Do you want to live in a luxury estate that looks like it was plucked straight out of a fairy tale? If so, you'll want to check out Golden Oak, the Walt Disney World Resort community home to some of the most magnificent mansions imaginable. This blog post will give you an overview of the different architectural styles found in Golden Oak to find the perfect home for your needs. According to the
floor plans for Golden Oak mansions, the architectural styles you may encounter are Caribbean, Coastal, Colonial (Dutch, Island, and Spanish), French Château, French Country, Italianate, Tuscan, and Venetian.
Caribbean
Caribbean, or Conch architecture, tends to come in six main styles: Bahama, Classic Revival, Frame Vernacular, eyebrow, Queen Anne, and shotgun. In general, Caribbean-style Golden Oak mansions look like a blend of tropical and Victorian inspiration. Wrap-around porches, metal roofs, window shutters, gabled roofs with “gingerbread” trim, and carved railings on the balconies are frequently seen in homes designed in this style. Check out this
portfolio gallery from Golden Oak architect Derrick Builders for Caribbean-style Golden Oak real estate examples.
Coastal
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Golden Oak real estate in the Coastal style is inspired by the Florida coast. Golden Oak mansions in this style usually have an open floor plan with high ceilings and abundant natural light, with colors inspired by the sky and sea. It is common to see façades with shades of blue and white trim, gabled roofs with overhanging eaves and a decorative bargeboard, circular accent windows reminiscent of port holes, and large covered porches. This
example from Derrick Builders is an example of Coastal Golden Oak real estate.
Colonial
Colonial covers a range of sub-styles inspired by the architecture of various European countries that had colonies in the New World during the 17th and 18th centuries. These include Dutch Colonial, Island Colonial, and Spanish Revival, each of which has unique defining characteristics.
Dutch Colonial
When looking at Golden Oak mansions, if it has at least one chimney, a Dutch door, wooden shutters, a gambrel roof, large curved overhanging eaves, and sash windows, it is likely a Dutch Colonial. Homes in this style are usually one-and-a-half to two stories tall, with a steep asphalt shingle roof. The façade usually includes white trim and wooden shingles or clapboard. The interior often has paneled walls, exposed beams, and at least one fireplace. The
Kingston model by Issa Homes is an example of Dutch Colonial
Golden Oak luxury real estate.
Island Colonial
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Golden Oak mansions in the Island Colonial style usually include a paneled set of front doors in mahogany, a portico with thick tapered columns on pedestals, limestone or wood flooring, a covered porch, French doors with arched transom windows above, multiple chimneys, a wood shingle roof, a symmetrical layout of windows, and both covered and open-air balconies. Check out the
Island House at Lot 79 of
Golden Oak real estate for an example of Island Colonial design from J. Richard Watson Construction.
Spanish Revival
Perhaps the most common style in Golden Oak, Spanish Revival is seen among many Golden Oak mansions. Homes in this style often have a stucco exterior with arched windows, arched entries, and terracotta shingle roofs. The
Montecito model from Derrick Builders is a solid example of Spanish Revival Golden Oak real estate.
French Country
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The
French Country, or Provençal, style of homes traditionally has a brick or stone façade emphasizing symmetrical design. The roof is usually very tall and sloping, with the corners pointing down to the ground. It is common to see beige, brown, or red barrel tiles for the roof. Windows are usually rectangular, tall, and perfectly aligned horizontally and vertically across the façade. It is also common to see a pair of chimneys on each side of the house. Check out the
Château Bellevue by Derrick Builders at Lot 56 in Golden Oak for an example of French Country Golden Oak real estate.
French Château
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Golden Oak real estate in the
French Château, or Chateauesque, architectural style should remind you of its namesake. You can spot a French Château-inspired home among Golden Oak mansions if it includes a steeply pitched hipped roof with an iron finial at each roofline peak. The floor plan is traditionally asymmetrical with a façade of walls at various depths, which gives the appearance of advancing and receding. Dormer windows are also common. This portfolio
example from Derrick Builders is a striking example of Châteauesque Golden Oak mansions.
Italianate
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Golden Oak mansions in the
Italianate style can be quickly spotted due to their low-pitched and hipped roofs, a windowed entry door, square columns with beveled corners on the front porch, and ornate wrought iron and stone details. This
portfolio entry from Derrick Builders is a perfect example of Italianate Golden Oak real estate.
Tuscan
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Golden Oak real estate in the
Tuscan style can be recognized by a traditionally terracotta roof, stucco or limestone walls, outdoor living space, arched doorways, and arched transom windows over main-level windows. The Tuscan architectural style is also known for paneled or vaulted ceilings, mosaic floors, and stucco or plaster walls. For examples of Tuscan-style Golden Oak mansions, look for the
Dell'Arte model from Cahill Homes or the
Carerra from Goehring & Morgan Construction.
Venetian
Also known as the
High Victorian Gothic Style, or Ruskinian Gothic, the Venetian style of architecture is associated with a steep gabled or cross-gabled roof, turrets with conical roofs, decorative cornerstones, patterned brick chimneys, and masonry construction. Golden Oak mansions in this style draw heavy inspiration from Venetian Gothic architecture. Homes in this style usually have an irregularly shaped structure and arched windows that come to a point at the top.
Golden Oak mansions exhibit Caribbean, Coastal, Colonial (Dutch, Island, and Spanish), French Château, French Country, Italianate, Tuscan, and Venetian architecture styles.
Regardless of what architectural style appeals to you, you will find a magnificently magical home in Walt Disney World's luxury community.
Contact Toni Cafferty for assistance to inquire about available Golden Oak real estate.
*Header photo courtesy of Shutterstock
