The Federal Victorian house style came from the commingling of two architectural styles. It was a new style that kept characteristics of each of its parents.                           

Federal House Styles
The Federal Age started about 1780, just a few short years after the end of the Revolutionary War. A federal house would be two to three stories, either in the shape of a square or a rectangle. These homes are symmetrical, with the front door in the center front of the house. The facades of the houses would be of brick or clapboard. The roofs are peaked. These houses have a formal, classical appearance and feel to them and can include features from Greek and Roman architecture, such as urns, columns and garlands.

Victorian House Styles
The Victorian Style started coming into its own around 1837. These houses were usually at least two stories. However, Victorian houses are much different than Federal homes. While Federal homes are rectangular or boxy in shape, Victorian homes can be quite asymmetrical in appearance, almost looking “unplanned” in comparison. In addition, Victorian homes can be much more colorful and include more decorative features than Federal homes.

Federal Victorian House Style Combination
The Italianate style is an example of the melding of the Federal and Victorian house styles. Italianate style houses were originally two to three stories high with flat or low pitched roofs. Italianate houses kept some of the formal features of Federal houses, such as classical columns and arches. However, these houses could be asymmetrical as well as symmetrical in design. In addition, the decorative features of this type of house were more ornate than those of Federal houses. Today, Italianate houses are enjoying a resurgence in popularity due to their romantic appearances.