The Rocky's expert helps you identify classic home styles in and around Denver

By Mary Voelz Chandler, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published January 2, 2009 at 3 p.m.

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The George Schleier Mansion in the 1600 block of Grant Street exemplifies the Queen Anne Victorian style.

A classic example of a Georgian revival is the Campbell-McKinley House in the 900 block of Logan Street.

The Thompson-Allen House in the 900 block of Logan Street fits Neoclassical to a "T."

This home in the 800 block of South Downing Street is a perfect example of the beloved Bungalow.

The Frank Milton House in the 3400 block of Federal Boulevard is a stunning example of Mid-century Modern.

A classic Denver Square is the John Doud House in the 700 block of Lafayette Street.

The clean lines of The Casper Hegner house define its International Style.

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What exactly does this language mean?:

* Tuscan-styled.

* California Mediterranean-styled.

* Spanish Mediterranean-styled.

When you see such terms popping up in real estate ads, they pretty much mean nothing except a writer's urge to splurge on a big first impression.

Tuscan? What is Tuscan? It is everywhere, yet conveys almost no meaning, which makes you wonder: What has the beautiful region of Tuscany done to us to deserve this?

What's a villa? A chateau (sometimes referred to as chateau-esque)? It's usually nothing like the real housing types found thousands of miles away.

The florid descriptions of housing styles are a staple of sales literature, though a recent scan of various advertising sections showed more emphasis on reduced prices, available financing and those old standbys, granite countertops and stainless-steel appliances.

But the Tuscan, California Mediterranean (a geography teacher's nightmare) or Spanish Mediterranean ad-speak is still around. Here's a sampling of architectural terms that actually bring something to the conversation - besides confusion.

Mary Voelz Chandler is the art and architecture critic. Chandlerm@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-2677

Neoclassical or Neoclassical Revival

The elegant lines and stately columns of Greek and Roman temples are Classical. When European and American architects began to borrow those stylistic elements, the style became Neoclassical. It's been popular in this country since Thomas Jefferson designed a Virginia state capitol (and other structures) that looked like a Greek temple. The essence of the style is: Put a column on it, and, for the most part, it's Neoclassical. The Thompson-Allen House in the 900 block of Logan Street, designed by Varian and Sterner, fits Neoclassical to a "T."

Tudor

This romantic architectural form drew upon academic principles and medieval longings. Tudor homes feature details such as half-timbering, a steeply pitched roof and, often, elaborately laid bricks that produce stand-out patterning. This example of Tudor (with some elements of English cottage style) is the Arthur Fisher House in the 100 block of Gilpin Street. It was designed by architect Fisher, a partner with his brother William in the noted firm of Fisher and Fisher.

Bungalow

The bungalow is a beloved style in many Denver neighborhoods, a true home for the people. But the term itself has been used indiscriminately to describe anything small and compact, that is, as a synonym for a simple cottage. "Bungalow" has a real meaning, a term derived from homes found in the Indian province of Bengal. (For more on that, check out ambungalow.com.) Significant details of a bungalow are the traditionally generous front porch and the simple columns that support the roof. There are variations in the style, in terms of roofline, but a key feature is a low, snug profile. Many carry Craftsman details, elements that recall the Arts and Crafts Movement. This home is in the 800 block of South Downing Street.

Victorian

Queen Victoria ruled for a long time, and the descriptive label derived from her name covers a multitude of building styles, from Queen Anne to Italianate to the catchall Victorian eclectic.

In a Queen Anne home, that means a feeling of abundance, with a variety of sprawling roof lines and gables, often coming together in a turret and dome. That's the case with the George Schleier Mansion, in the 1600 block of Grant Street, which has the presence of a small village in one building. Frank Edbrooke designed the residence, recently used as office space.

In an Italianate home, look for a sense of the vertical, in the overall structure as well as in its windows. In the Clements Rowhouse, a series of townhomes in the 2200 block of Glen- arm Place, the facade is simple, though the windows sport prominent caps and the cornice line is elaborate in detail and weight. The architect is not known.

Georgian

Another revival style harks back to this country's long dealings with the various Kings George, in which the Mother Country's taste for formalism and symmetry influenced the architecture of the colonies well into the 20th century. The entryway is often accentuated. The standout detail in this home, the Campbell-McKinley House in the 900 block of Logan Street, is a large, almost aggressive portico at the entry, as well as keystoned windows on the upper level. It was designed by Frederick J. Sterner, who played a role in creating, with his partner Lester Varian, the two homes to the south.

Modern

Mid-century Modern is a term that applies to a period in the 20th century in which design became more about form and materials than applied ornamentation.

Think in terms of two variations here: The Prairie and Usonian. The second term, coined by architect Frank Lloyd Wright, grew out of the first. In both instances, however, there is a reliance on deep eaves, the play of the horizontal with the vertical. The Frank Milton House, in the 3400 block of Federal Boulevard, is a good example of this. Designed by Glen W. Huntington, this Prairie-style home features two strong, stacked horizontal volumes set off by predominantly vertical windows and other elements.

Then there is the International Style, defined by aspects such as clean lines and the lack of decorative elements. The Casper Hegner house, in the 2300 block of East Dakota Avenue, is as sleek as a speeding train, with ribbon windows on the front facade and no ornamentation. Architect Hegner designed the house.

American Foursquare/Denver Square

The Denver Square - this city's name for the basic American Foursquare - is the workhorse of the city's historic housing stock. After the Silver Crash of 1893, the highly detailed Victorian styles were supplanted by the less-fussy (thus less-expensive) Square. It's usually four up and four down, in terms of rooms, in a typically square house. There can be variations in trim, but the layout and intent remain the same. This example is the John Doud House in the 700 block of Lafayette Street. The childhood home of Mamie Doud Eisenhower was designed by Edwin Moorman.

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