Colonial Revival vs Queen Anne

Queen Anne is the cross-discipline counterpart of Colonial Revival — its later 'Free Classic' phase introduced classical columns, forming a transition toward Colonial Revival.

Craven-Bassett House, Buffalo — Colonial Revival

Colonial Revival

An American revival of Georgian and Federal colonial-era building — symmetrical brick or clapboard façades, a centered classically framed entrance, and balanced rows of multi-paned, shuttered windows.

  • Strictly symmetrical façade organized about a central axis
  • Accentuated central entrance with pediment, fanlight, or portico
  • Balanced rows of double-hung, multi-paned windows with shutters
  • Side-gabled or hipped roof with classical cornice detailing (dentils)
  • Brick or clapboard walls with white-painted classical trim
Full Colonial Revival guide →
Carson Mansion, Eureka — Queen Anne

Queen Anne

The exuberant high-Victorian style of asymmetrical towers, wraparound porches, and richly textured surfaces — prizing picturesque variety over rule-bound order.

  • Asymmetrical massing with corner turrets and projecting bays
  • Steeply pitched, irregular rooflines with multiple front gables
  • Expansive wraparound porches with turned posts and spindlework
  • Contrasting wall textures: clapboard, shingles, half-timbering, masonry
  • Tall, ornamented chimneys and decorative gable detailing
Full Queen Anne guide →

At a glance

Colonial RevivalQueen Anne
Era1876–19551870–1910
DisciplineArchitectureArchitecture
RegionUnited States, CanadaUnited Kingdom, United States, Australia
FamilyRevivalVictorian
Formal traitssymmetrical, central-entry, shuttered, dentil-corniceturreted, porched, textured, gabled

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