Lakewood is a visually interesting and attractive place to live because of the architectural diversity of its residences. A short walk around town will likely take the careful observer past examples of the Arts & Crafts (Craftsman) Bungalow, Queen Anne, Spanish Colonial Revival, French Provincial, Greek Revival, Victorian, Tudor Revival, and Dutch Colonial styles. One might also see the occasional Cape Cod and Ranch home, and will certainly notice the ubiquitous American Foursquare. A less common yet highly recognizable architectural style found in Lakewood is the Italian Renaissance style.

The Italian Renaissance style is characterized by a low-pitched, hipped, ceramic tile roof with broad, overhanging eaves, full-length first-story windows with arches above, and smaller, less elaborate second-story windows. The houses are always stucco or masonry – this style never appears in wood. It was most popular in the 1920's & 1930's but was rarely built after 1940.

Constructed in 1922 for Charles and Lena Myers, the home at 17895 Lake Road exemplifies all of the Italian Renaissance characteristics. Charles Myers was president of the Vitrolite Construction Company. Vitrolite was the trade name for a high-fired, opaque glass product, and its ads touted it as being "better than marble." It was particularly popular during the 1920's & 1930's, and today is considered one of the defining design elements of the Art Deco and Art Moderne movements. Residential applications were usually kitchen and bathroom walls and ceilings. Mr. Myers' product can be seen in the Jack & Jill bath of his Lake Road house, as well as in other houses throughout Lakewood. Don't miss your chance to tour this great example of Italian Renaissance architecture – it’s one of the houses featured on the Lakewood Historical Society's "Come Home to Lakewood" House Tour on September 7th. For more details, visit www.lakewoodhistorymuseumstore.com.