Gothic Revival Style 1830 - 1860

Gothic Revival Style

The Gothic Revival style is part of the mid-19th century picturesque and romantic movement in architecture, reflecting the public’s taste for buildings inspired by medieval design. This was a real departure from the previously popular styles that drew inspiration from the classical forms of ancient Greece and Rome. While distinctly different, both the Gothic Revival style and the Greek Revival style looked to the past, and both remained popular throughout the mid 19th century. The Gothic Revival style in America was advanced by architects Alexander Jackson Davis and especially Andrew Jackson Downing, authors of influential house plan books, Rural Residences (1837), Cottage Residences (1842), and The Architecture of Country Houses (1850). This style was promoted as an appropriate design for rural settings, with its complex and irregular shapes and forms fitting well into the natural landscape. Thus, the Gothic Revival style was often chosen for country homes and houses in rural or small town settings.

The Gothic Revival style was also popular for churches, where high style elements such as castle-like towers, parapets, and tracery windows were common, as well as the pointed Gothic arched windows and entries. The Carpenter Gothic style is a distinctive variation of the Gothic Revival style featuring vertical board and batten wooden siding, pointed arches and incised wooden trim. The name comes from the extensive use of decorative wood elements on the exterior. While some examples remain, the pure Carpenter Gothic style is not well represented in Pennsylvania. 

The most commonly identifiable feature of the Gothic Revival style is the pointed arch, used for windows, doors, and decorative elements like porches, dormers, or roof gables. Other characteristic details include steeply pitched roofs and front facing gables with delicate wooden trim called vergeboards or bargeboards. This distinctive incised wooden trim is often referred to as “gingerbread” and is the feature most associated with this style. Gothic Revival style buildings often have porches with decorative turned posts or slender columns, with flattened arches or side brackets connecting the posts. Gothic Revival style churches may have not just pointed arch windows and porticos, but often feature a Norman castle-like tower with a crenellated parapet or a high spire.

Many examples of Gothic Revival buildings of both high style and more vernacular character can be found across the state. The high style buildings, mansions, churches, prisons and schools sometimes offer ornate architectural details. The more common vernacular buildings may have only a few Gothic details, usually pointed arch windows and a front facing gable with wooden trim. Gothic Revival details may also be found in urban settings on rowhouses or duplexes. Later in the 19th century, Gothic Revival details were mixed with elements of other Victorian era styles to become a style known as the Victorian Gothic. In the early 20th century, a distinct variation of the Gothic Revival style, known as the Collegiate Gothic style, developed primarily for educational buildings. These derivative forms of the Gothic Revival style are more fully discussed elsewhere in this field guide.

Victorian Architectural Styles

Victorian Architectural Styles

Among other artistic achievements, the Victorians produced wonderful works of architecture. We will look into some of the styles that architects developed from the beginning of Queen Victoria's reign in 1839 to her death in 1901. 

From the early Victorian period until about the time of Civil War in America, the Western World saw relatively simple styles of architecture that reflected styles of the past. There was an abundant revival of styles: Greek Revival (1825 - 1850), Gothic Revival (1840 and 1880) and a return to Renaissance forms. 

After the Civil War and as a result of a growing trend towards industrialism, Victorian architecture tended toward more complicated and elaborate designs. Prominent styles during this later period included Italianate (1840 - 1890), Second Empire (1855 - 1885), Stick-Eastlake (1860 - 1890), and Queen Anne (1880 - 1910). 

Victorians also began to paint their homes in unique colors. Cheerful pastels in pink, blue and lavender hues began showing up on the exterior of homes beginning from around the 1870s. 

The "Painted Ladies" in San Francisco, California and "Rainbow Row" in Charleston, South Carolina are all wonderful examples of this movement. The following are some popular Victorian styles of architecture.

Victorian bedroom design

Victorian bedroom design

If you love romantic, feminine, over-the-top, exquisitely ornate décor with a vintage look, you may want to consider a Victorian theme for your bedroom. Luxurious furnishings and lavish fabrics come together for a style that is both chic and Gothic.

