Stover Mansion

History of New England Colonial style architecture
Not surprisingly, the New England Colonial style was first developed in America when the colonies began in the late 1600’s. By the late nineteenth century, wealthy men of the Northeast United States were building large mansions out of red brick with white accents. This movement was also related to the revival of Greek style architecture a famous example would have been the home Thomas Jefferson designed, Monticello, with it’s red brick and white pillars. This style became popular again in the 1980’s and many suburbs included less magnificent variations make of other supplies like wood. Although one might expect that this home along with was of the neighborhood in the 1980’s, it is quite a bit newer but still classic and luxurious with a blend of style elements from across vast amount of time.
Exterior
This home is relatively new, built in 2002. Yet, the architecture overall represents a much earlier time period at least on the exterior. The front of the house is clearly New England colonial revival style with the red brick and the white accents. This style can also be seen in the symmetry of the house with the placement of windows and the garages. The shape of the house is generally called a four-by-four with the upper floors being somewhat symmetrical to the lover floors as well as the right and left sides of the house but this house is quite a bit larger than a real four-by-four. The nonfunctional shutters on the windows are also typical of this design. Perhaps the most important element to this house is the grand front doors with intricate details in the triangle form but with a gap for a shape in the middle (also a element of Cape Cod Style). The doors themselves are also very impressive with large knockers. Even the driveway had these elements with two cement lanes at the entrance separated by a grass section. The shape of the house is generally called a four-by-four with the upper floors being somewhat symmetrical to the lover floors as well as the right and left sides of the house. This trend of colonial like houses lasted from the 1890-1930’s. However several elements don’t quite fit with that style. The standard colonial revival has gabled roves (two slanting roves that come together parallel to the front of the house to make a triangle on either side of the house). Also, dormers’ the protruding windows on the top floor are more Cape Cod Style, which was post World War II style of the 1940-1950’s. This style has a lot in common with the New England Colonial like the gabled roves, triangle shape over the main entrance, and the nonfunctioning stutters. But then when the back of the house is analyzed, it shows key elements of Greek revival style. The statue directly behind the back entrance emphasizes the Greek art of sculpting along with the large arch window. This style was most dominant in the 1840-1890’s in America. The moldings are also quite Greek-like although these are slightly more detailed than expected for this style. Another aspect of the house that is not covered the those three styles in the hip roof or the roof continuing on after the house has ended to create a small over hang.
Interior
This home is unlike the average home in that it’s designed with specific people in mind. The builders had their children in mind so one of the most interesting aspects is the rock wall built into the exercise room. The house has five bedrooms, and eight bathrooms including a guest wing. There is also an entertainment room with a projector and its own kitchen. It has three fireplaces. There is also a wine cellar. The home is made up of astounding materials like antique doors leading to the library, marble and hardwood floors. The grand staircase looks like something from a five star hotel with extremely detailed molding around a chandelier overhead. It provides a seven-car garage. The entire house is almost 8,500 square feet. On just over one acre of land, backing up to the Boise River this home is secluded but gorgeous. It’s located in “The Island” a gated section of the River Run neighborhood off of Park Center Blvd.