Saturday, December 19, 2015

Why buy Federation style

Why Federation Houses Make The Ideal Property To Renovate


[Previous post: Art Nouveau Homes ...Next post: ]
external image Why%252520buy%252520Federation%252520animation.gif
Often the best properties for a buy-renovate-sell strategy, are homes where you can add real value to them:
  • Something with real character, history and a sense of warmth, that will make a fantastic family home.

If this is your strategy, then Federation houses should be near the top of your list.
  • They are often in fantastic locations and easily attract home-owners as future buyers, so if you’re considering this approach then I would recommend getting a real grasp on this type of property style.
  • Learn from them, understand them, fall in love with them… 
    and this will come across in any renovations you do 
    and will provide you with a much better investment (and attract a much better buyer) in the long run.[1]
  • Adapted from publications by www.trevoryorke.co.uk
  • Some illustrations are from Gordon mansion sells for record $6 million Dec 17, 2015 by Anna Anderson in Domain.com.au

Aberdour, 23 Nelson  Street, Gordon NSW 2072, sold for $5,775,000 in 2010
Aberdour, 23 Nelson Street, Gordon NSW 2072, sold for $5,775,000 in 2010

How to Recognise a Federation or Edwardian House

Despite the wide range of styles and materials used in this period there are certain characteristics from the roof down to the ground which help pinpoint their construction to the decades either side of 1900.

Federation Chimneys

  • Chimneys were often sited halfway down the slope of roof so they stood directly above the fireplace.
  • On Arts and Crafts houses chimneys were often made into a prominent feature with decorative brickwork or in a form which looked like it had been plucked from a rustic cottage.
    See also Federation Chimneys
Landscaped gardens lead to the Federation Queen Anne residence, Theace, 24 Nelson Street Gordon.
Landscaped gardens lead to the Federation Queen Anne residence, Theace, 24 Nelson Street Gordon.

Federation Roofs

  • Roofs were generally steep pitched with gable ends which often meant there was space in the loft for additional accommodation. Dormer windows featuring little pointed barge-boards are hence a possible renovation feature.
  • Slate tiling was still widely used but ceramic roof tiles which looked more traditional were becoming common.
  • Ridge tiles tend to be plain compared with Victorian types.
    See also Federation Roofs
Aberdour, 23 Nelson Street, Gordon NSW 2072, sold for $5.775 million in 2010
Aberdour, 23 Nelson Street, Gordon NSW 2072, sold for $5.775 million in 2010

Second Storeys

  • The gable at the front of the house was often clad with mock timber frame patterns, hanging tiles, a coat of pebbledash (originally unpainted), or a plain render with patterns pressed into it.
    See also Federation Gables
'Aberdour' is a gracious c1901 Federation Queen Anne residence at 23 Nelson St Gordon
'Aberdour' is a gracious c1901 Federation Queen Anne residence at 23 Nelson St Gordon

Federation Windows

  • Tall, thin bay windows were popular and the barge-boards on the gable end at the top were generally plainer than earlier types with only a simple profile along the bottom edge at best.
  • Sash windows often had the upper section divided with glazing bars while the lower one was left plain.
  • This gave the facade an appropriate rustic appearance while the clear pane below allowed an unobstructed view for residents.
  • By the early 1900s side hinged casement windows were becoming more popular with distinctive little openings along the top filled with coloured glass in stylised floral patterns.
    See Art Nouveau and Federation Windows
Theace sits on 3350 square metres and comes with a tennis court and pool.
Theace sits on 3350 square metres and comes with a tennis court and pool.

Federation Verandahs

  • Verandahs and balconies edged with timber railings and fretwork patterns (now usually painted white) are a distinctive feature of Edwardian houses.
  • On more modest terraces a single bay window was added at the front capped off by a short sloping roof which continued right across the front of the house forming a porch above the door.
    See also Federation Verandahs
Theace, 24 Nelson St, Gordon.
Theace, 24 Nelson St, Gordon.

