Preferably Preserved: The Whimsical Queen Anne

These are the homes that catch your eye as you drive along - with fanciful towers, porches, and colorful paint schemes - they cry out "Notice me!"  

According to McAlester's, "A field guide to American Houses," the Queen Anne was the dominant stye of domestic building from about 1880 to 1900, and through the first decade of the 20th century. Less common in the northeast outside of resort areas, the style also tended to be less decorative and more restrained - possibly in keeping with old time New England tastes.  

Nevertheless - there are key hallmarks that can be easily identified in the originals and newer reproductions. Decorative detailing was used in abundance to add texture to the exterior surfaces. In the beautiful circa 1890 example pictured here, we can see many of the original classic details that American builders incorporated into their designs.

Here we see the typical steeply pitched roof, asymmetric facade, side and rear facing gables, side and front porches and the prominent eye catching, polygonal tower. Steeps roofs are perfectly suited for the heavy snows of Massachusetts which may have contributed to the style's popularity. In addition, the always asymetrical design lends itself well to modern additions. In this home, the unknown architect thoughtfully extended the original cross gable design in the rear and added a period appropriate bay window.

While the trim surrounding the large windows is vey simple, there are many other elements that add interest and dimension. In this home, we have decorative rounded shingles on the second story as well as overhangs between the first and second levels accented by the red paint. While the two porches here are distinct - one can easily imagine them being extended to wrap around the two story tower.

This home also features a stained glass window with the very common Queen Anne design of smaller glass squares arranged around a larger center. Most original windows would have been designed with a single large pane of glass. In this home most of the front facing windows have survived intact with ther original imperfect glass - protected by modern storms.

For those antique lovers looking for a home with personality, the Queen Anne Vicotrian style fits the bill and looks charming in any neighbrhood.