Melbourne’s Federation Style

Some of Melbourne’s most coveted homes were first built in Australia’s Federation period between 1901 to 1940. You can clearly see Australia’s growing confidence as a nation in architectural and decorative elements celebrating a country that was officially formed in 1900.

While floorplans were similar to Victorian and Queen Anne homes, Federation houses show a distinct difference in style with architects increasingly designing for the Australian climate and celebrating Australian flora and fauna.

Federation style is often referred to as the Australian take on Edwardian architecture. You can see motifs such as kangaroos, emus and Australian flowers on fretwork and in stained glass panels towards the front of many Federation homes. You may also find rising sun motifs which are a symbol of Federation.

Return L-Shaped verandahs were common allowing residents to enjoy the warmer weather under a corrugated metal verandah roof. Today this feature is as popular as ever with prospective buyers.

Red brick was often used to build Federation homes and these were complemented by wooden fretwork on the exterior. Tudor style influences can be seen on many homes with cream painted render between the woodwork. In timber homes, weatherboards were square-edged or bull-nosed and sometimes simulating blocks of stonework.

One sought-after feature of many Federation homes is the size of land they occupy. During this period in Melbourne’s history, when our city was the temporary capital of Australia, families were moving out and settling on larger blocks of land.

Period homes are always in high demand with buyers, especially those that blend contemporary luxury with period charm. The Federation style of home is one which will never go out of fashion and will continue to attract serious buyer competition in any market.

These homes currently for sale with Marshall White are perfect examples of classic Federation Homes that have retained their period charm, while being renovated for a new generation