Dollhouse Architectural Styles

Cape Cod
The Cape Cod house (c.1675-1950) was popular in the Northeast and was strategically built to withstand long winters. The roof has a steep pitch with a slight overhang to protect the house from heavy snows, and the centrally located chimney is connected to all of the fireplaces in each room. This style includes 1 to 1 1/2 stories, with living space often in the attic. One of New England's most significant contributions to American architecture, this style was modeled after a familiar English home and adapted to our colder climates.

Colonial Colonial styles have undergone many changes over the last few centuries. These square, symmetrical homes were popular during the years between 1690 and 1830. Many modern homes are still inspired by colonial aspects. Their rooftops range from a medium to steep pitch, depending on whether the area had a lot of snow. The front door is often located at the center of Colonial homes. This style was used by well-to-do New Englanders who wanted to convey a sense of dignity and prestige with their homes. Mansard The Mansard style (c. 1550-1870) has a special roof that allows for extra living space on the top floor. Each side of the roof has two separate slopes. The lower slope is much steep, and the upper slope is often not seen from the ground because it looks so flat.

Plantation
Characteristically found in the American South, Plantation homes express grandeur and elegance. Typical features of these homes include impressive Greek columns supporting beautiful balconies for shade during hot Southern days. Magnificent staircases grace the high-ceiling interiors and were perfect for showcasing the descent of the Scarlett O'Hara ladies of the early 1800s.

Tudor
Tudor style houses are modeled after the English architectural style of the early 16th century. The actual Tudor houses had visible, diagonally-braced framework with tar on the lumber to help protect it from rotting, and the insulating filler was made from small sticks and clay. Today, Tudor style houses use half-timber decoration on their exteriors.

Victorian
Extremely decorative, Victorian architecture is often a grandiose, asymmetrical display of wraparound porches, gingerbread trim, gabled roofs, bay windows, and even bright colors. This home style uses various types of siding, including stucco, clapboard, and board and baton. Windows vary in size and shape. Often two stories, Victorian houses are topped off with steep roofs and multiple chimneys.

Queen Anne
Queen Anne architecture is a type of Victorian home, so it is highly decorative and was very popular among designers in the early 1900s. Many materials were available because of the Industrial Revolution, so architects took advantage of the opportunity and added many parts to the Queen Anne homes. The various elements were plentiful and organized in interesting ways. Porch posts were delicately turned spindles. Decorative trim, various textures, and an asymmetrical design with domed towers were common features.