Exploring Architecture: Discover the Secrets of Edwardian Homes
As the Victorian era drew to a close with the death of Queen Victoria in 1901, the short but influential reign of King Edward VII marked the beginning of a new era in English architecture, style and society. “In the Edwardian era, everything opened up,” says Michael Parinchy of Pro Build 360. The beginning of the 20th century also saw the introduction of the widespread use of gas, and later electricity, in most households, changing the way interiors were lit.
Architects, building planners and residents alike were eager to get out of the smoky Victorian industrial cities, leading to the rise of the suburbs. Edwardian architecture — found in Britain, the U.S. and around the world — borrowed freely from the eras that preceded it, incorporating neo-Georgian window details and neoclassical decorative touches that we now identify with art nouveau and the Arts and Crafts movement. Lighter colors and clear lines are typical of an Edwardian home, displaying a decorative shift after the perceived darkness of the Victorian period. “You don’t really get a sense of that dark, overtly fussy Victorian style,” says Rebecca Hayes of Rebecca Hayes Interiors.
As an emerging middle class began to claim its place in society, rooms for servants became less common in new Edwardian homes. Instead, homes were designed with larger halls and living rooms, and an emphasis on air and light dominated. “If I walk into a property and it feels very light and airy and sort of open, I’m going to guess it’s Edwardian,” Parinchy says. Here are some of the key features of Edwardian homes.
History at a Glance
What: Edwardian architecture, a building style that flourished during the reign of King Edward VII
When: 1901 to 1918
Characteristics: Larger spaces and lighter colors than during the Victorian era; a revival of Georgian elements; art nouveau details
Professional advice from:
Michael Parinchy, Pro Build 360
Rebecca Hayes, Rebecca Hayes Interiors
Half-timbered exteriors. Edwardian homes sometimes feature half-timbered exteriors, which are created by using timber frames for external and internal walls, with the spaces in between filled with brick or plaster. “The half-timbered exteriors are an influence from the Tudor period and make a home look really old,” Parinchy says. Edwardian mock-Tudor styles such as this one were popular for larger country homes.
Another common exterior feature is pebbledash, or roughcast, walls, made of a mixture of lime, sand and stone. In modern renovations the tendency is to smooth them over. Reinforced concrete frames also became commonplace during this era.
Paneled doors with art nouveau glass. “The front doors of Edwardian homes are always really interesting,” Parinchy says. Hayes identifies Masonic doors — wooden doors with carvings above, either in stone or wood, usually with Masonic imagery or symbols — and stained glass as Edwardian features. The stained glass is also seen in the art nouveau style; it is set into wooden paneled doors and often appears on the side panels too.
An elegantly carved wooden porch is also common in Edwardian architecture.
Art nouveau fireplaces. Some fireplaces in Edwardian homes have distinctive art nouveau details. This one features elegantly curved sides with a slight whiplash design carved into the wood.
Other art nouveau details. Fireplaces aren’t the only features that have art nouveau details. Other furniture and accessories, such as lamps and sofas like these, also embrace the modern, ornamental style popularized in the early 20th century. “The curved shape of the furniture of that period is reflective of art nouveau style,” Hayes says.
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Polished wood floors and Persian rugs. Dark, polished wooden floors are widespread in Edwardian homes. “Homeowners would have left the floors naked,” Parinchy says. Today’s floorboards don’t compare with the ones installed during the Edwardian era. “They were of an amazing quality,” he says. To soften the look, luxurious Persian rugs were laid in halls and living rooms.
Floral wallpaper and light walls. Art nouveau style, which embraces floral designs and motifs, also influenced wallpaper designs in Edwardian homes, although those featured more muted patterns, such as the soft florals in this bedroom.
As homes moved away from industrialized centers, Edwardian-era homeowners could afford to decorate their walls in a simple, light and understated style. “Walls could be painted white, because they weren’t going to get dirty from sooty air,” Parinchy says. The advent of electric lighting in homes also meant a decline in the use of candles, thus diminishing the amount of smoke exposed to walls.
Neo-Georgian influences. Multipaned sash windows, popularized in Georgian architecture, made a comeback in Edwardian homes. “It was all about the big spaces and getting natural light in,” Parinchy says. Big sash windows and big patio doors that let in plenty of natural light are popular. Many Edwardian homes also feature multipaned leaded windows.
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Bay windows and pilasters are also a throwback to the Georgian era. But bays have been given a twist. “Square bay windows as opposed to round ones became more characteristic of this period,” Hayes says.
Bigger rooms and higher ceilings mean these styles have the space they need to stand out. “Lightened wallpapers and natural light allowed these features to be properly shown off,” Parinchy says.
Wicker furniture. As international travel increased, styles from across the globe came to influence English decorating. Wicker and bamboo furniture became popular choices for an increasingly cosmopolitan society.
Furniture with a history. Edwardian homes generally include furniture reminiscent of past styles, particularly baroque and rococo. Wing chairs like this one are quite popular and are generally upholstered in pale colors.
Electric lighting. The increasingly widespread availability of electric lighting allowed lamps to become more ornate as well as practical, and brought even more light into spacious Edwardian rooms.
Frilled and fringed lampshades are not an uncommon sight. Tiffany lamps and elegantly sculptured lamp bases also reflect Edwardian style.
Edwardian homes today. Many people renovating Edwardian homes today take full advantage of the style’s penchant for light, airy spaces, and will often enhance this aspect of the building by adding skylights, additional windows or open extensions.
The ground floors of Edwardian homes lend themselves well to vaulted roofs because of the high ceilings, Parinchy says, adding that “because they usually have much steeper pitches to their roofs, they also lend themselves well to loft conversions.”
Edwardian homeowners left a strong legacy: Their desire to have brighter and airier spaces without losing distinctive details has carried through to contemporary design.
Tell us: Do you live in an Edwardian home? What are your favorite features? Share your thoughts and pictures in the Comments below.
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