Edwardian Verandah Done

A verandah is a place where the household gathers to enjoy the cool outdoor breeze and relax.

The word verandah originated from India where it is found in many native languages. A verandah is the extension outside the house which is covered with a roof. It can be either in the front of the house, back of the house or in the sides. It can even extend all around the house. A back verandah is normally referred to as the pergola.

In most Asian homes the Verandah is the first place you get in touch with the members of a household. The entry into the house is through the Verandah, some exceptional guests are welcomed in the Verandah and then taken into the drawing room, whereas people like the vendors, postman and others are dealt with in the Verandah and sent off. The happenings in a Verandah is visible to the outside world, hence it is a very safe place to be in .Unfortunately now with population explosion in most metro cities there is acute need for land and so these grand old houses with Verandahs are giving way to high rise buildings and the culture of Verandahs is slowly diminishing.

The architecture of verandahs varied through ages. The late Victorian and Edwardian verandahs had many unique features. The posts were turned and shaped and made of timber. The walls were of red brick with white mortar running along the brick joints. Roofs were capped with frilled ridges made of terracotta.

Bay windows were predominant.

Verandah columns were of timber with elaborate decorations. These columns or timber posts were either in single or double with the corners featuring triple posts

The Edwardian roofs were bull nosed and used corrugated iron.

The Edwardian houses were influenced by Art Nouveau which was in vogue at that time. Curved forms, plaster floral motifs, wrought iron doors and windows, leadlight, etc were the predominant features of many verandahs of that period.

The Edwardian verandahs thus used to be majestic and royal looking enhancing the appearance and adding value to the house apart from being a place where many a social gathering took place.

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