Photo: Windermere Real Estate
You are probably familiar with a row of houses in San Francisco called the “Painted Ladies.” These six colourfully embellished structures may be among the most photographed private homes in the country. They are fine examples of Victorian architecture – specifically Queen Anne Victorian, a design style prevalent in America from 1880-1920. These buildings are known for their multi-angled roofs, prominent dormers, towers, turrets, wraparound porches, gingerbread trim and stained glass windows. Many believe the elaborate fashion of well-to-do Victorian women, with its puffed sleeves, lace, ruffles, corsets and hoop skirts, influenced this fanciful architectural style.
The colour palettes used on the exterior of a Queen Anne Victorian house add to the complexity of their overall appearance. Orange, rose, peach, olive, terracotta and plum are all colours used to define this expressive period of architecture. Window trim tended to be dark, painted in chocolate browns, forest greens and deep greys. Houses from this era boast as many as five different colours, each helping to emphasize architectural details and finishes. The addition of playful stained glass windows enhances the overall impact of colour. Historical societies throughout North America have established exacting guidelines for individuals looking to restore a Queen Anne Victorian house to period accuracy.
The Old House Journal puts it best when they say, “With its emphasis on warmth, informality, and human scale, the Queen Anne house was a nearly perfect expression of the optimistic exuberance of Victorian America.” And so they live on – a slice of architectural history that speaks to a time of superior craftsmanship and unbridled personal expression.