Federal Style Doorways

The door is simple but the ornamentation around it is grand.
Federal style doorways. A fanlight ornamentation above the door was also common. The federal style house was a triumph of simplicity and classically refined ornament. The entrance of a federal style house screams wealth. Tall order photo by mark lohman.
A different george w. Was president when americans first tweaked european house styles to create something distinctly their own. Occasionally a side door may include a large area of glass. These british architects distilled the great elements of the preceding georgian style balance and symmetry with elements of.
The term federal style is used interchangeably with the terms adam style and adamesque this is because this period of design was hugely influenced by the work of robert adam and his brother james. It suited the hopes and desires of an emerging nation. The period just after the revolutionary war 1780 1820 was a time to project hard won dignity not show off. An elliptical fanlight or fan shaped window tops the door with long rectangular windows on either side.
The most common window configuration is five on the second story and four on the first. As the country progressed into the 1820s new aspirations arose giving way as they always do to a new style the greek revival more massive heroic in scale than the delicate fanlights and ovals of the. Federal style homes typically emphasize the cornice with decorative molding most typically tooth like dentils or block like projections. These semicircular or elliptical details would often feature a window to bring in additional light above paneled doors.
These often had pedimented tops patterned after those on ancient temples as well as stacked moldings with dentil interlocking greek key or beaded designs. For example exterior decoration in federal styles and designs is generally confined to a porch or entry element. Side doors share panel designs similar to main entry doors although the side doors are slightly narrower. Federal style architecture often showcases geometrical concepts.
Windows are symmetrically arranged around a central door. Georgian federal style homes typically have one main entry door although there can be numerous auxiliary doors leading to patios decks the backyard or a side yard. Federal style photo by tria giovan. Many federal style design elements are notably understated.
Among the most decorative door entablatures were those in georgian and federal style houses built around 1800 as well as in later greek revivals. Tall slender columns or pilasters frame the entrance. Compared to a georgian house the columns and moldings in federal architecture are narrow and rather simple.