Its name is Oaklands and it has stood hidden behind tall trees for many years, barely to be glimpsed although it is situated on a busy road. Only after the surrounding trees were cut down, in an effort to create a garden, so it seems, has it become visible. It appears that the house has been cleared out and is in the process of being renovated.
Presently the building is stripped bare except for few period details such as the tiled fireplaces, which have been retained.
I do not know details concerning the history of this particular house but can offer some general information. In the 1920s and 1930s over four million houses were built to cater for the demands of people who wanted to own their homes. Mortgages had become more affordable and thanks to the newly introduced hire-purchase schemes low income families could purchase all the products they needed. Machine-made, mass produced items replaced craftsmanship.
One of the two distinct building styles that developed had evolved from the earlier Arts & Crafts era. The houses consisted of a mixture of red brick and pebbledash and often had half-timbering, red clay tile roofs and tile-hung walls. Other features included parquet floors and large, plain, steel-framed windows that were frequently arranged in a curve so as to allow as much sunlight as possible to enter the house.
Leaded glass in iron casement windows set in wood can also frequently be found in such houses.
In larger homes, halls may have had panelled walls and parquet floors whereas linoleum or quarry tiles were used in the kitchen. Bedrooms often had fitted furniture, dark varnished floorboards and an electric fire, living rooms would frequently be carpeted.
Presently the building is stripped bare except for few period details such as the tiled fireplaces, which have been retained.
I do not know details concerning the history of this particular house but can offer some general information. In the 1920s and 1930s over four million houses were built to cater for the demands of people who wanted to own their homes. Mortgages had become more affordable and thanks to the newly introduced hire-purchase schemes low income families could purchase all the products they needed. Machine-made, mass produced items replaced craftsmanship.
One of the two distinct building styles that developed had evolved from the earlier Arts & Crafts era. The houses consisted of a mixture of red brick and pebbledash and often had half-timbering, red clay tile roofs and tile-hung walls. Other features included parquet floors and large, plain, steel-framed windows that were frequently arranged in a curve so as to allow as much sunlight as possible to enter the house.
Leaded glass in iron casement windows set in wood can also frequently be found in such houses.
In larger homes, halls may have had panelled walls and parquet floors whereas linoleum or quarry tiles were used in the kitchen. Bedrooms often had fitted furniture, dark varnished floorboards and an electric fire, living rooms would frequently be carpeted.
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