As the name suggests, Cape Cod style originated in the Massachusetts colony, and its particularities revolve around the harsh New England coastal climate. It’s known for a steep roof that easily sheds rain and snow, a central chimney serving a large hearth that warmed the whole house, and a rectangular shape, with cedar shingles on the exterior. It fell out of favor by the 1800s, so most of the original Cape Cod homes were renovated beyond recognition or demolished long ago. What we see today is mostly the product of a Cape Cod revival that started in the 1920s and exploded just after World War II.
Georgian Colonial (1690s – 1830)

Born in the wake of America’s independence in 1776, Federal style reflects a desire at the time to shrug off European and British influences in favor of a uniquely American aesthetic. Some iconic examples include Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello estate, the White House, and other government buildings built in that era. Just as the country’s leaders looked to Ancient Greece and Rome as models for government, architects chose elements from those historical styles as Federal influences, as seen in the columns and colonnades. Greek Revival (1825 – 1860)

Though no less grand, Italianate style represented a somewhat more relaxed approach to architecture. Nearly always two stories or taller, these homes featured low-pitched roofs, wide overhanging eaves, large decorative brackets, tall narrow windows with arches or cur...