My email inbox is always full of inquiries from folks who think they’ve found a Sears Magnolia right in their neighborhood. Unfortunately 99.9% of the time, they’re wrong.

The Sears Magnolia was purposefully patterned after a popular housing style, The Southern Colonial. Here in Hampton Roads, there’s a Southern Colonial Revival in many of our turn-of-the-century neighborhoods. However, the Sears Magnolia – the real deal – has some unique features that’ll help differentiate from other homes of that period.

Below are some images from the 1921 Sears Modern Homes catalog, showing details around the roof and front porch. Take a moment and really study these images and you’ll see some of the unique architectural features. And if you want to see a real Sears Magnolia, click here and here and here.

Sears Magnolia from the 1921 Sears Modern Homes catalog

Sears Magnolia - first story floor plan.

Details on Sears Magnolia's front porch. Notice the distinctive roof lines and unique details around the front porch. At its core, the Sears Magnolia is a classic foursquare with delusions of grandeur.

Maggy in Benson, NC.

To read more about Sears Homes, click here.