During the Victorian era, fashion and design was influenced by worldly travel and the treasures brought back from faraway places like the Orient, Africa and the Middle East. Oriental or Persian rugs, silk, lace and velvet fabrics, fine porcelain and exotic animal skins are a few examples of authentic Victorian era design elements.
Art and culture were also very fashionable during the Victorian era. Ornate frames on paintings and mirrors and intricate carvings on wood furniture and molding were common as the Art Nouveau movement encouraged a renewed interest and passion for art and attention to detail in the craftsmanship of decorative furnishings.
Does your home have Victorian architectural features?
If you happen to live in a historical, Victorian style home, your bedroom may already have some of the architectural features of a Victorian room, such as:

• Hardwood floors
• Crown molding around the ceiling and walls
• Bay Windows

If your bedroom doesn't have any of these architectural features, you may want to consider laminate flooring, which is easier and less expensive than installing hardwood floors. Crown molding can also be easily added. Adding the right window treatments will give your bedroom windows a Victorian look.
Another way to create a vintage Victorian atmosphere in your bedroom is by adding wallpaper with a floral or damask pattern.
Start a Victorian themed bedroom by adding the appropriate furnishings.
The following elements will help transform your bedroom into a Victorian style retreat;

• Bed- An elegant wrought iron or metal bedframe with intricate scrolls and decorative finials would be an excellent choice for a Victorian style room. You could also choose an intricately carved wood bed frame or go all out with a four-poster canopied bed.
• Furniture- Add a classy Victorian style chair or chaise lounge for dramatic flair. Nightstands, dressers, armoires, benches, vanity tables and storage chests should have dark stained finishes. Detailed carvings and crown moldings fit the style.
• Lighting- Table lamps should have a classic Victorian style fabric and fringe lampshade. Meyda Tiffany also makes fabric and fringe nightlights, a perfect accent for a Victorian style bedroom. If you have a wall sconce, you can add a stained glass Tiffany style shade. An elegant chandelier can be used as an overhead light.

Continue the look with Victorian textiles.
Victorian style fabrics are feminine, luxurious and timeless.

• Bedding- Look for traditional style quilts or bedspreads with floral or damask patterns. A chenille or candlewick style bedspread with fringed edges would also work. Add plenty of decorative pillows and a throw. If you have a canopy bed, you may want to consider having a canopy custom-made with the same floral pattern on the pillows or wallpaper.
• Window Treatments- This can be as simple as hanging lace curtains or you can add curtain panels with tiebacks and a fancy valence for a more dramatic look. Use a decorative curtain rod with ornamental finials.
• Area Rugs- Give your bedroom a classic, upscale look with a beautiful Oriental or Persian area rug.

Add the final touch with Victorian style décor.
The rule of thumb with most contemporary decorating styles is less is more. You can go ahead and toss this out when decorating a Victorian style bedroom.

• Walls- Place Victorian era reproduction art prints in ornate gold frames. You could also add an ornately framed mirror.
• Mirrored Vanity Tray- A must have accessory for your Victorian style vanity table is an elegant mirrored vanity tray with vintage style perfume bottles.
• Vases, Ceramics, Candleholders- Add vintage style vases and ceramics. Look for these items in thrift stores, yard sales or on Etsy. Gothic style candle holders add a romantic touch.
• Plants and Floral Arrangements- Add a traditional pedestal or column plant stand for an indoor potted fern. If you are terrible at keeping a plant alive, try a silk plant. Colorful silk floral arrangements with roses, chrysanthemums, pansies, lavender and other flowers could be used as a centerpiece or arranged in a basket for a wall display.

With a Victorian decorating theme, it's okay to add a few more accessories or indulge in lavish furnishings and décor. By its very nature, Victorian decorating is over-the-top and slightly excessive. It's all part of the appeal of this uniquely rich, artistic and indulgent design style.