Painting of the most lovely 'fondant' type homes in the States
Key West’s “gingerbread houses” grew out of a distinctive 19th‑century building culture where climate, materials, craft traditions, and sudden wealth all pushed the same direction: light, elevated, highly decorated wooden houses with deep, lacy porches.
Key West’s “gingerbread houses” grew out of a distinctive 19th‑century building culture where climate, materials, craft traditions, and sudden wealth all pushed the same direction: light, elevated, highly decorated wooden houses with deep, lacy porches.
Climate drove the form. Houses were raised on posts or piers so air could circulate underneath; rooms had high ceilings, large windows, and louvered “Bahamas” shutters to catch breezes while blocking sun; wide, shaded porches wrapped the façades.
Almost everything was built of wood by shipwrights and carpenters rather than trained architects, so houses resemble fine boats—clean lines, timber framing, and abundant scroll‑sawn trim that could be cut on site. As the area gained wealth through fishing decorative elements were added resulting in the beautiful style we see today.
Interesting facts...
Look closely at the decoration often they hint at the original owners occupation, cigarmakers, captains, merchants and suchlike.
Location: Florida Keys, in Monroe County, Florida, USA.
