Stonnington is as equally renowned for its rich architectural history and period glamour as it is for its modern masterpieces, many of which have been curated and built by design leaders local to the community.
Identifying a style of home simply from its facade can be a convoluted task in itself. As such, we’ve outlined the key traits, construction materials and time periods from a selection of housing styles commonly found in the City of Stonnington, with the aim of enhancing your understanding of the spectacular homes that line its streets.
Victorian
Mid-late Victorian homes were originally popularised between 1860 – 1901, with their main features generally consisting of ornate iron fretwork and external skirting, picket or palisade fences and decorative brick outer walls. Double hung sash windows, stained glass entry way windows and arched hallways are also prominent elements of these properties, with Italianate features more commonly incorporated in the later Victorian era.
Edwardian
Heavily influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement which promoted an appreciation for hand crafted design, Edwardian homes comprise larger proportions, wide hallways, red brickwork, parquet wood floors and a preference of timber fretwork both externally and internally, as opposed to the iron detailing adopted by Victorian homes
Georgian
Spanning over a century commencing in approximately 1714, Georgian homes were built with a heightened sense of space and light at the forefront of its design, and a distinguishable flat brick façade often painted in lighter shades. Ceilings roses and cornicing, as well as iron railings and decorative exterior details are more common in Georgian homes of the 1800’s, with less detail incorporated earlier on in this period.
Art Deco
Born out of the Great Depression in the late 1920s, Art Deco homes characteristically consist of a solid brick foundation, with two main styles commonly portrayed; exposed brick with ornate period features, and a symmetric design with white/cream rendered walls and rounded corners both internally and externally. Decorative panels, ceiling cornices and steel window frames are a key element of their design. Those who have a core interest in this infamous style will be familiar with the art movement where Art Deco architecture was initially unveiled at an exhibition held in Paris in 1925, however it wasn’t until the late 1920’s and early 1930’s where this design was truly established.
Tudor
Tudor, and similarly mock Tudor homes have a distinct ‘storybook’ appearance which is technically a revival of Medieval styles from 1600 -1700. Designed to withstand colder climates with lots of rain and snow, these homes were popular in the northern half of the US, as well as Great Britain. Features include a steeply pitched roof, front facing gables, decorative timber panels and chimney pots.
Modern
Modern architecture is home to the open plan, minimalist aesthetic whereby space and light are prioritised, along with a highly functional and flexible floorplan. Sleek, simplistic exteriors and geometric walls are consistent features in modern/contemporary design, with characteristics including large windows, light engineered oak floors, stone benches and cleverly concealed storage. Many modern homes seek to blend seamless indoor/outdoor environs through kitchen window splash backs, skylights and sliding or bi-fold doors that integrate effortlessly with alfresco entertaining.
For more information on design and architecture, contact one of our established sales executives at our Toorak office.