortable home. Prairie style architecture affords the perfect balance of both outdoor glory and indoor comfort.

Indoor Comfort

We’ve talked before about prairie style architecture’s insistence on designing for human scale. It endeavors to be perfectly human-sized. Prairie ceilings are lower and sculpted to define spaces in the midst of an otherwise open floor plan, making the home feel cozy and warm—the kind of place where you’d like to curl up on the couch with coffee in your favorite mug and a fantastic book.

Adding to the autumnal delights of prairie homes are their welcoming custom fireplaces. Unpretentious, yet still beautiful, the prairie style fireplace radiates warmth from an intentionally  crafted hearth. The brick fireplace, paired with natural wood textures and earthy colors throughout the home, mimic natural designs and bring the the outdoors inside. And while the fireplace glows and crackles, a warm, stocked kitchen is ready to make the perfect fall soup!

Outdoor Splendor

Yet with all the emphasis on indoor comfort, prairie style thrives on its natural surroundings. Large windows offer stunning views into the world beyond the living room, and well-designed doors open corners to the outside world. Earthy tones and nature-inspired materials help nestle most prairie style homes into the land on which they sit. An open back porch invites residents to drink in the perfect fall evening with a cup of tea or a glass of wine. Prairie architecture strives to grow naturally out of the land it sits on, making the home style perfect for observing and enjoying each passing season!

Whether you’re interested in a fully Frank Lloyd Wright style home or you’d simply like to draw bits of inspiration from the genre, prairie style architecture provides interesting considerations for your custom Pacific Northwest home.