Georgian homes rule the roost. Period.
Results of a BBC Magazine poll published earlier today reveal that Georgian era homes are the nation’s favourite style of property.
38% of those who voted in last week’s online poll stated that Georgian homes were the preferred architectural era with the more decorative homes built in the Victorian era following closely behind with over a quarter of votes (26%).
Richard Patterson, Director of leading online estate agency, My Online Estate Agent, which sells and lets homes across the UK from a variety of periods for a one-off flat fee, comments,
“I’m not too surprised by the results of this BBC poll; as we have seen from own enquiries Georgian properties are in high demand from Grade-II listed manor homes to the desirable town house. Open fireplaces and solid wood floorings are popular with home buyers and so sought after is this era that we are also seeing a growing number of new properties developed in the manor of the Georgian style.”
Spanning over a century from 1714 to 1837, the Georgian period saw the reign of three Georges. Divided into three sub periods, the Palladian, early and late Georgian, the style became lighter in terms of colours and level of decoration as the years passed by, eventually becoming the regency style.
Many will have gained their understanding of Georgian society through the works of the eminent writers of the time including Jane Austen, Henry Fielding and Mary Shelley, with the iconic architecture of Robert Adam, John Nash and James Wyatt creating the perfect backdrop. Other famous artists of the era include the romantic poets – Samuel Taylor Coleridge, William Wordsworth, Lord Byron, John Keats and Robert Burns – as well as celebrated artists Thomas Gainsborough and John Constable.
Some of our best loved properties today such as The Circus in Bath and 10 Downing Street are of the Georgian style. Typical characteristics of the era include a simple 1 or 2 story box with strict symmetry, a centred panel door topped with rectangular windows, cornice embellishments and chimneys on both sides of the house. Internally colour schemes began bold with popular colours including sage greens, subtle blues, stone, off white and burgundy, lightening up as the regency era approached.
Following on from the Georgian era, with over a quarter of all votes, the Victorian architectural style also remains desirable. Taking its name from the reign of Queen Victoria (1837 – 1901), the Victorian era saw the return of the Gothic style and the construction of many large public buildings connected to the engineering marvels of that time. Developments in construction techniques and the introduction of steel enabled famous buildings such as St Pancras railway station, the Royal Albert Hall and the Forth Bridge to be erected.
On a smaller scale, due to new manufacturing processes and the beginning of the railways, building materials including mass produced bricks, were widely available enabling the rapid construction of homes for Britons. Terraced properties were commonplace with wealthier Victorians preferring the villa style home.
Richard Patterson comments,
“Victorian properties are particularly popular with house hunters due to their large rooms offering bright and airy living spaces. The period fireplaces are the centrepiece of most rooms and a major selling point as well as the bay windows and decorative detailing synonymous with this period. Due to their size and layout, Victorian properties are often sought after by first time buyers and young families, especially those living within towns and cities.”
On the market:
Georgian style: 7 bedroom detached house for sale in Duns, Berwickshire, Scotland £595,000
An Elegant ´B´ listed Classical Georgian south facing family country home with 1 acre garden and electric fencing, affording stunning views of the surrounding countryside to the Cheviots beyond. The vicarage was sympathetically restored to a high standard approximately 15 years ago, and boasts 7 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, open working fires, original sash windows and shutters as well as hardwood floors throughout. There is also an additional unrestored east wing and plot of land with lapsed OPP for the erection of a Detached House providing as yet undeveloped potential.
http://www.myonlineestateagent.com/for-sale/berwickshire/duns/the-glebe-1433/
Victorian style: 4 bedroom semi-detached house for sale in Sheffield, England £454,950
An impressive 4 double bedroom, 2 bathroom, semi-detached Victorian stone fronted villa, with outbuildings. Despite benefiting from a complete rewire, plaster, new central heating system, new bathrooms and remodelled kitchen, the property still retains some potential to add value.
Situated in the very desirable Millhouses area, off the main road, seconds from Millhouses Park with play areas and walks, close to Ecclesall Woods, excellent catchment area for good Offsted rated schools (Silverdale/St Wilfreds etc). Fine dining and family friendly public houses within short walking distance. There is a golf course and sports clubs a short drive away.
http://www.myonlineestateagent.com/for-sale/south-yorkshire/sheffield/knaresborough-road-1630/