Fake English Mansions in Russia

Living in a classic English-style mansion just outside Moscow is a dream that the city's realtors work hard to keep alive. People often come to us wanting to give their architectural project the look of a fine old house. So what is it that gives new architecture away, despite every effort to style it like an old mansion?

A mansion near Moscow. The color of the decorative elements is far too contrasting. Instead of the three-dimensional modeling that architecture calls for, the facade flattens into a painted picture.	English Mansion Gentle contrast across all parts of the building. The decorative elements are the same tone as the walls.
The base course is sharply outlined and overemphasized.	The base course is often left unaccented, even when the foundation is tall.
White plastic windows. A harsh, sickly white in the trim creates an unpleasant clash of color.	The calm, warm white of the window frames. The trim is painted to match the facade or in other complementary colors.
Windows without muntins leave large rectangular holes in the building's facade.	Muntins divide the windows. Double frames are often used to add depth.
Roof colors that are bright and clash with the facade. The roof color is chosen in isolation from everything else.	Muted roof colors weathered by time, gray-red with the speckled tones of unpainted shingles.
A brand-new look. Overly sharp, perfectly square corners on the steps, walls, and soffits. A showy whiteness.	A dignified, weathered look: settled and darkened by age. Worn corners give the building softness and grace.
Elaborate facades and a complicated floor plan for a relatively small amount of construction.	A simple floor plan, as in the classic English mansion.
Polished granite and marble entryways on so-called "country" houses.	Entryways that are unpretentious yet beautiful. Ceramic tile, pebbles, concrete, gray stone.