Typical Trim for a Cape-Style Window

Origins

• The cape-style home actually has been around since the 18th century. British settlers adapted their half-timbered English homes to deal with the rough cold weather of New England's long winters. The English home model on which the cape is built contained a central hall and parlor. Most homes contain a stone or brick fireplace, as well.

Features

• The floor plan of these homes is rectangular and usually consists of one and a half stories. They are built specifically for small families. They can be sided in brick, stucco or clapboard for a variety of looks. The roof is typically steeply sloped to help deal with heavy snow and ice and contains gables or dormers. The attics were often originally left unfinished to save costs, allowing the home owners to finish at their own pace as budgets allowed.

Windows

• The windows of cape-style homes are usually multipaned and double-hung to keep out the cold weather. They are also typically arranged around a central door in a symmetrical fashion, giving the overall home a look and feel of balance. The trim around the windows on the exterior of the home is shutters, most often in a dark color that contrasts with the siding. For instance, dark blue or green on white siding might be used. The shutters give the home the cape-style appearance as much as the floor plan or the dormered roof.

Interior

• Once inside the home, the interior decoration is subject to the inhabitant's individual tastes. Window and door trim of any style is acceptable according to the homeowner's tastes and decorating scheme. It is common to find hardwood floors in the original cape home blueprints, but even this feature is subject to the person living in the home.