5 Most Common New England Home Styles
If you live in New England, chances are your home is one of these 5 styles.
1: Georgian/Federal circa 1750-1850
Distinguishing 5 bay facade in brick or clapboard. Follows simple, no-frills, classical orders. It is all about balance and symmetry.
Federal was the name given by the newly formed US to distinguish it from the Georgian style named after the British Monarchy. An evolution of the Georgian style with more elaborate details like fanlights and gamble roof rather than hipped-roof Georgians
2. Greek Revival circa 1760-1860
Romantic style, most easily distinguished by large, two-story columns in front facade, resembling civic buildings from Classical Greece. Details were mostly simple, with emphasis placed on columns and pediment. Simple rectangular shaped footprint.
3. Victorian circa 1840-1900
Second Empire: tall, narrow proportions with mansard roofs, following the in-vogue Parisian architecture developed by Haussman
Queen Anne: a revival of the English Baroque style with corner turrets and elaborate detailed mouldings and shingle shapes
Shingle: found along the New England coastal resort towns. And, revived today, back in style, especially in New England Coastal Towns (cape cod and islands and Maine). Original style evolved from Queen Anne with less ornate decorations and large banks of windows to take in views. Large porches, large dormer windows, including eyebrow windows. Proportions were more elongated horizontally than previous, more vertically inclined Victorian styles.
Other Victorian styles not discussed: Stick, Romanesque, Edwardian
4. Arts and Crafts circa 1890-1945
Colonial Revival: by far the most common surviving style. A revival of the Georgian colonials of the previous century and still revived today. More liberties were taken with symmetry and shape of windows and roof. Borrowing from other styles.
Tudor Revival: Part of the colonial revival style, Revived from the British late Medieval style with stucco, brick and timber.
Bungalow, Four-Square Craftsman
5. International Style AND Contemporary circa 1930-present
With an advance in technology and availability of new and less expensive material, architects were able to create bold new forms and styles that fit more seamlessly with the needs of the inhabitants. This was the most dramatic evolution in the cycle of reactionary design; which broke the mold of classic forms and rules of the past. The Gropius house, pictured below, is a perfect example of the Bauhaus style, in Lincoln.
Contact the Penney + Gould Team to have knowledgeable real estate agents who can:
· Translate your home’s architectural significance to potential buyers.
· Identify specific architectural details during your home search.
· Recommend renovations that are in-line with your home's period.
Our Mission is to Help Everyone Find Their Place in the World- Penney + Gould Team, Compass