Georgian dolls houses – how to achieve a genuine Georgian house style

Influences and style

To achieve a genuine Georgian house style when building or decorating your own Georgian dolls house it is important to understand the influences and style during this period which spanned from 1714 to about 1830.  During the Georgian period people really began taking an interest in fashion and interiors.  The upper classes would often enjoy a Grand Tour of Europe for a year or two and during this time were heavily influenced by the fashion & interior design they saw on their travels.  This influence also extended to the design and style of the Georgian dolls house.   Other major influences included the architecture of Inigo Jones and the Orient.

The style of the time was all about delicate colour schemes and woodwork, dainty furniture, harmony, balance and a sense of light and airiness to the rooms.

Characteristics of a Georgian dolls house

The most popular colour schemes evolved from the heavier burgundy, sage green and blue greys of the early Georgian period to much lighter greens, sky blues and dusky pinks.

For a genuine Georgian effect dolls house walls should be panelled up to the dado rail and then painted or papered above. Repetitive patterns in wallpaper such as trefoils and far eastern designs were very popular. Wallpaper also reflected the trend for block printing towards the end of the Georgian era and featured simple, bold geometric patterns such as squares and stripes.

Floors of Georgian houses were typically bare boards covered with Oriental rugs.  Or, if the property was more up market, the floor would have been a pale coloured stone or marble.

Furniture was delicate, for example wing chairs and chairs with hoop or shield backs.   Cotton with a delicate floral pattern was the fabric of choice for soft furnishings.  It was important to match the sofas, armchairs and curtains, and the latter were often adorned with pagoda style pelmets.  Often armchairs and divans were protected with loose covers made from cheap, striped linen and these were removed for entertaining on special occasions.

Georgian lighting featured chandeliers made from glass, metal and wood, as well as brass, silver, or silvered wood wall lights.  In less expensive properties light fittings were often pewter or tin.

The Georgians loved their fireplaces and the grander the house the more elegant and eyecatching the fireplace!  Carved surrounds with swags and shells were an indication of wealth and status.

Ornaments and pictures would usually be grouped around the fireplace to emphasise the importance of the fireplace as the focal point of the room.

Mouldings on the ceilings often consisted of elaborate ribbons and swags, classical figures and urns.

Georgian front doors generally had central knobs positioned at waist height and no letterboxes.  Also, there was often a filigree fanlight with a canopy and pediments. Original Georgian properties had sash windows and shutters.

Take a look at our Georgian dolls houses