Bay Area Home Styles: Spotlight on the Edwardian

Edwardian-style homes in San Francisco.

This is the sixth installment in a series of bimonthly posts about architecture styles, each dedicated to a popular home type that can be found in the Bay Area.

The Edwardian architectural style gained popularity in the early 1900s (approximately 1901-1914).  The style is named in correspondence with and in honor of the reign of King Edward VII of the United Kingdom, Queen Victoria’s son. The well-known and easily identifiable Victorian home actually refers to a style born during her reign (1837–1901).

The Edwardian-style home takes influences from Victorian, Art Nouveau, Georgian, and Arts and Crafts architecture. In fact, the popular Craftsman-style home was being built at nearly the same time (1905-1929) as the Edwardian.

What makes an Edwardian an Edwardian? For one, it relaxed the heavy, ornate style used in Victorian architecture. Edwardian homes brought back a simpler, classic look but still included external decorative touches to reflect wealth. Generally, Edwardian houses were painted lighter colors and featured less complex ornamental patterns, both inside and out. While the Victorian was filled to the brim with furniture and decorative elements, the Edwardian was all about less clutter. These homes were built at a time when gas and electricity were being introduced to dwellings, and this is reflected in the lighter, airy style.

Inside, the Edwardian was fresh and light, with floral patterns and pastel colors. Bamboo and wicker furniture was used, ceilings were tall, wallpaper was cheerful, and fireplaces were smaller. Stained glass was still prevalent, but woodwork was generally less elaborate.

According to the Bold Italic in its Guide to San Francisco Architecture, “Edwardian homes are highly concentrated in areas that were rebuilt after the fire, such as in the south of Market, downtown, and Mission neighborhoods.” And, according to a The Culture Trip article, “There are actually more Edwardian-style homes in San Francisco than the famed Victorians.” Again, this is due to the 1906 earthquake and fire that destroyed so many homes in the city.

Is it a Victorian or an Edwardian? SFGate helps break down the difference in styles in this blog post. And this Know Your Architectural Styles article from Curbed SF links to a great visual timeline.

Many public buildings that were constructed in the British Empire during the Edwardian era used the Edwardian Baroque style. Its characteristics draw from the style of Sir Christopher Wren (England, 17th century) and French architecture of the 18th century. Sometimes this architecture is referred to as “Wrenaissance” style. Hallmarks of Edwardian Baroque include rusticated facades, arched openings, domed corner rooftop pavilions, and grand central columns. Large, open spaces were common. Click here for a list of examples of Edwardian Baroque architecture from around the world.

If you are a house hunter looking to purchase an Edwardian-style home, we wish you luck on your royal chase. If you are currently living in an Edwardian, congratulations on your classic — and classy — residence.

Article and images sourced from http://blog.pacificunion.com/bay-area-home-styles-spotlight-on-the-edwardian/

Bay Area Home Styles: Spotlight on the Craftsman

A Craftsman-style home in San Jose.

This is the first installment in a series of bimonthly posts about architecture styles, each dedicated to a popular home type that can be found in the Bay Area.

The Craftsman home is a piece of work. Literally. And by that we mean that the home builder’s highly skilled work is prominently on display.
Simple and natural, the Craftsman home often features porches with round columns or stone supports, low-pitched gable roofs, wide eaves with brackets or exposed rafters, and handcrafted stone or woodworking. The Craftsman home’s emphasis is indeed all in the craft — the pared-down, simplistic quality of the workmanship. In its original era, it was also a response to the ornamentation of the Victorian home.
Craftsman-style homes were built from approximately 1905 until the Great Depression. They were constructed all over the country and can be found scattered in most older Bay Area neighborhoods. Many homebuyers look specifically for the Craftsman-style home and make a project of restoring it to its original glory.

The bungalow is a popular version of the Craftsman, and though the name might suggest a small home, this isn’t always the case. There are definitely Craftsman bungalow-specific enthusiasts, and this website is an excellent resource for them and those who want to learn more.
There is plenty to say about the Craftsman home, but here are a few highlights:

The Arts and Crafts Movement
In the mid-1880s, the Arts and Crafts Movement made its way from Britain to Europe and the U.S. This decorative and artistic style presented a more natural, less ornate style of décor and architecture. This movement was the inspiration behind the Craftsman-style home.

The Prairie-Style Home
The Prairie-style home was popularized by Frank Lloyd Wright and the Chicago school of architects. Built from 1905 to 1920, it was said to be the first American architecture style. Prairie-style homes feature an open floor plan, strong horizontal lines, a central chimney, and built-in cabinetry.
“The Prairie style had many similarities with Craftsman-style bungalows — including a low, horizontal form and roof lines with wide, overhanging eaves,” according to a post at Historic Home Blog.

Sears
What does Sears have to do with the Craftsman home? The department store actually sold them through its catalog from 1908 to 1940. Sears had a selection of more than 400 different designs, ranging from small bungalows costing $450 to large two-story homes priced at $4,500. It sold approximately 700,000 kits that were shipped to buyers via boxcar and came with instruction books and 10,000 to 30,000 pieces. There are several ways to tell if you do indeed have a Sears-catalog home — check them out here.
The Internet is teeming with photos of, and resources for, the Craftsman-style home. You can check out 10 Bungalow Restorations from Old House Online. Houzz offers a gallery of Craftsman homes to further acquaint you with its unique features. HGTV will take you on a few tours that will give you decorating ideas. Better Homes and Gardens will give your some layout, design, and color inspiration.
If you do end up choosing a Craftsman-style home for your residence, congratulations on a great investment. You now own a work of art in a sturdy, square package. Enjoy!

(Photo: Flickr/David Sawyer)

Article and images sourced from http://blog.pacificunion.com/bay-area-home-styles-spotlight-on-the-craftsman/