Red brick walls often truck-pointed, i.e. a ridge of white mortar ran along the joints between the bricks.

Dominant roofs, often broken by false gables and capped by terra cotta frilled ridges

Turned timber verandah columns supplemented by elaborate timber decoration

Bay windows

After the recession of the 1890’s, Federation saw a growth in prosperity and more freedom in style, incorporating practicality with elegance. New suburbs appeared with the extension of rail, tram and ferry services, and terraces gave way to single storied detached houses or the semi-detached pair of houses.

The houses were influenced very much by Art Nouveau which became fashionable at this time. The curved forms and floral motifs of this style in plaster, leadlight, wood and wrought iron enhanced the doors, windows and verandahs of many houses. The style was modified to utilise Australian decorative themes by incorporating native flowers and animals.

After 1910 the curved forms gave way to heavy and squared off timber details on verandahs and gables. Smaller panes at the top and bottom of windows often featured coloured glass.