Historically, an architectural style home could be named and identified by either the architect, area, or for the period for which the homes were built. Cape Cod homes originate in, of course, Cape Cod, where Victorian homes begot during the era of Queen Victoria, and so forth.

Because our world is vast, this discussion will be limited to a few of the most popular residential styles and characteristics from several bygone eras—styles and characteristics that continue to reflect in our new homes today:

Art Deco Style Home (Art Modern)

This form of style, popular during the depression age for its conservative approach, has been spiking the interest of the modern world once again. Known for its streamlined-smooth shape and simple ornate characteristics, it is definitely not a typical traditional home.

Common features of Art Deco may include:

Smooth-Straight Lines

Flat Roof

Stucco Exterior Walls Curved at Corners

Casement Windows (originally metal framed)

Utilization of Glass Blocks and Round windows for Design Accents.

Art Deco House Style: An Architectural and Interior Design Source Book

http://www.decopix.com/directory.html

Colonial Style Home

A Colonial home refers to the architectural home styles built by our country's settlers beginning over five centuries ago.

British Colonist's predominated the eastern seaboard early on, therefore, the majority of the homes erected during this Early Colonial Period had the style particular to their native land.

The architectural styles re-created in the southern colonies (Virginias and Carolinas), for the most part, kept true to form with the old world's designs.

Once their wealth became established, southern aristocrats built enormous mansions reflecting the Georgian style architecture of England. The northern colonies (New England) built most of their homes based on the styles of rural England.

Eventually, they began revising the architecture (thus the term "Revival"), giving an "Early American" influence to an old world style, as seen in the Colonial Revival style.

The original "English" Colonial's common features include:

Rectangular Shaped Two-story Structure with a Gable Roof

Central Front Entrance Covered by a Pedimented Portico enhanced by either Pilasters, or Columns

Front Door Adorned with a Fanlight and Sidelights

Symmetrically Placed Single or Paired Multi-pane Windows

Domestic Architecture of the American Colonies and of the Early Republic

http://www.yorklinks.net/VirtYork/englcol.htm

There were "other" Colonial styles built by our early settlers to help our founding fathers adapt to the differences in climate, make use of local materials, as well as take on a new world style, which became known as...

Cape Cod Style Home

When we think of a Cape Cod home, we immediately picture the coast lines of New England, which is actually the birth place of this style way back in the 17^th century.

A Cape (the term New England's locals use) is just one variation of a Colonial Home.

Capes were generally smaller homes built lower to the ground designed to withstand the effects of the chilling winds of the cold winter seas.

The front of the home always faced south in order to gain the much needed warmth of the winter sun into the home. How about that...

...our country's founders were using passive solar principals way back then.

Common features of a Cape Cod may include:

1-1/2 Stories.

Rooms are Historically on the Petite Size.

Dormers to allow more space on the upper floor.

Either Clapboard or Shingle Siding.

Double Hung Windows with upper multi-paned sashes.

Shutters on Front

Chimney Usually Located in Center of Home.

Saltbox and Cape Cod Houses

http://www.uwec.edu/geography/Ivogeler/w367/styles/s12.htm

Colonial Revival Style Home

Melded beautifully of elements taken from the Queen Anne, Federal, and Georgian architecture, this style gave a new dimension to the American home. Vast wealth began accumulating throughout the new land due the industrial age. Therefore...

...homes were being built larger with more ornamental attributes.

A home built in this phase of architectural history can have a variety of features where no two homes look quite the same. This style later evolved into the Four-Square and Bungalow designs in the early 1900's.

Common features of a Colonial Revival may include:

Hipped Roof with a Central Dormer set with a Palladian Window

Symmetrical Block Design

Centered Front Door

Fanlights or Transoms with Sidelights

Broken Pediments without Columns over Front Entrance

Clapboard Siding

Flat Roofed Wings protruding from one side of the Home.

Colonials (Updating Classic America Series): Design Ideas for Renovating, Remodeling, and Building New

http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/~twp/architecture/colonialrevival/

Dutch Colonial Style Home

There is quite an obvious distinction that sets this home apart from other Colonial styles—it's Gambrel Roof.

This design was first built in the New Amsterdam area, which is what we now call New York, and has later migrated throughout the country. This type of roof allows more room on the second floor as well as an additional loft, or attic space.

