The Edwardian architectural style was prominent during the reign of King Edward VII of the United Kingdom (1901–1910). This style may also include architecture from before 1914. The term "Edwardian" has been applied to many different styles and types of buildings in various countries around the world.
It was an extravagant time of wealth and luxury, when large houses with dozens of rooms were built as private mansions for the rich. These palatial homes used expensive materials such as marble and fine woodwork, which required maintenance work throughout the year by expert craftsmen. The architects of this period included English designers ADL Ward and Cuthbert Brodrick, who are known for their use of French Renaissance styling with Indian elements; as well as American architects John Russell Pope and Stanford White.
In Britain, the style became popular after 1885, when J.C.C. Nieriker began to build large houses in the country estate style. The style evolved further under the direction of Edwin Lutyens, who designed several major British cities during this time. Edinburgh's Royal Botanic Garden was one of his first commissions, completed in 1902. Other notable buildings of this era include London's Natural History Museum and Kew Gardens Palace.
Edwardian Fashion (1901–1918) Edwardian houses are clearly distinguished from Victorian and Georgian houses because they are often constructed on bigger, lush plots. Because the inhabitants of these mansions had less need for staff, Edwardian homes were frequently substantially shorter than corresponding Victorian homes. They also featured narrower windows and fewer doors- evidence that wealthy people wanted to protect their possessions from thieves.
Victorian Architecture (1837–1901) The term "Victorian" is applied to many different types of buildings in several different countries around the world. However, all have something in common: they were built between the years 1837 and 1901. During this time period, Britain was undergoing a major change in lifestyle that had an impact on housing. With the rise in popularity of public transportation, the need for home offices with good lighting and ventilation became apparent. In addition, more families needed larger dwellings to accommodate growing numbers of children.
In North America, Canada and the United States also experienced major changes during this time frame. In Canada, architects began to incorporate Canadian elements into their designs, such as using local materials like stone and wood instead of importing materials like marble from Europe. In addition, Canadian houses tend to be wider and taller than their Victorian counterparts in England.
In Latin America, South Africa and Oceania, the term "Victorian" describes similar houses that were built around the same time.
Edwardian mansions From 1901 to 1910, the Edwardian era was brief and highly inspired by the Arts and Crafts Movement. In contrast to the smaller, darker Victorian residences, Edwardian dwellings were more squat, larger, and spacious, with wider halls and more windows. They also tended to be built of stone or brick, instead of dark wood like their predecessors. The term "Edwardian" has since become synonymous with "large mansion," as such buildings do not exist today in large numbers.
The huge popularity of these houses between 1901 and 10 can be explained by several factors. They were affordable for most people who could afford to buy property, and they came with lots of space for everyone who lived there. Also, many architects and craftsmen were becoming interested in new ways of designing and building homes, so this period is often called the "Era of Innovation."
One must remember that during this time period, America was still recovering from the devastating effects of the Civil War and World War I, so people wanted to show their prosperity by buying big houses full of luxury amenities. Cities like Boston, Chicago, and New York were expanding, so land was not scarce. There was also a growing middle class who could now afford to buy property.
These properties used very modern construction techniques for their time, including factory-built quality components that was affordable to the average family.
Edwardian Real Estate The Edwardian era lasted only a few years, from 1901 to 1910. Edwardian houses are heavily influenced by the Arts and Crafts Movement; carved elements are frequent, as are additional ornamentation on building exteriors. Interior design was also important, with natural materials such as wood and stone used extensively. These factors combine to produce a house that is simple yet elegant, comfortable yet modern.
The term "Edwardian" has been applied to other styles of architecture as well, including American Craftsman and California Ranch. In addition, the term has been used to describe certain popular products such as lamps, furniture, and jewelry made by craftspeople who worked in the style.
Gothic architecture is an architectural style that originated in Europe in the 12th century. It had its greatest influence in England and Germany. There are many similarities between Gothic and Victorian architecture, which caused some architects to use the Gothic term loosely to describe any large, stately home. However, the two styles do have similarities but they are not identical.
Victorian architecture is known for its elaborate decoration.