PROPERTY OF THE MONTH

A Georgian gem

With their high ceilings and impressive interiors, Georgian homes often take a starring role in film and TV dramas. Inspired by the classical buildings of ancient Greece and

Rome, these houses were built in the period broadly spanning the years between George I’s reign from 1714 to the death of George IV in 1830. The style of properties ranges from grand country mansions to graceful townhouses.

‘The Georgian period is one of the most popular for homebuyers thanks to the buildings’ symmetrical facades, high ceilings and grand proportions,’ says estate agent Luke Morgan from Strutt & Parker. ‘It looks amazing when you see a beautiful Georgian manor house surrounded by trees in blossom and flowers in bloom.’

By the 1770s, the exterior and layout of Georgian homes had become fairly standardised. Townhouses were flat-fronted, with the most important rooms given large sash windows. Semi-circular fanlights appeared over the front door, which now had steps leading up it, and railings ran at the front of the property. The kitchen was in the basement, with the scullery at the back.

There might be a place for coal storage, with a cellar under the pavement. The first floor was called the ‘piano noble’, literally ‘noble floor’, where the most important guests were received.

Less-favoured callers would be shown straight into the morning room on the ground floor, where the dining room was usually situated too. This might also be known as the study or, in larger houses, the library. It would be on this floor that the whole family would gather informally.

‘Georgian homes have great character and originality and are so versatile,’ says Julia Shipston, who is selling her twobedroom Georgian terrace in Brighton, East Sussex. ‘I’ve turned my basement kitchen into a nice, big social space. But modern features, such as underfloor heating, have been crucial to create a warm, energy-efficient home.’