Originally designed for economical purposes, how ironic that this style has become one of today's more costly roofs to build.

Common features of a Dutch Colonial may include:

Gambrel Roof

Flaring Eaves Covering a Porch

Wide Overhangs

Shed Type or Gable Type Dormers

Cubic Rooms

Rounded Windows in Gabled Attic Area

Dutch Colonial Homes in America

http://coloradohistory-oahp.org/guides/architecture/styles/dutch.htm

Garrison Colonial Style Home

A style nearly identical to that of the original Colonial style home, except that there are a couple of minor differences:

The entire front facade of the Second Story is "Cantilevered" (overhangs the first floor).

There are Wooden Ornaments Projecting Down from Overhang.

http://www.uwec.edu/geography/Ivogeler/w367/styles/s19.htm

Georgian Style Home

The wealthy began building homes fashioned from the new trends of London England during the reign of King George I, hence "Georgian".

The works of a well known European architect, Andrea Palladio inspired architects Indigo Jones, Christopher Wren, and other English architects to design what would become the new Georgian Style craze.

New England's Georgian Colonial homes were built somewhat smaller and had less ornamentation than the Southern Georgian style mansions due to the puritan influence and a more even distribution of wealth for New England's Colonists.

The southern states had a far different way to disperse its money. The land owners became very wealthy aristocrats and built huge mansions with great ornamentation that would be the envy of England.

After the American Revolution, Georgian stylebecame quite the popular fad in the newly formed United States. With the routine Ocean-Atlantic travels to and from England...

This quaint fairy tale looking cottage closely resembles the American idealism of "English Country". This type of cottage is quite charming and unique...

...it is the type of cottage seen in the rural towns of England.

Common features of a Cotswold Cottage may include:

Steep Pitched Roof with a Rolling Uneven Roof line

Shingles to Resemble the original Thatched Roof

Brick and Stucco Exterior with Half-timber Walls

Large Distinguished Chimney

Arched Doorways

English Cottage Interiors

http://www.saunalahti.fi/~hurmari/img0069.jpg

TUDOR REVIVAL STYLE HOME

Larger and more stately than a Cotswold Cottage, the Tudor Revival is a beautiful rendition of characteristics taken from the original medieval Tudor style architecture built in the 16^th Century.

Original Tudor construction consisted of a post and beam frame-work, in-filled with plaster, with the surfaces of the timbers left exposed. Today, the exposed post and beam are replaced with decorative facial timbers applied over a solid stucco surface.

Common Tudor Revival features may include:

1-1/2 to 2-1/2 Stories

The ½ and Second Stories maintain the decorative timbering over stucco, where the ground floor level is bricked; aka: half-timbering.

Beautiful Combinations of Cross Gabled and/or Hipped Roofs.

Tall-narrow multi-paned windows.

Large ornate chimneys

Tall, narrow windows.

Tudor Style: Tudor Revival Houses in America from 1890 to the Present

http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/~twp/architecture/tudor/

****

French Country Style Home

Here is another misnomer; the American idealism of "French Country" is not exactly what the true French know of it to be. If you search for the definition of "French Country", chances are...

...you won't find a true architectural meaning for it. As far as I can tell, it is the American impressionism of what French Country should be.

Americans have been fascinated with the French lifestyle for years. If you look to the Orange Country in South-Eastern France, you may find what should be perceived as true "French Country".

It's the life of leisurely long lunches sitting on the verandah surrounded by beautiful mountains, sipping perfectly aged wine, and savoring the delights of the incredible French quisine—that's what we are truly intrigued by.

The French love living and dining, and that, in itself, is a major contribution to the style found in and outside of their homes that we love best.

French Country

French Mediterranean Style Home

The homes of this region in France are simple and ornate. This style offers a stucco exterior with a hint of limestone all covered by a low profile clay tile roof. The deep-narrow "French" arched doorways and windows flanked with...

...fully functioning shutters that can be opened in the morning to let in the sunlight and closed at night for added privacy.

More rustic in appearance, the furnishings include time-worn painted and un-painted antiques accentuated with lace and brightly colored Provincial fabrics. This form of "French Country" is as relaxed as it is enthralling, and as mystifying as it is confident.

Common features may include:

Stucco exterior with Limestone accentuating the doors, windows and foundation.

