Design Directory - Georgian properties
The Georgian period spanned the reign of King George I through to George IV. Broadly speaking, the 18th Century, from 1714 to 1830 saw the rise of architects becoming household names and a very specific style of property. In this article we take a look at why Georgian properties are so special.
Brilliant white stucco properties in elegantly curved terraces stretch as far as the eye can see.
Towering 3 or 4 storeys with grand pillars adorning the front entrances.
And perfectly symmetrical windows span the front of the properties.
The Georgian period spanned the reign of King George I through to George IV. Broadly speaking, the 18th Century, from 1714 to 1830.
This period saw the rise of architects becoming household names (if you'll pardon the pun) and gaining fame within society.
Even today, owners of properties built by these famous architects still mention their names. Names such as Thomas Cubitt or John Nash frequently appear in the sales particulars for properties they constructed hundreds of years ago.
So what makes a Georgian property? Other than the year it was built, of course.
Georgian properties exuded elegance but were more refined than the extravagance of the properties in the Victorian period.
Symmetry: A Georgian home will be symmetrical. Straight lines and symmetrical windows will be across the 3 or 4 floors. You would usually see Georgian style if you asked a young child to draw a house.
Multiple floors: Georgian homes were built over 3 or 4 storeys. The windows and ceilings are very high but reduce in height as you get to the higher floors as these floors often house the staff.
Stucco: It became popular during the Georgian period to render your property usually white. Early in the 18th Century, only the lower half of a property would be covered. Later, the whole property would be entirely rendered in white.
Windows: Very high sash windows were used. There were often multiple windows in each room to give natural light to the interior whilst maintaining the exterior's symmetrical design. But a common feature of Georgian properties is bricked-up windows. During the 18th Century, income taxes were calculated by the size of one's home. The number of windows in a home showed the size and stature of the income of the household. To reduce tax bills, many people in this period had some windows bricked up so that the symmetrical design was still apparent.
Garden Squares: Because townhouses in the 18th Century were built close together and close to the centre of town, they were often not afforded much in the way of garden space. As the Georgian period progressed, homeowners began to desire outside space. So properties were developed in a square formation, allowing a communal garden area in the centre and giving each property a pleasant outlook.
Georgian properties were more subtle and elegant than the elaborate, ostentatious details that followed in the Victorian period.
