While the Edwardian Era technically only lasted from 1901-1914, it influenced the fireplace designs of the broader 1900s-1920s: such was its popularity. After the death of Queen Victoria, British homeowners were looking to freshen up their lives, socially and culturally. Manufacturers, feeling this shift, moved away from the elaborate designs of Victorian fireplaces and towards what we know today as Edwardian fireplaces.
What is the difference between Victorian and Edwardian fireplaces?
The primary difference between the two is their ornamentation and size. Victorian-era fires, spanning from 1837 to 1901, were influenced by styles that were popular during Queen Victoria's reign, like the Gothic, Rococo, and Renaissance movements. You’d often see fireplaces that featured intricate carvings, heavy mantels, and detailed tile work. Cast iron was a dominant material, often combined with marble and limestone to create a sense of luxury. Victorian fires were also large and imposing, favouring dark colours for decoration.
Edwardian cast iron fireplaces, while using the same materials, had a largely different aesthetic. These fireplaces are characterised by cleaner lines, more modest designs, and a preference for lighter materials such as wood and simpler forms of cast iron, usually painted in white or pastel shades.
What does an Edwardian fireplace look like?
These suites are inspired by design movements like the Art Nouveau, which swept across North America and Europe between the 1880s to 1920s. Edwardian cast iron fireplaces usually feature taller profiles compared to their Victorian predecessors. These designs typically include tiled inserts, which may be painted in lighter creams or whites with colourful botanical details. The tiles used in these fires may be embossed, tubelined, hand-painted, or transfer-printed, with glazed finishes that add mottled or iridescent effects.
The types of Edwardian fireplaces for sale today are often just as slimline as the original designs: this element reflected a growing preference for functionality, something 21st-century homeowners still struggle with!
What colours are Edwardian?
Colours most commonly associated with these fireplaces include white and off-white. These shades help highlight the more delicate lines typical of Edwardian fires and serve as a contrast to Victorian designs.
Pastel colours also became popular during this period. Soft hues like pale greens, light blues, gentle yellows, and soft pinks are still used today in the tiling surrounding the fireplace. The Edwardian movement also favoured natural, muted colours inspired by nature, such as soft browns, greens, and blues. You can find these colours in hand-painted floral motifs. Edward VII’s love for the arts was well-known, and it's more than likely that the King’s artistic flair had a hand to play in this era of fireplace design.
