{"id":23153,"date":"2021-04-21T07:23:18","date_gmt":"2021-04-21T14:23:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/?p=23153"},"modified":"2021-05-11T08:26:18","modified_gmt":"2021-05-11T15:26:18","slug":"buyer-what-is-georgian-architecture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-what-is-georgian-architecture\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Georgian Architecture? Making Sense of the Stately Style"},"content":{"rendered":"

Your real estate agent calls and tells you she\u2019s learned about a gorgeous, Georgian-style home coming soon<\/a> on the market. You\u2019re thrilled! Except you don\u2019t have the slightest clue as to what Georgian architecture actually means. Is it something European? Is it originally from Georgia? Does it have to do with someone named George?<\/p>\n

It turns out some of those thoughts aren\u2019t too far off. Georgian architecture, named after England\u2019s first four King Georges, has been one of America\u2019s most popular styles<\/a> since it arrived from Great Britain in the 17th century. Recognized by its order and symmetry, it has an understated elegance that provides a timeless, almost-quaint feel. But beyond the uniformity and ornate details, the age and boxy interiors of Georgian-style homes can produce more challenges than charm for certain homebuyers.<\/p>\n

So is a Georgian home right for you? We\u2019ve talked to real estate agents, historians, and architects with a combined 30-plus years of experience to create a comprehensive primer on the colonial-era style. Let\u2019s find out if it\u2019s your perfect home or something you\u2019d rather just tour on your next New England vacation.<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>
Source: (Annie Spratt \/ Unsplash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What is Georgian architecture?<\/h2>\n

Simply put, Georgian architecture is a colonial style, defined by its stateliness and order. It draws from Renaissance and Greek and Roman influences, and it has an intense focus on symmetry, according to Martha McNamara<\/a>, director of the New England Arts and Architecture Program at Wellesley College. That means your typical Georgian home will have a sense of dignity and formality throughout both the exterior and interior with touches of classical details to add a sense of esteem and elegance.<\/p>\n

But to fully understand the characteristics of a Georgian home, it\u2019s helpful to know the style\u2019s entire history and evolution.<\/p>\n

History<\/h3>\n

Its origins began with the revival of classicism<\/a> in England during the late 17th and early 18th centuries, coinciding near King George I\u2019s<\/a> reign (hence its name). Simultaneously, the \u201cAge of Enlightenment<\/a>\u201d was beginning, where there was a focus on thinking about the world in scientific and rational ways. According to McNamara, the combination of these two periods made Georgian homes\u2019 symmetry and order along with their ornate details very attractive \u2014\u00a0 especially to the elite. Just as there were rules that governed how the solar system worked, she says, there were now rules that governed how your house looked.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat emphasis on rationalizing space, acquiring classical ornament, and that real emphasis on symmetry is all part of a broader intellectual movement,\u201d McNamara says.<\/p>\n

The style eventually arrived in New England as more colonists traveled across the Atlantic. In fact, the first Georgian structure sprung up in Boston in 1688 (it was a grand, three-story private home<\/a> that has since been demolished). At that time, there were no formal architects as we know today, so the ideas and plans for these homes came over in \u201cpattern books<\/a>.\u201d These printed materials provided builders the blueprints for what the houses should look like and even what details should be used in the doors, windows, and fireplaces.<\/p>\n

Evolution in the United States<\/h3>\n

Once it arrived, the Georgian style became the most dominant building style in the U.S. until about 1830<\/a>. The style grew with that same desire in England for formality and reason as the colonists themselves became more affluent. But while it was first popular among the elite, other groups took to the type and mixed and matched certain characteristics with older architecture as well. It also became prevalent in civic buildings, including town halls, courthouses, and schools.<\/p>\n

Eventually, the style saw a revival in the early 20th century alongside other colonials. These homes, referred to as Georgian Revivals, are what you would most likely find today on your home search as original Georgian dwellings are hard to come by. But, don\u2019t worry, they are mostly the same as their originals except for the fact they are newer.<\/p>\n

Where can you find Georgian homes?<\/h3>\n

While you can find Georgian houses throughout the U.S., they are more prominent in the Northeast and along the eastern seaboard. You can find great examples of these homes in coastal New England towns, such as Marblehead, Massachusetts<\/a>, or even farther south in Annapolis, Maryland<\/a>.<\/p>\n

As for the Georgian Revival homes, you\u2019re going to find those most in suburban areas, according to Philadelphia real estate agent Kevin Toll of Toll Realty Group<\/a>. Since they are larger and have more of a neighborhood feel, says Toll, who, alongside his wife, has worked with 67% more single-family homes than agents in his area, they are better suited for the suburbs.<\/p>\n

Federalist vs. Georgian<\/h3>\n

What we know today as the Federalist style<\/a> eventually grew out of Georgian architecture toward the turn of the 19th century. If you\u2019re confused about what exactly the difference is between the two, you\u2019re not alone.<\/p>\n

Both came from similar inspirations, McNamara says, but the Federalist style is less exuberant and more restrained. To tell the difference, look at the details. If they\u2019re more subtle and delicate, it\u2019s most likely a Federalist. That style grew with the wealth of the newly independent United States, and new American architects<\/a> began to add their contemporary influences onto the original Georgian look.<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>
Source: (Viktor Forgacs \/ Unsplash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What characteristics define Georgian architecture?<\/h2>\n

The most significant characteristic of Georgian architecture is, of course, symmetry above all else. It strongly incorporates the \u201cgolden ratio<\/a>,\u201d a somewhat confusing mathematical concept but one that\u2019s proven to be more appealing<\/a> to the eye when used in art and architecture. That creates a sense of balance seen throughout the exterior windows and doors that eventually makes its way inside to the interior layout and design.<\/p>\n

Exterior<\/h3>\n

All Georgian homes are either square or rectangular and feature a center entrance with an equal disbursement of windows on either side. According to A Field Guide to American Houses<\/a><\/em>\u00a0by Virginia McAlister, these homes are usually two or two-and-a-half stories tall and two rooms deep.<\/p>\n

As for the building materials, that depends on your location. Wood with clapboard or shingle cladding is most common in the north<\/a>, while brick or sometimes even stone is more popular farther south.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s are some of the other most common features:<\/p>\n