Historic Homes of Denver: Historic Homes and Buildings, What is a Victorian?

"What is a Victorian?" you may ask?  Good question!  The term Victorian is not as much an architectural style as it was an era.  Queen Victoria ruled the British Monarchy from June 22, 1837 until her death on January 22, 1901.  During her rein, English and French architecture was named after HRH Queen Victoria, thus answering the question "What is a Victorian?".

"What is a Victorian?" I live in a 1888 vintage Victorian home and absolutely love it!  Victorian homes often have what is called a 12-12 pitch.  What that means is that for every 12 feet the roof goes out horizontally, it also drops 12 feet vertically.  This gives the roof line a steep 45 degree angle.  Because of the steep roof lines, some people mistake Victorians for Tudors.  However, the steep angular roof lines are pretty much all that the two have in common.

"What is a Victorian?"  It is very common for the staircases to second floor in Victorians to be accessible at the front door in a Victorian home.  Often in larger homes, the staircase is spectacularly ornate.  Because of the roof lines being so steep in Victorian homes, you will almost certainly have some rooms on the top floor where the roof line cuts into the outer walls.

Victorians also often have a smaller room directly adjoining the dining room.  This is called the "snug".  Snug's had a very specific purpose in Victorian England and in Victorian Homes.  After dining in the evening, the gentlemen of the home would retire to the snug for a cigar and brandy as the women cleaned up after dinner.  Although I have a snug in my Historic Victorian in Denver, it certainly isn't USED for such an archaic purpose.  It is simply one of the quaint and charming parts of my home.

When you ask, "What is a Victorian?", know that there are several sub-types under the umbrella of Victorian Architecture, please see the examples below. 
                                                                                                                             

Many Classic Victorian Homes had "Ginger Bread" trim added to the exterior of the home

Queen Anne Victorians are often much more elaborate than your classic Victorian.  Please notice the commanding turret and wrap around front porch.

                                           Italianate Victorian

Richardsonian Romanesque Victorian

If you are interested in seeing Victorian architecture in Denver, call me!  I would love to help you!