Have you ever wondered what the difference was between Georgian and Federal? Want to know if your house is shingle-style or stick?  AskTheArchitect.org, run by local architect Bruce Wentworth of Wentworth Studio, explains the history and identifying characteristics of the 12 most popular architectural styles found in the Washington area. You can see pictures of Italianate mansions in Georgetown, American bungalows in Cleveland Park, Art Decos in Silver Spring, and Tudors in Wesley Heights.

Although anyone considering a renovation would certainly have to do more in-depth research, this site offers useful information about the challenges of remodeling and preserving certain styles. Wentworth talks about seamlessly remodeling the kitchen and family room of a center-hall Colonial, renovating a 1920’s Tudor, and adding a second story to a single-story Folk Victorian without losing the home’s classic look.