Victorian - 1860 to 1900

Victorian architecture consists of those styles that were popular during the last decades of the reign of Britain’s Queen Victoria. During this period, the United States was in the midst of the Industrial Revolution. Industrialization and mass production quickly took hold of entire industries that were previously based upon centuries old craftsmanship. Products of all types became much more widely available, affordable, and elaborate. Building products and home hardware was a key beneficiary of industrialization. As a result, Victorian homes became increasingly more complex and ornate in their design. Thanks to industrialization, distinctive homes were also no longer only for the extremely wealthy.

Victorian Exterior Features During the Victorian period, building design and ornamentation was at its peak with a variety of design styles that quite often blended and borrowed features from one style to the next. Victorian homes typically share common characteristics including irregular shape, asymmetric and often flamboyant exterior facades, and expansive porches. However, each subcategory of Victorian architecture has its own set of distinctive and identifying design elements.

Second Empire (1855 through 1885) style homes typically have dual-pitched (mansard) roofs with molded cornices above and below. Dormer windows are also common as well as decorative brackets below the eaves.

Stick - Eastlake (1860 – 1890) style homes have notably steep pitched roofs and often include cross gables and overhanging eaves. Stickwork (patterns of horizontal, vertical and diagonal boards) is decorative design element from which this style is named.

Queen Anne (1880 – 1910) style homes are what come to mind by most if asked to describe a Victorian style home. Notable attributes of the Queen Anne style include steep-pitched gabled roofs, shingled insets, and angled bay windows.

Richardson Romanesque (1880 – 1900) style homes are constructed of stone or brick and typically have decorative round-topped arches above windows, doors, and/or along their porches. A hallmark of this style is a tower that is generally round with a conical roof.

Classic Exterior Hardware

Shop 4 Classics offers many high quality products for this style of home including the following items:

	Decorative door knockers provide the proper way for guest to announce their arrival to your distinctive Victorian home. Door knockers can be found in the Door Knockers section of the Door Hardware department.		Letters from distant friends will find a fitting home in one of our period mail slots. Mail slots are available in several designs and finishes in the Mailslots section of the Home Hardware department.
	A vintage latch doorplate set accompanied by a deadbolt is as stylish as it is functional. Victorian door hardware can be found in the Door Hardware department.

Victorian Interior Features

Much of Victorian home’s exterior asymmetry is a direct result of their complicated and irregular floor plans. From floor to ceiling, decorative accent elements are common features of Victorian homes. Specifically, Victorian home interiors are noted for their ornate moldings, paneling, trim work, and ceiling treatments.

It was during the Victorian period that indoor plumbing, complete with hot and cold running water, became a standard feature of homes of the day. Victorian bathrooms typically include a cast iron clawfoot tub, a freestanding sink, and often a high tank/pull chain toilet. Walls frequently included an embossed wall tile dado or wood wainscoting and floors were most often tiled with three quarter inch square or hexagon tiles.

Classic Interior Hardware

Shop 4 Classics offers many high quality products for this style of home including the following items:

	Clawfoot tubs of all sizes can be found in our in the Clawfoot Bath Tubs department and associated plumbing can be found in the Clawfoot Tub Faucets and More department.		Make a dramatic statement with fine reproduction Victorian door hardware found in the Door Hardware department.
	Whether for accompanying your kitchen sink or pedestal sink in your bathroom, Shop 4 Classics offers a faucet to meet your style and need. Faucets of all types can be found in the Faucets department.		Registers and air return grilles of many designs and finishes can be found in the Vent Covers department.

Victorian Interest Groups & Blogs

Victorian Preservation Society
A great place to meet others that share a love for all styles of turn of the century homes, the Victorian Preservation Society is open to all interested in learning more about the architecture and preservation of vintage homes.

Shop 4 Classics Old House Blog
A blog for old homes or new homes with vintage appeal. The Shop 4 Classics Old House Blog features tips and tidbits on clawfoot tubs, clawfoot tub faucets and showers, heat registers and cold air returns, antique reproduction door hardware, and many more products for classic homes.

HouseBlogs
The central hub for hundreds of do-it-yourself home restoration blogs that exist on the internet. On HouseBlogs, one can find more than just diaries of do-it-yourself home restorers. These blogs often include helpful how-to advice, the fascinating histories of the homes, and amazing before and after images of completed projects.

Victorian Publications

Victorian Homes Magazine
Victorian Homes Magazine features articles on all aspects of maintaining, furnishing, and decorating your Victorian home.

Additional Resources

Victorian Station
The Victorian Station is the destination site on the web for Victorian enthusiasts. This site is dedicated to providing education on the lifestyle and homes of the Victorian era. Discussion boards and product listings are also valuable resources found on this site.

Victoriana
Victoriana.com is a great resource for all things Victorian. This site provides an outstanding collection of links to online resources that offer Victorian related information, products, and services.

Shop 4 Classics offers many tip topics to help you with your project. A list of these topics can be found in our Help Center. Additional on-line resources can be found in our Other Resources directory page.

Disclaimer

The resources listed here are for reference only. Shop 4 Classics is not associated with these resources nor does their listing imply endorsement of any kind.