Years ago I purchased a book entitled "A Field Guide to American Houses by Virginia & Lee McAlester. This guide has photographs and drawings of every architectural house style in America (rich or poor and in-between) from pioneer dugouts, ranch style, octagon houses to Victorian mansions.
If you are interested in designing your gingerbread house with actual architectural themes, this book is a must have. Every architectural style for window design, door types, eves, porches, roof styles, etc. A Field Guide to American Houses contains a plethora of information to provide an endless source of gingerbread house designing fun!