Low profile clay tile roofs.

Arched Deep-Narrow French Doors.

Deeply Inset Windows.

Fully functioning Slat-Board or Louvered Shutters.

Wrought Iron work accentuating the Verandah and Balconies.

The interior walls are roughly plastered (Venetian Plaster), and at times wheat straw is mixed in it to make a textured surface.

Exposed timbering in either flat or vaulted ceilings.

Large mantled bulging chimneys over the fireplaces.

Golden yellow and cornflower blue are the most common interior colors of "French Country". You may find either a deep red, French green, or salmon-pink incorporated into patterns as well.

Mediterranean Style

Arched Window and French Doors Porticos, Balconies and Shutters

French Normandy Style Home

Both Normandy and the Loire Valley of France give elements of the "French Country" style that many American Architects are rendering as "French Normandy".

This style is a combination of formal characteristics taken from French-Chateaux and the rustic features familiar with the farmhouses of northern France.

To give an idea of their size, true French Normandy homes were originally built in the range of 5,000 square feet; smaller in scale than the chateaux, but much larger than the country farmhouses of France.

Common French Normandy features may include:

Steeply Pitched Roofs

Half-timbered Exteriors

Brick and Stone work

Turrets

Gabled Dormers

Tall-narrow French Doors and Windows

Traditional Houses of Rural France

French Normandy Style Home

French Provincial Style Home

This revival home takes on features similar to that of the French Normandy style. Rather than having a more chateau appearance, it leans more towards the farmhouse look. A French Provincial style home can best be described as an elegant French farmhouse.

Common French Provincial features may include:

Highly Pitched Hipped or Gable Roof

1-1/2 to 2-1/2 Stories

Dormer Windows Set within Roof Cornice of Second Story

Partially Cantilevered Second Story

Copper Flashing, Slate Shingles and Roof Accents

Tall-Narrow Windows and French Doors

Provence Style: The Art of Home Decoration

http://www.uwec.edu/geography/Ivogeler/w367/styles/s18.htm

Neoclassic Style Home

The eighteenth century brought about a phase of architecture that has been referred to as "Neoclassicism", where specific features were revitalized from the ancient structures of the Greek and Romans, then combined with the interpretations from the English, French and Italian architecture.

This section will cover three popular examples of Neoclassic architecture seen in the United States; the Federalist, the Jeffersonian, and the Greek Revival.

Federalist Style Home

This Neoclassic style is based on the Adamesque designs of combining features popular in England, France, and Rome. The American Federal, first built in the New England area, was modeled after the French architecture built during Napoleon's reign.

Common Federalist features may include:

Either a Low Pitched, or nearly Flat Roof.

A very smooth Facade.

Pediment over Front Entrance.

Columns and Dentil Moldings.

Deck with railing for ornamentation on top of Roof.

Fanlights with Sidelights at Front Door

Single, Double-Hung Windows adorned with Louvered Shutters.

Central Hall Plan

Room shapes were at times circular, octagonal, or oval.

Georgetown Houses of the Federal Period

http://infoeagle.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/cas/fnart/fa267/18house.html

Jeffersonian Style Home

Thomas Jefferson, The United States of America's third president, became well noted for his architectural styles.

A self-taught architect, President Jefferson viewed homes of early America as, "...impossible to devise things more ugly, uncomfortable, and happily more perishable."

Seeking to design homes and buildings with style, comfort and stamina, Thomas Jefferson looked towards the Roman inspired works of architect Andrea Palladio.

Monticello, the home where Jefferson took his last breath, is just one such creation.

Other contributions designed by President Jefferson were portions of the United States White House, as well as many other masterpieces.

Common Jeffersonian features may include:

Pedimented Portico

Smooth Columns

Room shapes include: Circle, Oval or Octagonal

Red Brick Exterior

White Classic Trim and Moldings

Thomas Jefferson: Architect: The Built Legacy of Our Third President

http://infoeagle.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/cas/fnart/fa267/Jeffersn.html

Greek Revival Style Home

English born Benjamin Henry Latrobe, America's first fully trained architect, was well noted for his renditions of the Greek Revival style as well as his work in the additions of the United State Capitol and White House.

In the early nineteenth century Greek Revival took New England and later the Midwest by storm. Its gabled front facade is the most prominent feature of this style, although some homes can be much more ornate than others.

