Edwardian style is a type of British architecture and interior design that emerged in the early 20th century under the reign of King Edward VII (1901-1910). This style is a combination of traditional British styles, along with elements of baroque, neoclassical, and classical forms.
It was most popular in England during this period, but it carries over to North America and other parts of the world.
Edwardian style is identified by characteristics such as symmetry, strong vertical lines, and ornate details. The elements of design are certainly more elaborate than the preceding Victorian era. This style combines neoclassical and formal Georgian style elements, but has softer curves and more ornamental detailing.
The colors and fabrics of this period become more delicate, with pastels common on walls and banisters, and more monochromatic schemes common in fabrics, often featuring floral and nature-inspired motifs.
The most famous and popular house built in Edwardian style is, perhaps, the White House located in Washington D. C. , built in the late 1800s. This residence is a departure from the Beaux-Arts style of the other buildings on the National Mall, yet features many of the Edwardian decorative motifs.
In general, Edwardian style is identified by a refined, elegance that takes subtle influences from the past, and is comfortable living in the modern world.
How would you describe Edwardian architecture?
Edwardian architecture is a style of architecture popular in the United Kingdom during the reign of King Edward VII (1901 to 1910). Characteristics of the style reflect an admiration of the English Arts and Crafts Movement, the modern aesthetic of the late-Victorian period, and a taking of inspiration from the architecture of Europe and America’s east coast.
Edwardian architecture has a less ornate feel than its Victorian cousins and incorporates more open façades, visible roof lines, and simplified ornamentation. Predominant materials for construction include terracotta, brick, stucco, and weatherboarding.
Structures may have simple, bracketed cornices, sloping hipped roofs, and display smaller bands of stained glass. The inside is often characterized by a Scandinavian look including whitewashed walls, light oak flooring, and mission-style furniture.
Edwardian-style homes are often characterized as “unpretentious” and “homely”. Buildings from this period are found all over London, Manchester, and elsewhere in the United Kingdom.
What colour were Edwardian houses?
Edwardian houses were typically painted in the same range of colors that were popular during the Victorian era. This includes lighter pastels, such as ivory and baby blue, as well as deeper shades like sage green, dark brown, and olive.
These colors were often used to create contrast between exterior shutters and trim, and were accentuated with decorative copper or bronze elements. For the more affluent homeowners, they had the option of adding a vibrant color to the exterior of the house such as Wades Red or Indian Red, which created a striking look.
Inside the home, many restoring their Edwardian look may opt for a more modern neutral tone such as warm beige or ice white.
What’s the difference between Victorian and Edwardian homes?
The main difference between Victorian and Edwardian homes lies in their architecture. The Victorians are famed for their ornate and striking aesthetic, and many of their homes reflected this. Typically, this included intricately-designed features such as bay windows, turrets and balconies.
In contrast, Edwardian homes had simpler and more classic designs with less frills and fussy details. Another key difference is in the technology used in their construction. Whereas Victorian homes often relied on traditional methods of construction, Edwardian homes could make use of innovative new materials, such as steel and electricity, that became available at the time.
In terms of interior design, decorative features such as high ceilings, dark wood paneling and painted glass panels were popular in Victorian homes, while Edwardian homes went for a much more contemporary style, often incorporating bright colors and lighter furniture.
What colours did Victorians paint their houses?
In the Victorian era, people used a range of bright, bold colours to paint their homes. Traditionally, house exteriors were painted with warm colours with a base of ochre, which included shades of yellow, brown, red, and orange.
Popular exterior shades included yellows such as mustard, gold, and honey, and reds such as brick, terra cotta, rust, and burnt umber. Some Victorians also liked to paint contrasting trim in white, gray, and even classic navy blue.
In addition to their classic bold colour palettes, some Victorians also experimented with bright, vivid hues of blues, greens, purples and oranges. These were usually used in the details to highlight elements such as doors, shutters, and eaves.
Inside the house, Victorians put an emphasis on lighter shades and cooler colours such as sky blues and pale pinks. The majority of interior paints were typically white, off-white, cream, or some variation of beige and gray.
How do I know if my house is Victorian or Edwardian?
Establishing whether your house is Victorian or Edwardian is largely dependent on when it was built.
Victorian style houses generally refer to properties that were built between 1837 and 1901, during the reign of Queen Victoria. These homes typically had a symmetrical facade, ornamental stone or brick detailing, and a slate roof.
Common interior features include high ceilings, panelled doors, intricate plasterwork, and decorative ceramic tiles.
Edwardian style houses, on the other hand, were built between 1901 and 1930, corresponding with the reign of King Edward VII. They are typically more restrained and elegant in style, with symmetrical exteriors, relatively flat roofs and intricate front porches.
Interiors also tend to have lower ceilings, simpler plasterwork and more open-plan living spaces.
To help confirm the likely era of your house, it is also worth looking into its history. Local sources such as the local authority or historical society archives can provide planned details that can help you to accurately place the era of your home.
Visiting the local area or speaking to your neighbours may also reveal useful information that can help you to identify the origins of your home.
If you’re still not certain, engaging an experienced surveyor or architect can help you confirm when your house was built and identify any artifacts that can help you to confirm its age.
Are Edwardian houses well built?
