As you can probably guess, the term ‘Victorian architecture’ comes from the reign of Queen Victoria in the United Kingdom from mid-1837 until the beginning of 1901. During that time the British used to name the architectural styles after the monarch ruling in this period. So this tendency in architecture originates from Britain but it was spread in other countries, even other continents. In the past royalty was very fond of art and different influences from unfamiliar and therefore interesting cultures. This is why this particular style combines elements from the Middle East and Asia. It is believed that the Victorian style was conveyed in other countries by English architects who emigrated to the four cardinal points of the world taking their knowledge of what’s in trend at home to the new destination they wend their way to. That’s the reason why Victorian homes can be seen in Australia, Canada, the USA, New Zealand, etc. At that time, the communication and transportation industry were already developed to such an extent that information could travel faster so as news for what’s fashionable in other remote locations.
The Victorian period overlaps the Industrial Revolution, meaning technology development. This surely contributed to the more complex elements of home design at the time. There are very typical traits of a house that is built on this style which are strongly distinctive. The first thing that might draw your attention when seeing such a home is the sort of tower-looking part of the roof, which is often present. Another part of the roof is steeply pitched and built as different parts and not as a whole, so it doesn’t have a regular shape. Usually, the gable faces the front of a house, not the sides of it. But as the roof is divided to many parts, some gables might be turned sideways. The walls are intended not to have a smooth effect, so they are built of textured shingles. Asymmetry was probably honored during the period since the whole house is constructed with such an idea in mind. Starting from the front, the porch might spread along one side of the house and have detailed ornaments on the railing. Dormers are also very typical. Bay windows that lay outward of the main level of the construction are also quite common. Such houses are usually built of wood and have two stores. The exterior of a Victorian home as above described is very easy to recognizable.
Believe it or not, Victorian style home design is still found interesting and appealing by many. There are houses that are constructed to look that way with a few modern touches here and there. They actually have a kind of romantic appearance and can turn into the pride of any neighborhood. Nowadays, the very existence of them preserves the spirit of the past, making the property unique and remarkable. From the outside it may look like taken out of a history book, but from the inside they can be decorated according to the contemporary tendency if that’s how you prefer it. If you want to be a proud owner to such a home, you have to know that you can change the interior and take it compliant with your particular needs and preferences. One room can be converted into a walk-in closet, for example. The kitchen may be transformed in such a way so that today’s appliances can fit in. A garage can be also added without differing from the rest of the house.
The clash of modern and old shouldn’t actually be a clash but integration and combination in order for both to be shown and neither forgotten.