Common Greek Revival features may include:

Rectangular Shape with Gable Front

Large Triangular Pediment

Ionic, Doric, and Corinthian Columns and Pilasters

Sidelights and Transom at Entry

Cornices and Dentils

Louisiana's Plantation Homes: The Grace and Grandeur

http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/cas/fnart/fa267/greekrev.html

Tuscan Farmhouse Style Home (Casa Colonica)

Originating in the Tuscan region of Italy, this style is quite popular in America today.

It is a style that is influenced by the local farmhouses, but is geared more towards the Tuscan lifestyle of entertaining friends and family. These homes are built to accommodate both intimate gatherings and extraordinary power feasts.

The structure is solid and steadfast—it will remain standing for many years into the future. The kitchens are vast for preparing large meals, and the dining room seats several people as it would in the wine country during the seasonal grape harvest.

Common Tuscan Farmhouse features may include:

Abundant Stonework in Structure and in Details

Clay Tiled-Low Profile Gabled Roof

Loggia (Porch with Arched Openings)

Flat Beamed Ceilings in Interior

Rustic Wood Trim Around Windows

Tuscan Elements

Architecture in Tuscany

Italian Villa Style Home

This elaborately styled structure is very ornate and gives off a near Spanish influence. Built as a country home for the wealthy landowner, it is much larger and more ornate than the Tuscan farmhouse.

The Villa was also designed as an escape from the city. A place for the wealthy city dweller to relax and unwind in the beautiful countryside of Italy...

...thus the reason for making the exterior living spaces and gardens significant.

Common Italian Villa features may include:

Castellated Towerhouse

Porticos and/or Loggias

Arched Windows with Hood Ornamentation

Flat, Gabled or Hip Roof

Tall Windows on First Level

Villa Decor: Decidedly French and Italian Style

http://www.boglewood.com/palladio/barbaro.html

Prairie Style Home

This home style is truly and completely an American architectural style. In all my extensive research, I cannot say that I have come across any articles that indicate any discrepancy to that effect. Most popularized by the works of Frank Lloyd Wright, there are many more architects that brought us their own interpretation of this style.

Mr. Wright believed that homes should be more open and less square, as well as melded into its surrounding environment. Take a look at the famous "Fallingwater" as an excellent example of his combining a home within its surroundings:

Go to: http://www.wpconline.org/fallingwaterhome.htm

In the beginning of the 20^th century this style was flourishing and only a few short years later, this style began to evolve.

The Arts and Crafts movement brought ideas for both the American Four-Square and Craftsman style homes, which were both derivatives from the Prairie Style.

If you are intrigued by this style, The Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture continues to give us brilliantly trained architects.

For more information about the school: Go to: http://www.taliesin.edu/

If you are wondering what type of furnishings go with this style of home, the "Mission" style furniture was designed specifically for the "Prairie Style" and goes suitably with all other related styles as well.

Common features may include:

Very Low Pitched Hipped, or Flat Roof

Large Overhanging Eaves

Series of Casement Windows

Open Rooms

Large Balconies

Prairie Style: House and Gardens by Frank Lloyd Wright and the Prairie School

http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/cas/fnart/fa267/20house.html

Southwest Style Home

There is more than one "Southwest" style of architecture. The elements common within this architectural influence is the "Adobe" type construction with "plastered" wall surfaces. Features that distinguish each style apart from one another is their ornamentation, or lack thereof, as well as their shape.

Spanish Colonial Style Home

Homes built by the Spanish Colonists, were originally built in southern areas that we now know to be Florida, California, and states of the Southwest.

An early Southwest design, still admired today, the Spanish Colonial reveals its own beauty through its stature and its grace.

Common Spanish Colonial features may include:

Constructed of either Lime Washed Adobe or Plastered Stone Walls

Monolithic Walls with Baroque Ornamentation

Exposed Timbers to Visualize Roof Supports

Roof Design of either a Flat Roof with arched parapet or Gabled Roof with Terra Cotta Tiles

Bell Towers

Presidio, Mission, and Pueblo: Spanish Architecture and Urbanism in the United States

http://www.huntingtoncounty.org/architecture/spanish.htm

Spanish Colonial Revival Style Home "California Mission"

As with the Colonial Revival, the Spanish Colonial Revival is derived from several architectural styles; although from different regions.

