Regency Household: Italian Villa

ITALIAN VILLA DESIGN No 11 THE modern custom of erecting dwelling houses on a scale suited to limited establishments has induced the author to introduce in his work designs for small elegant villas in the Italian style which are externally appropriate to almost every species of landscape scenery either to the sequestered spot in the valley embosomed in trees or on the rising ground conspicuous from afar From the regularity of its architectural characteristics this style of building admits abundant internal arrangements and convenient accom modations on every floor and consequently the apartments may be fitted up either in a superb style of decoration or ornamented with economy and elegant simplicity In designs for villas on a moderate scale it is essential to preserve largeness of style or what in the painter's art is expressed in the significant phrase breadth of effect Where this essential quality is maintained the structure though comparatively small will assume an appearance of magnitude which is one of the properties of grandeur of style Dwelling houses of this character moreover have both in appear ance and in reality if well constructed that stability and strength which make them at the first glance desirable for occupancy On the contrary a house of the moderate dimensions of this Italian Villa when composed of smallness of parts appears not only unstable and mean but incapable of affording shelter It is therefore desirable that able architects should be employed in designing small as well as large dwelling houses for the general beauty of a scene as it is affected by architecture must depend upon the taste and skill displayed in the structures raised thereon and which it is intended they should adorn This design was made for the residence of HENRY GORE BOOTH Esq situate at Cullamore near Lissadell in the county of Sligo and adjoin ing the estate of his brother Sir ROBERT GORE BOOTH Bart The cost of erecting this Italian Villa in England in brick and stucco will be 2800 If in stone extra 700 3500




The design and description appeared in Domestic Architecture: Being a Series of Designs for Mansions, Villas, Rectory Houses, Parsonage Houses, Bailiffs’ Lodge, Gardener’s Lodge, Game-keeper’s Lodge, Park Gate Lodges, Etc. in the Grecian, Italian, and Old English Styles of Architecture. With Observations on the Appropriate Choice of Site; the Whole Designed with Strict Reference to the Practicability of Erection, and with Due Attention to the Important Consideration of Uniting Elegance, Convenience and Domestic Comfort with Economy … With Accurate Estimates Appended to Each Design (1833).


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2 Responses to Regency Household: Italian Villa

  1. M. L. Kappa says:

    Wouldn’t mind one of these!

    • Anne says:

      I do love these villa designs, and they often were sited with the prospect of a river or other body of water making them all the more magical.