Federation Doors

  • Front doors typically had the upper two thirds glazed. This could be a single or pair of openings filled with coloured glass or a series of small arched openings which became smaller towards the top (a unique Edwardian style).
  • Panels formed in the door often had raised mouldings around the edge to make them appear deeper.
  • By 1910 doors with just the upper third glazed and three vertical panels below become popular although these are more common in 1920s and 30s properties.
  • If there was not an external porch then the door was usually recessed into the house.
    See also Federation Doors
    Edwardian English door
    Edwardian English door
It takes just eight seconds to decide whether or not you will buy a house, according to the latest research.
And at least four of them will be spent waiting at the front door. 
  • Lord Lloyd-Webber has a mahogany door, Richard Rogers has a white one, and Kate Middleton has just installed a pair of them, in black.
  • "People look at a front door before they look at anything else," says designer Cecilia Neal, of Meltons. "Your front door reflects what you think about the house. A door can sell a property."
An Oxford blue, Edwardian front door with stained- and etched-glass panels and side windows sold a house in Putney to Susie King. 
  • "After being shown round by the agent, I drove back there that night, parked outside and just stared at the door. I wanted to live behind it so badly," she says.
  • A decade later, when it came to repainting the door, it took 12 attempts to mix the right shade of blue.[2]


Federation Walls

Because bricks were being cheaply mass produced, double-brick walls became the standard for wall construction.
  • Walls had measures taken to reduce the problem of rising damp.
  • Bitumen or slate damp proof courses and bands of engineering bricks were used as a barrier and
  • the ground floor was raised up so air bricks could be fitted front and back to allow a breeze to pass beneath and ventilate the under floor space.
    See also Federation Walls
external image w800-h600-2008540109_4_pi_150301_071349

Federation Tiling


Federation Ceilings

  • Ceilings tend to be very high in this period originally with a picture rail and the area above it may be filled with a decorative frieze.
  • Federation houses tend to be tall and were built along relatively straight streets whereas 1920s and 30s houses which share much in common with them were usually found along winding lanes, crescents and cul de sacs.
    See also Federation Ceilings and Desirable Features
Bedroom at Theace, 24 Nelson Street, Gordon NSW 2072
Bedroom at Theace, 24 Nelson Street, Gordon NSW 2072


Problems to look out for

Edwardian projecting casement.
Edwardian projecting casement.
Despite the high quality of build these houses are now over a hundred years old and there are certain common problems which any prospective buyer should be aware of and get checked out.

Foundations

  • Edwardian properties usually had shallow foundations so can be vulnerable to ground movement caused by trees and shrubs being too close to the walls, leaking drains and certain clay soils.
  • Look for any signs of cracking or gaps in the mortar especially if there is a lot of greenery close by.
  • Make sure the air/ventilator bricks at the front and rear are not blocked up, they can often be hidden by soil or paving as the level of the garden has been progressively raised over the years.
  • Rising damp is not usually a major problem in most Edwardian houses unless there have been changes or cracks which have caused the damp proof course to fail.
  • However patches of mould can appear due to condensation as the walls are usually solid and hence cold (especially lower down) and the blocking of old fireplaces hinders ventilation.
    see also Federation Renovation

Renovated Windows

  • Art Nouveau glass transom windows.
    Art Nouveau glass transom windows.
    Previous owners have often replaced the original timber sash or casement windows with modern uPVC types.
  • Be wary where PVC strips been inserted into bay windows as the original timber ones were designed to carry the load of the walls and roof above but modern plastic ones need extra support and there are cases of sagging and leaking bays where this has not been done.
  • If you have original Edwardian windows then they can now be fitted with inset brush seals to make them air tight and modern secondary glazing which is better at reducing noise than double glazing (due to the larger air gap).

Edwardian doors are now seen as a desirable asset however you may want to make improvements to the hinges, locks and glazing to make them more secure.

Roofing concerns

It is also important to check the roof as slate and ceramic tiles may be getting near the end of their life and in need of repairs.
  • If roofing tiles have been replaced with modern concrete tiles these could be heavier than the original types so look for any signs of sagging if extra supports were not put in.
  • Also make sure that the eaves still allow air to pass into the loft space, these gaps can often get filled with carelessly laid insulation which can result in condensation building up and damp in the timbers becoming an issue.
  • If there are rooms within the roof then look for signs of leaks especially around dormer windows and sky lights.
  • Also get the chimney checked out while carrying out roof work, due to being prominent they are vulnerable to the weather and the mortar, flashing and pots on top often need attention even if they seem satisfactory from the ground.
    To find out more about my books on Period Properties visit www.trevoryorke.co.uk and follow me on facebook

