Gothic Revival Style Medieval architecture and the great cathedrals of the Gothic age inspired all sorts of flourishes during the Victorian era. Builders gave houses arches, pointed windows with diamond-shaped panes, and other elements borrowed from the Middle Ages.
What was Victorian architecture inspired by?
Architects took the ideas of Gothic architecture and added French, Italian, Tudor and even Egyptian details. Designers were free to combine the styles to create several different well-known styles — and combine the styles as they saw fit. As a result, there are few Victorian homes that look the same.
Where did the Victorian house style come from?
Victorian homes were originally a British architectural style. They originated during the reign of Queen Victoria in 1837 – 1901, which is where the name comes from. This style, although now so iconic in and of itself, actually borrows from many different architectural styles before it.
What influenced Victorian interior design?
One of the biggest influences on Victorian design was the industrial age. As factories gained the ability to easily and cheaply create furniture, art, and fabric, common decorative arts became a lot more accessible to the common person. This led to the characteristic “busy” look of Victorian design.
Who created the Victorian house style?
The designers of many of England’s 19th-century buildings were the largely anonymous in-house architects of building firms such as Thomas Cubitt. Cubitt himself built large parts of Belgravia and Pimlico in London, as well as Osborne House on the Isle of Wight for the royal family.
What are three characteristics of Victorian design?
Interior design in the Victorian period was layered, cluttered, ornate, and eccentric.
What are the unique features of a Victorian house?
Defining features of a Victorian home
- Steep, gabled roofs.
- Round angles.
- Towers, turrets and dormers.
- Shapeley windows, especially bay windows.
- Stained glass.
- Decorative woodwork.
- Bright colors.
What defines the design as Victorian?
Victorian design is widely viewed as having indulged in a grand excess of ornament. The Victorian era is known for its interpretation and eclectic revival of historic styles mixed with the introduction of Asian and Middle Eastern influences in furniture, fittings, and interior decoration.
Why do Victorian houses have two front doors?
One Door Was Formal, the Other Was Not
While one door may have led to a formal area, the other could have been used for day-to-day business. This thinking applied to other visitors as well—homeowners likely wanted to greet guests at a formal entrance.
Why are houses called Victorian?
Victorian houses got their name from their era – the Queen Victoria era, which was 1837 – 1901.
What were 5 Victorian ideals?
If we ask academics to enumerate archetypically Victorian values, they might say: prudishness, thrift, individualism, responsibility, self-reliance, an entrepreneurial spirit, the idea of the self-made man, the civilising mission, evangelism to name a few.
What was a major theme in the Victorian era?
Historical Context. The Victorian Era, spanning the duration of Queen Victoria’s rule from 1837 – 1901, is characterized by the expanding horizons of education and literacy, as well as by an increased desire of the people to question religion and politics.
What is the Victorian era best known for?
The Victorian Era was a time of vast political reform and social change, the Industrial Revolution, authors Charles Dickens and Charles Darwin, a railway and shipping boom, profound scientific discovery and the first telephone and telegraph.
Who influenced Victorian fashion?
Fashion during the Victorian Era was eccentric, ornamented, and elaborate. Queen Victoria’s influence began in the 1830’s and continued through the early 1900’s. The women of the Bringhurst family were certainly impacted by this and tailored their dress to the most elaborate fashions of the time.
What are the elements of Victorian style?
Victorian-era decorating was the polar opposite of today’s modern styles. It was a time of heavy, ornate furnishings, oversized everything, and a penchant for knickknacks. The resulting style is romantic, complex, warm, and dramatic, dripping with opulence and excess; basically, enough to make any minimalist shudder.
What are two characteristics of Victorian style?
This style was characterized by symmetry, Renaissance revival style interiors, many small windows, and limited ornamentation. Victorian architecture rejected the subtle styles of the past in favor of a style that reflected the prosperity of certain social classes.
Why were Victorian houses so colorful?
Victorian Era Color Palettes
Various hues of ochre, russet, beige, brown and taupe were chosen because of the idea that the house should blend with its natural surroundings.
What distinguishes a Victorian house?
Several architectural subcategories fall under the umbrella of Victorian. While characteristics such as asymmetrical design, gabled roofs, decorative trim, towers, turrets, large windows, bay windows, stained and leaded glass windows, and front porches are widespread, each substyle has distinctive elements.
What does a red front door mean?
welcome to
Red front doors
In early American history, a red front door indicated travelers were welcome to spend the night. Perhaps this is why red is a popular front door color for many Colonial-style homes. Red doors also indicated homes involved in the Underground Railroad where fleeing slaves could be safe.
Why do Victorian houses have bricked up windows?
You may have noticed that some of our old homes have bricked up or filled in windows. Some properties were built in such a fashion to balance the look of a building but for many their windows were filled in to avoid paying a tax that was introduced in 1696.
Why were Victorian houses so dark?
Plus, before the advent of color-fast materials and disposable Ikea furniture, Victorian homes could be dark places–people used heavy curtains to protect their rugs and furniture from being bleached by the sun.