The peak period for Queen Anne-style architecture was 1880 to 1900, although the style persisted until around 1910. The style was named and popularized in England by the architect Richard Norman Shaw (1831-1912) and his followers. The term inaccurately implies aesthetic ideas from the reign of Queen Anne (1702-1714). However, it’s based on earlier English buildings, mainly those constructed during the Elizabethan (1558-1603) and Jacobean (1603-1625) eras.
H.H. Richardson’s Watts-Sherman house, built in Newport, Rhode Island, in 1874, was an American architect’s first notable expression of the style. But many Americans were first introduced to the Queen Anne style at the Philadelphia Centennial in 1875, where the British government built several houses in that style.
As with other ornate Victorian-era architecture, the Queen Anne style shines in detached, single-family homes that showcase its sculptural shapes and ornamentation. These houses are typically constructed of wood, allowing the designer unfettered artistic expression in the patterns and details that define the style.
Bold and unconventional color schemes are a Queen Anne trait, examples of which can be seen in San Francisco’s famous Painted Ladies. The decorative details on most Queen Anne-style homes in Washington, DC, and other large eastern cities tend to be more subdued because of the urban preference for patterned brick and carved stone.
Thanks to a building boom during the late 19th century, many Queen Anne townhouses were built in DC; fortunately, many still survive. Round towers, broad decorative gables, and elaborate Queen Anne chimneys, dormers, and windows are showcased on homes in Capitol Hill, Georgetown, Dupont Circle, and elsewhere.
You’ll find many highly decorative examples of Queen Anne homes on Newark Street and in the Cleveland Park area. The historic district around West Montgomery Avenue in Rockville, MD, also boasts excellent examples of Queen Anne homes built on generous lots.
More Features of the Queen Anne Style
If you’ve spotted a Queen Anne around DC or suspect your home has Queen Anne-style architecture, consider more of the characteristics, materials, and features used in this historic style.
Are you interested in learning more details about Queen Anne-style architecture? Check out more architecture terminology!
Queen Anne Remodeling in VA, MD & DC
Queen Anne is one of the most distinctive historic styles, loved for its bright colors and whimsical, eclectic features. If you’re lucky enough to live in a Queen Anne-style home, you may be ready to expand the kitchen, add a bathroom, or replace the floors. Team up with Wentworth, and we’ll help you update your home for the 21st century without losing any historic charm. Here are some of our specialties:
- Queen Anne home remodeling: The Wentworth team can help you add functionality, beauty, and efficiency to any room in your home.
- Queen Anne home additions: Want to add an extra room or an entirely new wing? Build an attached garage? Construct a sunroom? Whatever you have in mind, our team will carefully design and build every aspect to match your existing historical home.
- Queen Anne interior reconfigurations: Work with Wentworth to knock down walls, add or relocate staircases, or repurpose wasted space to make your living area work better for your family.
- Custom Queen Anne detailing: From replacing broken doorknobs and stair railings to adding intricate crown molding, we’ll work within the confines of the Queen Anne style while restoring the damaged parts of your home.
- Queen Anne interior design services: No home remodel is complete without our interior design services to tie it all together!
- Façade enhancements in the Queen Anne style: If the outside of your home has fallen into disrepair, trust our knowledgeable team to restore it while remaining historically accurate.
Check out this Queen Anne townhouse remodel that Wentworth recently completed, and browse the rest of our portfolio for more ideas. Then, contact us to discuss your home renovation!
Frequently Asked Questions
How difficult is it to replace curved glass windows?
This task requires specialized knowledge and a highly customized window, but Wentworth is up to the challenge. We partner with some of the best window suppliers and are confident we can do the job. You can expect improved energy efficiency and lower utility bills with new windows.
How common is lead-based paint in Queen Anne homes?
Around the turn of the 20th century, Americans began switching from wallpaper to painting interior walls. The “germ theory of disease” was becoming common knowledge, and the general public feared that wallpaper could harbor germs. On the other hand, paint could be washed, and lead paint, in particular, could be scrubbed vigorously with soap and water. Lead-based paint was also standard on exteriors to prevent wood rot and rusty metal. So if your Queen Anne home still has some original paint or was remodeled before 1978, lead-based paint could be present.
Can Wentworth recreate Queen Anne-style facade elements?
If the patterned brick, stone, or wood on your home’s exterior shows its age, our specialists will assess whether these elements can be restored or if it’s best to replace them. Either way, rest assured that our dedicated craftsmen are experts at recreating historically accurate exterior enhancements.
How do I choose new light fixtures for my Queen Anne-style home?
As you can imagine, an art deco ceiling pendant would look out of place in an accurately appointed Queen Anne-style building. Yet older homes needing restoration can quickly end up with mismatched lighting that post-dates the rest of the architecture. Fortunately, it’s easy to stay true to the style if you know what to look for, such as intricate bronze chandeliers and glass shades etched with delicate motifs. Don’t worry — our team will suggest beautiful, functional light fixtures that blend seamlessly with the rest of the interior.