References


  1. ^ http://propertyinvestmentsuk.co.uk/edwardian-houses-make-ideal-property-to-renovate/
  2. ^ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/property/3358262/First-impressions.html

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Art Nouveau Homes

Art Nouveau decoration in Federation Houses


[Previous Post: Shingle styles in Australia ... Next Post: ]

external image Art%252520Nouveau%252520animation.gif


This post features two similar Federation Queen Anne homes, one in St Kilda, Victoria, the other in Scottsdale, Tasmania.
  • Both being constructed of timber, rather than in red brick, they are described in Victoria as 'Edwardian'. (Queen Anne style usually featured red brick front walls)
  • Their decorative influence is the epitome of Art Nouveau decoration in domestic Australian architecture.
  • Being so elaborately decorated, they represent the last flourish of Queen Anne style in Australian domestic housing design.
Art Nouveau Stamped brass fingerplate
Art Nouveau Stamped brass fingerplate

external image image2%252520269%252520Barkly%252520Street%252520St%252520Kilda%252520Vic%2525203182.jpg
Timber Edwardian in St Kilda sold last Saturday 28 Nov 15 for $2,311,000
Timber Edwardian in St Kilda sold last Saturday 28 Nov 15 for $2,311,000
Art Nouveau is a decorative style easily recognised by its sinuous, curvilinear forms often based on the exaggeration of vines, flowers and foliage.
  • A reaction to academic art of the 19th century, Art Nouveau was inspired by natural forms and structures, not only in flowers and plants, but also in curved lines.
  • Architects tried to harmonize with the natural environment.[1]
  • Art Nouveau is considered a "total" art style, embracing architecture, graphic art, interior design, and most of the decorative arts including jewellery, furniture, textiles, household silver and other utensils and lighting, as well as the fine arts.
  • According to the philosophy of the Art Nouveau style, art should be a way of life.
  • In Australia, Art Nouveau was spread by the growth of art and craft education in technical schools and adopted by various commercial enterprises but it was rarely used for complete room or building schemes. [2]
    This fully restored 1910 Scottsdale home sold on 25 November 2015 for over $449,000.
    This fully restored 1910 Scottsdale home sold on 25 November 2015 for over $449,000.
  • Architecture, decorative art, household furnishings and fittings of many types were adapted by designers into the Art Nouveau style. 

Leadlight glass in Art Nouveau style

Leadlight glass and timber designs at 269 Barkly Street St Kilda Vic 3182
Leadlight glass and timber designs at 269 Barkly Street St Kilda Vic 3182

  • "At auction on 28-Nov-2015 a family won a St Kilda lifestyle in a handsome timber Edwardian house with three bedrooms, three bathrooms, first-floor retreat and wine cellar.
  • But they faced two other bidders for 269 Barkly Street, and paid Wilson Agents’ Niels Geraerts​ $2,311,000, $171,000 over reserve."
Leadlight glass at 269 Barkly Street St Kilda Vic 3182
Leadlight glass at 269 Barkly Street St Kilda Vic 3182


Design for stained glass in Art Nouveau style (Lyongrun plate A 3), from: Arnold Lyongrun, Berlin 1900
Design for stained glass in Art Nouveau style (Lyongrun plate A 3), from: Arnold Lyongrun, Berlin 1900


Leadlight glass windows at 269 Barkly Street St Kilda Vic 3182
Leadlight glass windows at 269 Barkly Street St Kilda Vic 3182


Timber fretwork in Art Nouveau style

Federation homes are known for their often exuberant timber ornamental decorations: friezes, fretwork, balustrades, art nouveau- style swirled brackets and arch.

