Architectural Quiz

When we use the term Victorian, we are actually referring to a specific time period known as the Victorian Era (1840–1900). During the British reign of Queen Victoria (1837–1901), various housing types like Second Empire, Gothic Revival, and Queen Anne were at the height of popularity. The intricate features of those homes have now become synonymous with the term Victorian. The gingerbread trim, round turret (tower), and stone details are features we now commonly associate with Victorian architecture.

These striking homes are immediately recognizable by their clean lines and angular composition. This style emerged during the mid- 20th Century, and the homes were typically designed to incorporate the surrounding landscape. The non-traditional mixture of stone, brick, and cement set them apart. Exposed wood beams both on the interior and exterior were common. The Mid-Century Modern homes, built between 1950 and 1970, were often one-story homes with large expanses of glass in the front or back of the home. The style, sometimes referred to as Contemporary, has seen a recent resurgence in popularity.

Idyllic storybook cottages are actually called Cotswold Cottages, named after the Cotswold region in England. Also known as Tudor Cottages, these houses are usually built of stone or brick and have dramatic, sloping, thatched roofs. A predominant chimney can usually be seen on the front or side of the home, along with small, arched doors. This popular subtype of the Tudor Revival became popular in America in the 1920s and 1930s.

The American Craftsman style was an extension of the British Arts and Crafts movement.
Named for the magazine in which it was featured, The Craftsman, the style was defined at the turn of the 20th Century by the magazine’s publisher, architect, and furniture designer, Gustav Stickley. A classic Craftsman has a low-slung gabled roof with overhanging eaves and a front porch that spans the entire width of the front of the home, flanked by pedestal-like tapered columns. Intricate woodwork on the interiors and built-in elements, like bookshelves and closets, are common.

The term Colonial can get a bit confusing. Colonial architecture includes several different building styles that were popular during the 1700s in America’s Colonial period: French Colonial, Spanish Colonial, Dutch Colonial, Cape Cod, Salt Box, and Georgian. The housing types varied by region and wealth—from simple to ornate. The homes we now correlate with the term Colonial are very symmetrical, square- shaped homes with two levels of double-hung windows, comprised of small, square panes.