In this episode of Home in Progress, host Dan Hansen explores the rich and intricate world of Victorian architecture—a collection of styles that flourished during Queen Victoria’s reign from 1837 to 1901.
Hansen unpacks the key visual hallmarks of the period—turrets, spindles, gingerbread trim, bay windows, and ornate color schemes—and the social and technological forces that made them possible. He traces how the Industrial Revolution transformed craftsmanship, allowing mass production to bring beauty and ornamentation within reach of the middle class.
Listeners will hear the dramatic story of the Great Fire of 1834 that destroyed the Palace of Westminster and sparked a design competition that launched one of the most influential collaborations in architectural history: Charles Barry and Augustus Pugin. Hansen explains how their Gothic Revival masterpiece reshaped British identity and inspired the exuberant architectural language that became synonymous with the Victorian era.
The episode also highlights the philosophical contributions of thinkers like John Ruskin and Pugin, who saw beauty and ornament as moral imperatives—an idea that spread from cathedrals to cottages. Hansen then follows the movement’s evolution into ever-richer styles like High Victorian Gothic and Queen Anne, before charting its decline under the influence of William Morris and the Arts and Crafts movement.
Finally, the episode reflects on the lasting legacy of Victorian architecture—its optimism, craftsmanship, and celebration of individuality—and concludes with a look at Benjamin Moore’s 2026 Color of the Year and a special listener contest.
Episode Timeline
00:00 — Introduction and Overview
00:07 — Victorian Architecture: An Era of Styles
01:52 — The Great Fire of 1834: A Turning Point
02:54 — The Industrial Revolution and Its Impact
04:57 — The Rise of the Middle Class and Architectural Changes
07:36 — The Gothic Revival and Its Champions
12:38 — John Ruskin: Beauty as a Moral Good
17:14 — From Philosophy to Painted Ladies
18:24 — Ruskin’s Influence and High Victorian Gothic
19:45 — Ornamentation and the Machine Age
20:44 — Queen Anne: Victorian Eclecticism at Its Peak
23:39 — Inside the Victorian Home: Layers of Luxury
27:54 — The Decline of Victorian Design
32:24 — The Lasting Legacy
33:59 — Benjamin Moore’s 2026 Color of the Year and Contest