Victorian houses are homes in the architectural styles of the Victorian Era. Victorian architecture was popular during the years of Queen Victoria's reign from 1837 to 1901. Before the time of Queen Victoria, houses tended to conform to a simpler classical style, as seen in the colonial houses of New England and Southern plantations. Many different styles developed during the Victorian Era.
Identification
Victorian architecture falls into several types of styles which were popular during the mid to late 19th century. These styles include the Jacobethan (a precursor to the Queen Anne style), Gothic Revival, Italianate/Tuscan, Second Empire/Mansard, Stick, Folk Victorian, Shingle, Richardson Romanesque and Queen Anne. Many Victorian houses do not conform to a single style, but rather are of an eclectic mix of styles, many of which overlap.
Medieval and Renaissance Influenced Styles
Many Victorian houses were influenced by Gothic Revival architecture, a style that began in the 1740s and became popular in the 19th century. Homes included arches and painted windows in medieval style.
The Italianate style became popular in the 1840s and featured elements of Renaissance architecture. Such homes had an Italian or Tuscan villa style.
Popular between 1865 and 1890, the Second Empire style was influenced by Parisian architecture during the time of Napoleon III. In the United States, Second Empire homes were rectangular with high Mansard roofs.
Simpler Styles
Stick architecture, popular from 1860 to 1890, was characterized by "stick work" and half-timbers, using simple lines and patterns rather than elaborate ornamentation. Stick architecture resembles Tudor style with the exception of building material; while Tudor homes were generally made of stucco or stone, Stick homes were made of wood.
Popular from 1874 to 1910, Shingle Style architecture also eschewed the elaborate Queen Anne style. Many Shingle Style houses had rustic cedar shingles. These houses often had irregular shapes and asymmetrical floor plans.
Elaborate Styles
Some of the heavier Victorian architectural styles included Richardson Romanesque and the elaborate Queen Anne style. Richardson Romanesque style, named after Boston architect Henry Hobson Richardson, incorporated elements from 11th century Spanish, Italian Romanesque and southern French architectural styles. Such structures were generally made with rough-faced square stones, Romanesque arches, bold blank stretches of walling and round towers with cone-shaped roofs.
In the latter part of the 19th century, the Queen Anne style superseded the simpler Stick and Shingle styles. Queen Anne style houses were characterized by flamboyant style and elaborate details such as towers, turrets, wrap-around porches, textured wall surfaces and bay windows. Examples of Queen Anne style houses include Brooklyn brownstones and San Francisco "painted ladies" houses.
Interiors
Interiors of Victorian houses were often quite grand. The two predominant styles tended to be Italian/Renaissance or Medieval/Queen Anne. Renaissance interiors included smooth plastered walls, heavy gold mirrors and marble fireplaces. While the Italian Renaissance style emphasized lighter and brighter colors, the Queen Anne style was characterized by darker brooding colors. Victorian interiors tended to be elaborate and ornate, with layers and upholstery. By the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century, middle class houses began to move away from the ornate and cluttered Victorian style in favor of more open spaces.
Technology and Style
By the late 19th century, Victorian style had replaced older styles which had been influenced by Greek classical style with an emphasis on symmetry. The Industrial Revolution contributed to the technical innovation of buildings and homes. Technological advancements allowed for more sophisticated woodworking, architectural trims and more complicated details. Designers began to experiment with brighter colors and asymmetrical floor plans. New machines allowed decorations to be mass-produced and made hardware supplies more affordable to the middle class. As a result, builders and home owners had more freedom in designing their homes.
Related posts
About Victorian HousesWhile many homes built in the late 19th century are simply called "Victorian," there are actually several different styles of architecture that fall under the broad...
The Queen Anne house often has a tower or turret, a wrap-around porch, and many other elaborate details.The term "Victorian" is often applied to an older house with a distinctive archite...
Victorian "painted ladies" are Victorian-era homes that are painted in three or more colors.If you like the look of Victorian houses, you can create it with a "Victorian look"...
Victorian houses were often built with large porches.Victorian houses are known for their porches, an inviting feature that is much less common on contemporary houses and bungalows. Roofed porches...
Victorian Gothic homes reflected earlier architectural traditions through an inventive, adventurous spirit. Their grand scale design and focus on elaborate details, highlighted the era's expanding...