Omar, Scottsdale Tas built 1904
Omar, Scottsdale Tas built 1904
Interior Art Nouveau arch at 52 King Street, Scottsdale TAS 7260
Interior Art Nouveau arch at 52 King Street, Scottsdale TAS 7260
external image 480342_2_l.jpgexternal image 480342_5_l.jpg
external image image10%25252052%252520King%252520Street%252520Scottsdale.jpg
Art Nouveau arch at Scottsdale, note Wunderlich metal ceiling in floral design
Art Nouveau arch at Scottsdale, note Wunderlich metal ceiling in floral design



Alistair Brae Pymble
Alistair Brae Pymble
Werona Bed and Breakfast Launceston Tasmania
Werona Bed and Breakfast Launceston Tasmania

Centennial Park Art Nouveau


Centennial Park is a small residential suburb, on the western fringe of the Centennial parkland, which is part of the local government area of the City of Sydney.
  • The suburb developed as a result of a decision to sell off land adjacent to the park to raise money for the park development. One hundred and one acres of land were subdivided in 1904.
  • To ensure high standards of residential development, certain requirements were imposed. No wooden buildings or terrace homes were allowed; brick or stone were mandated, with tile or slate roofs.
  • Between 1905 and 1925, a wide range of substantial, quality homes were built, featuring a mixture of Federation, Arts and Crafts, Victorian and Old English styles. Homes are centred mainly on Martin Road, Robertson Road, Lang Road and Cook Road.[3]
70A Cook Rd Centennial Park NSW
70A Cook Rd Centennial Park NSW
28 Lang Road Centennial Park NSW
28 Lang Road Centennial Park NSW
Art Nouveau Leadlight glass at 74 Lang Road Centennial Park
Art Nouveau Leadlight glass at 74 Lang Road Centennial Park
Ceiling at 100 Lang Road Centennial Park  NSW
Ceiling at 100 Lang Road Centennial Park NSW
Leadlight at Centennial Park, built in in the early 1900's
Leadlight at Centennial Park, built in in the early 1900's
Beautiful Art Nouveau Leadlight glass at 39 Robertson Road Centennial Park NSW
Beautiful Art Nouveau Leadlight glass at 39 Robertson Road Centennial Park NSW
39 Robertson Road Centennial Park NSW
39 Robertson Road Centennial Park NSW
39 Robertson Road Centennial Park NSW
39 Robertson Road Centennial Park NSW
39 Robertson Road Centennial Park NSW
39 Robertson Road Centennial Park NSW
39 Robertson Road Centennial Park NSW
39 Robertson Road Centennial Park NSW

Art Nouveau Furnishings

An eclectic mixture, beginning with Australian pieces
Australian interior from "The Federation House" by Hugh Fraser and Ray Joyce
Australian interior from "The Federation House" by Hugh Fraser and Ray Joyce
The Robert Prenzel wardrobe
The Robert Prenzel wardrobe
French Art Nouveau chair with gilt wood frame
French Art Nouveau chair with gilt wood frame
Belgian oak Art Nouveau display sideboard
Belgian oak Art Nouveau display sideboard
Austrian Art Nouveau mahogany dressing table
Austrian Art Nouveau mahogany dressing table
Arts and Crafts Oak Hallstand by Shapland and Petter c1905
Arts and Crafts Oak Hallstand by Shapland and Petter c1905
ART NOUVEAU DISPLAY CABINET IN MAHOGANY
ART NOUVEAU DISPLAY CABINET IN MAHOGANY
Art Nouveau bookcase
Art Nouveau bookcase
tiled-top-AC-table
tiled-top-AC-table
Edwardian walnut display cabinet sideboard
Edwardian walnut display cabinet sideboard

Wall and ceiling designs

Art Nouveau interior design comes as a combination of artistic decorative baroque with modern and contemporary details.
Its characteristics are sweeping, feminine shapes. Its beauty is undeniable and a lot of people love it.

1907 English Art Nouveau Wall and ceiling designs
1907 English Art Nouveau Wall and ceiling designs

22 Classy Art Nouveau Interior Design Ideas
22 Classy Art Nouveau Interior Design Ideas
22 Classy Art Nouveau Interior Design Ideas
22 Classy Art Nouveau Interior Design Ideas

A delightful Federation Lounge room with original fireplaces and ceilings. Sherwood, circa 1910, 307 Mowbray Road Artarmon
A delightful Federation Lounge room with original fireplaces and ceilings. Sherwood, circa 1910, 307 Mowbray Road Artarmon

  1. ^ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_Nouveau
  2. ^http://sydneylivingmuseums.com.au/exhibitions/art-nouveau
  3. ^ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centennial_Park,_New_South_Wales