
The Richardsonian Romanesque and Arts and Crafts styles had natural philosophical affinities, although divergent architectural expressions. However they could be successfully combined, as they were in these two houses designed by their owner and built by William Thompson. Although row houses erected at the same time, each is a distinct composition, consciously individualized by differing forms and details yet sharing common materials and a fundamental aesthetic approach. In addition to this vertical separation between the two compositions, a horizontal one occurs as the weight of the stylistic influences shifts between the first and second stories. The basements and first levels are covered with rock-faced limestone, with the entries decorated with particularly beautiful Richardsonian ornament. The second stories and wide attic gables, constructed of tan brick but with rough limestone for lintels-cum-belt courses, depend primarily on compositional devices (an abstract Palladian motif on 1124 and the hip-roof dormer at 1126) that speak of Arts and Crafts influence.