The new style was a more restrained interpretation of the Georgian house. Federal houses are characterized by balance, symmetry and elegance. The most common plan was a simple rectangle; however more complex houses were composed of a central block with flanking wings.
Federal houses have few elaborations besides the front entry area, but they may include embellishments such as flat or raised lintels over the rectilinear windows and roof-line balustrades.
Americans embraced the Federal style as they believed it provided an appropriate architecture for both commoners and the privileged.
Federal style is associated with both Antebellum and Colonial eras.
