Architecture & Design 3: Decorative Features 

Pre-1918 homes display various decorative features that add richly to their character.

Balconies, a typical feature of seaside domestic architecture, are widely seen – making the most of the area’s plentiful sea views. As was generally the case in the Edwardian era, these tended by be made of wood. Decorative woodwork is also seen in Edwardian porches and on eaves.

Turrets and cupolas are also seen throughout Chalkwell, designed to add interest, particularly, but not exclusively, on corner sites. Three main types are all exemplified here: cupola (illustrated above), pepper-pot and the evocatively named witches’ hat (as seen above, right).

Front doors are important in contributing to the character of a home, and Chalkwell boasts a wide variety of different styles, from the wide double doors set with stained glass often seen in Edwardian homes to much plainer examples, such as shown below, which also suit their context and lend character to the property.

Windows were also used as a decorative feature in the Edwardian period. Sliding sashes were commonly used, often featuring a mix of large and small panes to add interest, and sometimes also incorporating stained glass. Number 34 Leigh Road (featured above) is a good example, combining a variety of decorative features to produce a harmonious result.

Early twentieth-century houses of this era generally featured a walled front garden, often of clinker brick (illustrated above; see Useful information for further details), identified by their burnt and broken bricks. While many of these have now disappeared, many still remain, and may be seen in many roads – and notably on three of the four corners of Chalkwell avenue at its junction with Kings Road.

Paths leading up to the front door were often constructed of terrazzo, or using a pattern of tiles. Sadly, today, most of these have disappeared, either as a result of re-laying or through the replacement of garden area with parking space, which, though practical, detracts from the overall appearance of the property.