Yes, Edwardian houses are well built. Edwardian houses are known for their high quality, craftsmanship and long lasting construction. The period of time encompassed by the Edwardian era, 1901-1910, saw the emergence of some particularly famous architects, who designed many beautiful and enduring buildings.
These architects paid particular attention to the details and craftsmanship, ensuring that their buildings would last the test of time. The emphasis of Edwardian architecture was on larger, more ornamental buildings, brimming with stylish details like intricate wood carvings, waistcoat friezes and stained glass windows.
This era also saw an increased use of cement and iron to create strong and durable homes, making them difficult to demolish. In particular, the ‘Arts & Crafts’ style which grew out of the Edwardian era has been found to be well built and highly durable, with many original Edwardian homes still standing today.
Is Edwardian an architectural style?
Yes, Edwardian is an architectural style named after Britain’s King Edward VII. This style flourished between 1901 and 1910 and was characterized by classical elements, playful ornamentation, and simple lines.
Architectural features include classical pediments, bay windows, and heavily bracketed roofs. Many times the ornamentation consists of a combination of various geometric shapes and pastel colors, which adds a playful touch to the style.
Other features commonly found in Edwardian architecture include large verandas, patterned brickwork, and tiled fireplaces. Although the style was popular, it was less enduring than other styles such as Georgian and Victorian, and modern buildings rarely demonstrate Edwardian architecture today.
What are the characteristics of an Edwardian house?
Edwardian houses are typically large, elegant homes that were built during the Edwardian period, which spanned from 1901-1910. These homes are characterized by their classic, symmetrical designs and utilize a combination of Georgian, Baroque, and classical architectural styles.
The layout of Edwardian houses tends to be quite consistent, featuring a grand central hallway with two symmetrical rooms on either side, as well as a back staircase connecting the two floors. Outside, the exterior facades of Edwardian properties are usually quite ornate, with elaborate windows and façades.
Common features include slate or terracotta roof tiles, intricate external tiling, leaded windows, and stained glass detailing. Due to the high levels of craftsmanship involved, Edwardian-style homes boast some of the finest interiors and exteriors in British housing.
Additional features include marble, mahogany, intricate cornice edging, stained glass, and additional Victorian-style embellishments. In terms of interior décor, Edwardian homes often distinctly featured a combination of Edwardian furniture and classic furnishings, making them highly sought-after for their classic appeal.
What makes a home a Victorian?
The term “Victorian” is generally used to describe any home built during the reign of Queen Victoria in England, which lasted from 1837 to 1901. These homes are typically characterized by intricate, ornate detailing and a mix of different elements.
Exterior features often include decorative shutters, steep gables and protruding bays. Interiors have roomy floor plans with large, formal entries, high ceilings and period inspired woodwork. Maybe two to three stories, Victorians were built with more intricate ornamentation than their simpler Greek Revival counterparts in the US.
Characteristics of a Victorian home include asymmetrical shapes, excessive ornamentation, elaborate gables, steeply pitched roofs, wrap-around porches and bay windows. Colorful paint schemes, often combinations of opposing colors, are also considered to be something of a defining feature of a Victorian home.
Overall, a Victorian style home is easily distinguished, thanks to its romantic and intricate styling, a reflection of the time period during which it was built.
How can you tell if a house is Victorian?
To tell if a house is Victorian, look for its traditional features, such as a steeply pitched roof, a tall, narrow design, and intricate details. Victorian homes often have a symmetrical façade and decorative elements, such as gingerbread trim, spindlework, bay windows, and front porches.
Additionally, Victorian homes often have a turret, which was a popular feature in the late 1800s. Other distinguishing characteristics of 19th century Victorian architecture include Gothic influences and elaborate ornamentation.
The exterior may feature masonry materials such as brick and stone, with wood for outlining windows and doors. Inside, Victorian design tends to feature high ceilings, ornately decorated fireplaces, detailed woodwork and wallpapers, and a great deal of open spaces.
Overall, Victorian architecture is typically quite ornate and intricate, indicative of the Victorian style and the craftsmanship of the period.
What comes first Edwardian or Victorian?
Victorian comes first. The Victorian era occurred during the reign of Queen Victoria, who reigned from 1837 until 1901. It was a time of rapid change and advancement in many areas, including the arts, industry, and science.
The Edwardian era then followed, beginning when King Edward VII succeeded Queen Victoria in 1901. It was a time of transition, as the values and customs of the Victorian era began to give way to a more modern outlook, with innovations in technology, fashion, and social attitudes.
The Edwardian era technically lasted until King George V’s death in 1910, but Edwardian styles of dress and architecture continued until after the First World War.
What is classed as a Victorian house?
A Victorian house is a type of house that was built during the reign of Queen Victoria in England (1837-1901). Typically, these houses are characterized by a variety of architectural styles, including Gothic Revival, Italianate, Second Empire, Queen Anne, and Tudor Revival styles.
These houses tend to feature distinct, decorative features such as high-reaching towers, ornate stucco trim, and gingerbread ornaments. Victorian houses often have asymmetrical façades, grand porches, and wrap-around porches.
They also tend to have large windows, with shutters or decorative wrought iron bars. Depending on the era, interior features of Victorian houses can include stained glass windows, elaborate fireplaces and mantels, and sparkling chandeliers.
Victorian homes were often painted in muted colors and adorned with high-contrast, intricate trim.