Georgian and Regency Houses Explained

England's Living History

by Trevor Yorke (Author and Illustrator)

The Georgian and Regency house conjures up a distinct and much admired image. Elegance, refinement and beautiful proportions have made this period an inspiration for later architects and a popular choice for today's house buyer. Using his own drawings, diagrams and photographs, author Trevor Yorke explains all aspects of the Georgian and Regency house and provides a comprehensive guide to the homes and houses of this notable period. The book is divided into three sections, outlining the history of the period; stepping inside the different rooms and their fittings, what they were used for and how they would have appeared; and the final section contains a quick reference guide with notes on dating houses, suggestions for further reading, a glossary of unfamiliar terms and details of places to visit

Genres: Architecture, Nonfiction, History, Regency, Research, Georgian, British Literature

128 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 2007

Reviews

[Nick Imrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent little book - it does exactly what it says on the tin, so I'm having a tough time thinking of anything worthwhile to say about it.

There are some lovely diagrams of the buildings, pointing out all the typical features and naming them, and then a wonderful collection of photos showing all the details. These are black and white, but mostly still very clear.

The best part for me was the diagrams showing typical layouts and room use, especially when thinking about servants quarters. I gained a much clearer idea of how the servants quarters and the working areas extended backwards in a town house. The picture of a typical Georgian kitchen was invaluable. And it made the family use of the rooms a lot clearer for me - especially the fact that they typically had two floors of daytime rooms, so people did go upstairs to have a cup of tea together. They weren't drinking tea in bed! It was just that the morning room was upstairs.

[K.M. Weiland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grabbed this book as a research tool, fully expecting it to be dry reading. Happy surprise! This is a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes of the intimate daily lives of centuries-old England. I'd go so far as to see it's a must-read for anyone researching the period and wanting to gain crucial facts for writing about it. The author covers architectural styles, building materials, interior decorating, and room-by-room discussions of urban and country homes.

[V · Rating 3 out of 5]

All I know about architecture and what goes into building a house I learned working at the Home Depot for a couple years and casually sometimes watching home improvement shows but I still found this book easy to understand. I like how it's organized with history of the time period, explanation of the outside of the house, explanation of the inside of the house, and then back of the house. It goes space by space room by room. Quick read and very informative. I imagine if I actually lived in England and wanted to know more about my house it would be an excellent resource as there's also a lengthy bibliography and further listed places to visit to continue research. Loads of pictures detailing examples!

My ebook version was really bad for some reason. It wasn't formatted right so that sometimes it fit perfectly on my screen and sometimes I had to resize because the last letters on the words on the right were cut off. I guess the margins weren't consistent? it was really strange.

[Holli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slim but excellent introduction to houses in England from the Georgian and Regency period.Written in an easy to understand and conversational tone. Covers basic architecture, materials used, and descriptions of interiors. The photographs and drawings are invaluable in visualizing what living in these houses might have been like. Though the book is mainly geared toward people who live in houses from the period I still found it really useful for my research. There are no citations in the main text but a bibliography in the back as well as recommended websites and places to visit provide a good base for further research.

[Anne Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting and informative, quick look at houses of the Georgian and Regency period in England. I wish the illustrations were a little larger since they are quite detailed and interesting. Photographs are also included to help identify specific features. A good reference for those researching, writing about, or reading about, these time periods.

[Erika · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the pictures and diagrams of house layouts. A lot of information was packed into this thin book, making it easy to read and informative. I liked the combination of lifestyle facts, history, architecture, and interior design. I am already reading the next in the series, about Victorian homes.

[MeltingPenguins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good. Though somehow it seems less organized than the volume for victorian houses.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Efficient with good details and pictures.

[Nicki Markus · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not the most riveting of books, but it does contain some interesting information that will be of use to me as I write my new book set in a Regency house.

The information on facades and layout of the rooms was pretty good, but I had hoped for a little more on the furniture, too, which the book didn't really go into, so I will have to look elsewhere for that knowledge.

Still, it was worth the money I paid for it and is an interesting and useful resource for anyone interested in the architecture and housing of the Georgian and Regency periods.

[Mary Robinette Kowal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was incredibly detailed and helpful. While the volume is quite slim, there is no wasted space in it. Mr. Yorke not only discusses the architecture, but also the social conditions that led to the adoption of various building practices.

If you are a writer working in the Georgian or Regency periods, this is absolutely a must read.

[Jillian Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent research tool. It details the architectural styles of Georgian houses, with illustrations, and does a creditable job of discussing rooms and fittings (although not in the same detail).

[Judith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is essential for anyone writing fiction set in these periods. It is well-illustrated with clear B&W photographs, plans, and layouts of houses and rooms. It is a superb guide to anyone renovating their Regency house,

[Vic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative and to the point. I like it more than thicker books on the topic, for Mr. Yorke is able to discuss a complex topic in an interesting, informative and organized way.

[Jennie Goutet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book - very complete and it goes beyond the actual architecture and furniture and includes some history and customs of the period.