House Portraits: Victorian Houses Gallery

Victorian architecture is a term that describes the many ornate architectural styles that came into being during Queen Victoria’s reign from 1837 to 1901. The influence of Victorian architectural styles, while starting in England, soon stretched far and wide, reaching North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Victorian architecture has three main characteristics that help define the style. First, Victorian buildings were designed to be ornamental. Interiors were decorated with extravagant, ornate furnishings, while decorative gables, eaves, and rooftop finials adorned the exteriors. Second, in contrast with the simple structures of previous eras, Victorian buildings feature more complex structures such as bay windows, steeply pitched roof lines (also known as Mansard roofs), and large, wraparound porches. Third, Victorian homes are commonly painted in a variety of pastels, jewel tones, and earthy colors. Some feature a monochromatic color scheme while others feature several contrasting colors. Stained glass windows also provided vibrant color to both the interior and exterior of Victorian homes.

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