Australiana

Australiana decoration in Federation houses

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The Discreet Charm of Federation

September 5, 2012 by Ingridweir^[1]

Sometimes it’s hard to really see something you’re so used to looking at. There’s so many Federation style houses in Australia, bricky, sitting squarely on the block- the old schoolmasters house seemed just one of many.



But in redesigning a house, I like to work with the style- not fight it or try to make it into something it’s not. So I bought a copy of The Federation House by Ian Evans to start to grasp the logic of these homes. Not to do a perfect restoration job, but to find a way of reinterpreting the elements.
And then a surprising thing; through looking intently at these houses- I came to really like them. Even though there are elements of English Queen Anne and American east coast– they express an emotional connection to Australia. Kangaroos & emus make their way into carved windows and stained glass and gargoyles. Waratahs and flannel flowers are transfered to wallpaper patterns & pressed metal ceilings. Sunrises are captured in wooden grilles. The political event of Federation, the states becoming Australia in 1901, changed the way people saw what was around them.

the front bedroom

from The Federation House by Ian Evans

The front room of the old schoolmasters house has a beautiful bay window, customized now with a built in window seat. Found this splendid drawing in the Evans book, really an encouragement to go all the way!

The most popular element of the Federation era still used in interiors today has to be the pressed metal ceiling- they are being uncovered, put in new, the metal sheets used in bars in Sydney. Had carried a hope that some might be hiding under the new ceilings of the old schoolmasters house- but a roof investigation didn’t reveal any.

Wunderlich factory 1895- making pressed metal ceilings

Along with the ceilings, the other inspiring part of Federation style are the windows- epecially the ones with coloured glass and patterns. The new sunroom was basically designed around these recycled windows – a beautiful reminder of the grace notes left behind from the Federation builders & the surprising vitality hidden in their craftsmanship.

Federation rose window in the bathroom

coloured glass windows used in the new sunroom

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Ian Evans writes that:"Federation-style houses constitute a unique statement of patriotism in architectural form. 

• The rising sun emblem that appeared on countless gable ends symbolised the dawn of a new age for Australia and was itself adopted as a national symbol.
• After more than a century of British cultural domination Australians had begun to find inspiration in their own country and in its remarkable flora and fauna.
• For the first time, the flowers, birds and animals of the bush were used to decorate plaster, pressed metal, glass, terracotta and fretworked timber."

Federation Cornice

In 1910 the Commonwealth of Australia was created by the federation of the states. In a new spirit of nationalism an attempt was made to create a distinctive Australian style.


The Federation style borrowed much from previous periods but some distinctive features evolved, particularly the use of motifs derived from native Australian plants and trees.

CN454

Ceiling:	300.00 mm
Wall:	275.00 mm
Length:	3.25 m

These scenes from 19th centurary Australia depict the spirit of the country at the time of federation. An historic and very Australian cornice.

CN424

Ceiling:	110.00 mm
Wall:	110.00 mm
Length:	3.60 m

Federation decoration often included images of Australian native flora. Cornice Cn424 shows wattle leaves.

CN451

Ceiling:	110.00 mm
Wall:	120.00 mm
Length:	3.60 m

The gum nut is essentially Australian.
Cornice CN451 uses the gum nut to express its Australian federation quality.
A great cornice for kids rooms or any room where you want something uniquely Australian.

CN35

Ceiling:	77.00 mm
Wall:	95.00 mm
Length:	3.60 m

Cornice CN35 is another gumnut themed cornice. It can be used on lower ceilings but other wise has the same Australian quality.

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1. ^
   
   http://oldschoolmastershouse.com.au/?p=1053