There are several different styles of Victorian homes: Second Empire, Queen Anne, Stick, Shingle and Richardsonian Romanesque. Fran's home is of the Queen Anne's style. Although Victorian houses are architectually commonly referred to as the Victorian Style, this is really not correct. This style is really a period in history. The Victorian era dates from the time of Queen Victoria who ruled England from 1840 till 1904.
Identifying features of the Queen Anne's style are (1) asymmetrical facade; (2) partial or full-width asymmetrical porch, usually one story high and extended along one or both side walls; (3) textured shingles to avoid smooth wall appearance; and (4) a steeply pitched roof of irregular shape. Of all the various Victorian styles, the Queen Anne is the most eccentric and elaborate. Fran's house has delicate turned porch posts, lacy, ornamental spindles, patterned shingles in red and pink, and large bay windows. Although the style is often called "romantic" and "feminine" it is the product of the most unromantic era in history - the industrial revolution. The Style became an architectural fashion in the 1880's and 1890's, when the machine age was coming in to its own. New technologies in factory-made, precut architectural parts were being mass produced. Builders were combining these pieces in innovative ways. Fran's home was built in 1887 at the height of the Queen Anne style. Come take a tour with me:
Fran's home from the sidewalk.
Coming up the brick driveway, one sees both the house and the barn.
The front entry way....we hardly ever use this door.
We usually enter Fran's house through the door on the left. Fran built the gazebo for our "tea parties".
On the second floor of the barn is the "Game room" with a pool table and juke box playing songs from the sixties. I love the oval stained glass window.
The yard is well groomed and in the summer quite colorful with irises and lilies....but on Easter Sunday only crocuses were growing in a unique sculpture. That's the thing with Fran...being an artist...she collects interesting objects to adorn her world. In Part II of this series, we will go inside her home.
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Comments: 41
do you turn into dolls when going inside..........that would be great!
Blessings ~
Rene
I also want to write a separate article about one house in particular. A GothGuy lives there and it's full of coffins and skulls.
Very nice shots Elizabeth - I love that the indoor and outdoor complements each other - cool sculpure too.
I love Victorian with gingerbread..
Bob, your article is Featured in the Triple Name Club.
Thanks for posting to All Photo Essays Here!
They've made it into a real home and that gazebo and the games/music room are such great features.
If I lived there, that gazebo would have one very worn seat.
PS. Your story once again illustrates what a Fred can do... *smile*
I am so eager to see Part Two!
thanks for sharing... Blessings to you and yours...
Unfortunately, I wasn't able to find a listing that had enough square footage AND parking for +20 people.
Looking forward to Part II