Fall In Love With Georgian Style Homes ------ Timeless Beauty
- Renee H
- Dec 3, 2024
- 3 min read
Ah, Georgian-style homes—those quiet and elegant beauties that look like they were plucked straight out of an 18th-century period drama. You half-expect Colin Firth to emerge from the front door, cravat perfectly tied, offering you tea and judgment. These homes are a love letter to symmetry, balance, and understated sophistication. And yes, they sometimes grace the streets of Toronto and Markham, like little architectural odes to a bygone era.
A Brief History of Georgian Elegance
First things first, Georgian homes were named after the Georges (I through IV) who ruled Britain in the 18th and early 19th centuries. This was a time when people valued harmony in design, much like today when we value harmony in our Netflix queues. The style took root in North America, and though it’s been centuries, Georgian homes remain the gold standard for anyone who wants their house to look like it has a PhD in class.
Spotting a Georgian Beauty
What makes a Georgian home Georgian? Let’s take a walk through its distinctive features, whether you’re swooning over a row of townhomes or a grand detached estate:
1. Symmetry, Symmetry, Symmetry!
Georgian homes are like your Type-A friend who color-codes their closet: everything has its place. The front door is always dead-center, flanked by evenly spaced windows. If a Georgian home were a person, it’d be the one organizing the group photo by height. (I'm curious why human looks so weird when their face are extremely symmetrical.)
2. Tall and Proud Windows
The windows are usually sash-style (the ones that slide up and down), divided into multiple panes. Bonus points if they’re capped with decorative lintels or shutters that are more for show than function. They let in just the right amount of natural light for that perfectly lit TikTok video.
3. Brick and Stone Facades
Georgian homes often come dressed in red brick, but in Toronto and Markham, you might spot variations in grey or even limestone. It’s like seeing someone wear a classic black tux but with quirky socks—timeless with a touch of personality.
4. Perfectly Pitched Roofs
A Georgian roof is low-pitched and punctuated by chimneys on either side, as if saying, “Yes, I’m fancy, but I also need to stay warm in winter.”
5. Front Door Drama
The front door of a Georgian home is like the punctuation mark on a perfectly crafted sentence. Often adorned with a fanlight (a semi-circular window above the door) or sidelights, it’s framed by columns or pilasters, making it look like the grand entrance to a Jane Austen ball.
6. Grand Entrances
Speaking of entrances, some detached Georgian homes boast porticos—those mini-roofed porches supported by columns. They scream, “Welcome, but please wipe your shoes; this isn’t a barn.”
Georgian Gems in Toronto and Markham
Toronto, with its mix of architectural styles, hides a few Georgian-style treasures in neighborhoods like Rosedale or Cabbagetown. Meanwhile, Markham, known for its blend of modern and historical vibes, occasionally surprises with a stately Georgian estate or even Georgian-inspired townhomes. These homes are standing as reminders you can turn off that good design never goes out of style.
Why Georgian Style Still Wins
What’s so great about Georgian homes? For starters, they’re the architectural equivalent of a white button-up shirt or THE little black dress in your wardrobe: always in style and endlessly versatile. Whether it’s a cozy townhome or a sprawling estate, these homes exude a sense of permanence and refinement. Plus, their symmetrical design means you’ll never have to lie awake at night wondering why the left side of your house feels heavier than the right.
Living in a Georgian-style home might make you feel like you should suddenly start hosting high tea. But don’t worry—these homes are as practical as they are beautiful. Sure, they look like they belong on a Regency-era postcard, but they’re also ready for the 21st century. (Yes, you can totally hide a smart fridge behind those perfectly balanced walls.)
So next time you’re strolling through the city and spot a Georgian home, give it a nod of appreciation. It’s not just a house; it’s a history lesson wrapped in elegance and topped with a chimney or two.
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