Architectural designs of the great European architects and builders have been referred to as academic, indicating that they are very correct and pure in style. Although there are certainly many academically correct buildings in the United State, houses and other building which do not conscientious follow on a type are plentiful. It is important, therefore,m to understand and accept the concept that man houses cannot be labeled as being on particular style. Some of these houses have characteristics of two styles because they were built in a time when one style was going out of popularity and another was gaining in popularity and the design includes characteristics from both styles. These areas and houses may referred to as transitional. Many houses have been built in one style and remodeled to add features of another style. Also, many houses have been built in this country by builders less skilled than builders in Europe during the same era. Thus, these houses are not pure enough in structure and ornamentation to be labeled one style. In these cases, it may be said that a certain style or styles have influenced the design of a house or that a house design is an adaptation of a certain styles.North Carolina is known for its unpretentious homes which lack many of the high style characteristics. The term vernacular is used to refer to houses which are not high style, but which have characteristic peculiar to that region or locality. An example would be the unique exterior wooden trim on houses built by the same local carpenter in a small town. Usually, these houses are simpler in structure and decoration than the academic styles due to the limited skills of the builder. Another important influence on vernacular housing in eastern North Carolina is that traditionally this has been an agricultural area and there have been many tenant farmers. Landowners usually have built tenant houses with economy if materials and labor being the uppermost criterion in mind. Authors: Patricia G Henson Binding: Paperback Label: East Carolina University, Regional Development Institute Manufacturer: East Carolina University, Regional Development Institute Publication Date: 1988 Publisher: East Carolina University, Regional Development Institute Studio: East Carolina University, Regional Development Institute