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Do you live in a Victorian home?

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January 24, 2018
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If so, would you like to have your house professionally photographed for our forthcoming campaign which celebrates the unique style and characteristics of Victorian homes?

Millions of homes were built across the country during Victorian times.

The Industrial Revolution, population growth and rural to urban migration resulted in successive housing booms – and the architecture of the time is still a defining feature of most British towns and cities today. Interior features are also wonderfully unique and full of character that’s distinctive for the era.

Here are some of the aspects of Victorian homes that we’re looking to delve into. If your home has been modernised but still showcases original features, please email [email protected] or sign up via our Victorian Homes page to discuss further.

Exterior features that are distinctive to the era

Victorian homes can be spotted straight away from the outside. In the 1850s, tax on glass and bricks was abolished and this made building materials much cheaper to source. And a lot of consideration went into the design of the exterior. Tiled paths often led to a very welcoming doorway with stained glass windows and patterned brickwork, iron railings surrounded the property boundary, and slate was used on the roofs.

A beautiful grand hallway

The entrance to a Victorian home was considered one of the most important rooms of the house. It was the first impression for visitors, and anchored the status of the rest of the building. Often with a patterned mosaic floor, tall ceiling and prominent staircase – these are defining features we’re keen to feature as part of the project.

A practical kitchen for cooking meals

Middle and upper class homes had servants and cooks who would tend to the family’s household needs. It is universally understood that, during the Victorian period, the kitchen was only for cooking – messy preparation such as scrubbing vegetables happened in the scullery. Open cookers became very hot and generated a lot of heat so windows were generally placed high to allow for the most efficient ventilation.

Open fireplaces in every room

Practical open fireplaces were transformed into decorative features in Victorian homes. They were needed in every room of the house, but many have been blocked over the years. More recently, some owners are choosing to open them back up to showcase their home’s original features.

Decor that added a luxurious feel to each room

In addition to the distinctive interior features, the decor of the era was rich and elegant. Wallpapers and fabrics were well-made and artistic often featuring deep reds and burgundies, purples and magentas and peacock greens and blues. Curtains, for example, made of velvet or damask with elaborate tassels, fringing and drapes were popular. Wallpaper, such as the classic William Morris design, covered the walls in nearly every room of the house.

The beginning of bathrooms inside the home

There were massive improvements to hygiene and sanitation in the 19th Century – and Victorian times saw the introduction of bathrooms into homes. The toilet itself may have still been an outside privy, but some homes were dedicating one room for the bath. Whether it was cast iron or free standing, hot and cold water was also available for the entire family to enjoy a soak.

Living rooms with open bay windows and distinctive interior features

Living rooms in Victorian homes are bright, open and welcoming. Large bay windows allow natural light to stream in, opening up the space. While the open fireplace usually dominates the room, there are other key features that are distinctly Victorian. For example, mouldings, ceiling roses and skirting were all popular interior design elements. Alcoves may have made the room an odd shape, but these now make excellent shelf and storage space.

Stunning gardens with colour flowers all year round

The Victorians were fascinated with plant collecting and horticulture. Garden sizes varied, but households usually had some form of outside space next to their home filled with colourful flowers. They could also have been used to display exotic plant collections and rockeries from stones collected from travels. Classic Victorian lanterns were also dotted around and lit at night so the household could enjoy the area after sunset.

Find out more about Adrian Flux Home Insurance here.

Main image: Terraced houses in Ruskin Road, Crewe. Copyright Espresso Addict @ www.geographic.org.uk

First image: Victorian homes in Basingstoke, Hampshire. Copyright Logomachy @ www.geographic.org.uk

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