c. 1890–1920

Denver Square built-ins & bookcases

Denver's take on the American Foursquare: a boxy brick house with a hipped roof and front porch, and a practical, lightly classical interior of oak trim, built-in buffets and simple mantels.

Because so much of that millwork came from national catalogs, period catalogs like Curtis Woodwork are the best guide to what belongs in these houses. Restoring or extending a Denver Square works best when every room shares the same casing, door and built-in profiles.

Built-ins are the most characteristic feature of older houses: bookcases beside a fireplace, window seats, inglenooks, built-in sideboards and china closets. They make storage part of the architecture.