Choice elements have been taken from both the Mediterranean world as seen in Spanish and Italian church architecture...

...then combined with the Hopi and Pueblo Indian adobes from south-west North America.

Common features may include:

White plastered stone or Lime washed Adobe

Red Roof Tiles

Hipped or Gabled Roof

Courtyards with Arched Entrances

Ironwork Embellished on Windows

Red Tile Style: America's Spanish Revival Architecture

California Colonial

http://www.edstravelstories.com/trips/sept2002pointlobos.htm

http://www.architect.com/Publish/Trad_Build.html

http://www.goss.com/mohpg/01spanis.htm

Spanish-Pueblo Style Home, "Santa-Fe"

Stemming from the utilization of area materials melded with the architectural styles from the Spanish Adobe and Pueblo Indian cliff dwellings, this style we know as "Santa-Fe" was born.

More simplistic and less ornate than the Spanish Colonial, the Santa-Fe style continues to be popular today—with the additions of a few modern conveniences.

Common Santa Fe features may include:

Single Story Adobe Structure

Rounded Corners on Walls and Window Ledges

Flat Roof

Exterior Walls Extend above Roof Line

Exposed Roof Timbers

Interior Courtyards

Porticos at Front and Back Entrances

Santa Fe Style

Interested in this style? You just might like this modern Santa-Fe Solar Adobe! Click on: http://www.desertusa.com/mag00/jul/stories/croad.html

Victorian Style Home

The Victorian home is not just one specific style, it is several different styles that have evolved during the reign of England's Queen Victoria, hence "Victorian".

In early America, the wealthy, and not so wealthy, sought a high standing within society. Victorian "Socialites" often viewed one's home as a fashion statement.

Therefore, homes of this era became more intricate in the details of its structure and ornamentations.

America's Painted Ladies: The Ultimate Celebration of Our Victorians

http://www.victorianstation.com/vicarch.html

http://www.enteract.com/~scndempr/dave/school.html

Folk Victorian Style Home

Most everyone in the Victorian era, rich or not, wanted their home to make a statement. For those families that were not so fortunate in their wealth, the Folk style suited them fine.

Often designed by either the homeowner or a local carpenter in effort to refrain the expense of a professional architect, this style took on several characteristics from the wealthiest of Victorian homes.

Common Folk Victorian features may include:

Smaller and Less Ornate of the Victorians

Jigsaw Cut Trim

Ornamental Brackets Under Roof Eaves

Spindle-work on Porches

http://www.for.nau.edu/~twp/architecture/folkvictorian.html

Gothic Revival Style Home

A Revival reminiscent of the medieval churches built in France and England, the cottage version of a Victorian style home has been handed down to us from the traditions of A.J. Downing. His recreation of the Gothic Style became quite popular within the United States.

Considered a romantic style, the Gothic has one distinct characteristic not seen in any other form of architecture—its windows.

Common Gothic Revival features may include:

Windows Arch to a Central Point

1, 1-1/2, and 2 Stories

Steep Gable Over Front Entry

Batten and Board Siding

Extensive Vergeboard (Bargeboard) Ornamentation

Go to: http://realviews.com/architecture/homes/gothic.html

Italianate Style Home

This style exceeding the popularity of the Gothic Revival during the early Victorian Period.

One of the most obvious telltale signs of the Italiante style is its carved corbels—brackets under the roof eaves.

The Italianate style home was influenced by the beautiful villas of the Italian countryside.

A.J. Downing's renditions of this style are prevalent in the U.S and are frequently embellished with features seen in both the Tuscan and Lombard regions of Italy.

Common Italianate features may include:

Flat or Low-pitched Roofs

Heavy Corbels (often seen in pairs)

Square Tower or Copula

Carved Window Ornamentation

Balustraded Balconies

Either Portico, Loggia, or Porches

Go to http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/~twp/architecture/italiante/

Queen Anne Style Home

When picturing a true "Victorian" home, the Queen Anne style home is what is often envisioned.

This style is an elaborate and exquisite example of femininity that graces the nuance of its landscape.

Dressed fully with decorative trimmings, turned spindlework, corbels, turrets, balconies and stained glass, this structure is more than a home—it is a showplace.

Common Queen Anne features may include: