Tag Archives: architecture

The Working Man’s Cottage in Late Regency/Early Victorian Eras

Posted on September 19, 2025 by Regina Jeffers

The Working Man’s Cottage During the Regency By the time George IV   took the reins as the   Prince Regent, England   was the most powerful     industrial nation in the   world. Centres of commerce sprung up, bringing with them an increase … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, buildings and structures, George IV, Georgian Era, Great Britain, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, Regency era, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

The Inventions of Thomas Jefferson Found in “Mr. Darcy and the Designing Woman”

Posted on November 15, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

Thomas Jefferson is best known for writing the Declaration of Independence, but what other “credits” might we attribute to him? He was also a scientist, an inventor, an architect, and even a philosopher. “The papers of Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), diplomat, … Continue reading →

Posted in America, book excerpts, book release, British history, buildings and structures, eBooks, excerpt, Georgian Era, historical fiction, history, inventions, presidents, Pride and Prejudice, publishing, Regency era, Regency romance, research, Vagary, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

How to Rebuild Pemberley After a Fire? + the Release of “Mr. Darcy and the Designing Woman” + a Giveaway

Posted on November 13, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

Last Monday, my latest Austen-related book, Mr. Darcy and the Designing Woman, released. It has been the work of many days, and those of you who have read it already know there was a great deal of research involved to … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, book release, books, British history, buildings and structures, eBooks, estates, Georgian England, Georgian Era, giveaway, historical fiction, history, Living in the Regency, Pride and Prejudice, publishing, reading habits, Regency era, Regency romance, research, Vagary, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Trompe L’oeil & Grisaille in Historic Houses + an Excerpt from “Mr. Darcy and the Designing Woman” and a Giveaway!

Posted on November 10, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

To write “Mr. Darcy and the Designing Woman,” I had to learn the “technical” architectural terms for many architectural effects I enjoy viewing in historic houses and buildings. Two such terms are “trompe L’oeil,” and the other is “grisaille.” Trompe-l’œil (French for … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art, book excerpts, book release, British history, buildings and structures, eBooks, excerpt, Georgian England, Georgian Era, giveaway, historical fiction, Pride and Prejudice, publishing, reading, reading habits, real life tales, Regency era, Regency romance, research, tradtions, Vagary, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Robert Adam and Sir William Chambers, Two Major Architects of the Georgian Era and Their Influence on “Mr. Darcy and the Designing Woman” + a Giveaway

Posted on November 8, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

Adelphi is a district in the City of Westminster. The Adelphi Buildings, a block of 24 unified neoclassical terrace houses, between The Strand and the River Thames in the parish of St Martin in the Fields, was named “Adelphi,” for … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, book excerpts, book release, British history, buildings and structures, eBooks, excerpt, Georgian England, Georgian Era, giveaway, heroines, historical fiction, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, Pride and Prejudice, publishing, Regency era, Regency personalities, Regency romance, research, Vagary, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

It is Here! “Mr. Darcy and the Designing Woman: A Pride and Prejudice Vagary” is Available Today! + a Giveaway

Posted on November 6, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

Back in 2017, when I wrote Pride and Prejudice and a Shakespearean Scholar, an idea occurred to me, but I kept pushing it to the side, thinking I could not manage it. You see, in P&P&SS, Mr. Bennet is a … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, book excerpts, book release, British history, buildings and structures, eBooks, excerpt, film adaptations, Georgian England, Georgian Era, giveaway, historical fiction, Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, real life tales, Regency era, Regency romance, research, Vagary, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 23 Comments

Portland Place, London’s Widest Street and the Adam Brothers’ Legacy

Posted on June 9, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

Portland Place was designed by Robert and James Adam in 1767. Originally, Robert Adam had thought to make this area a veritable street of palaces. Unfortunately for Adam, all attempts to do so failed, and rows of townhouses, though spacious and more than a bit intimidating at times, was settled upon. A “close” of great houses it has been called. The width of the thoroughfare/street was determined by the 3rd Duke of Portland’s obligations to his tenant, Lord Thomas Foley, whose northward view from Foley House could not be interfered with: Therefore, the width of Portland Place is the width of Foley House. At around 125 feet wide, the street is commonly referred to as the widest street in London. The agreement was signed in January 1767 and confirmed by an Act of Parliament in April of that year. James Adam negotiated the understanding for the development, which, initially, only covered the southern half of Portland Place, as well as the streets leading off it to either side, going as far north as Weymouth Street. The agreement for the northern half was negotiated in April 1776. Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, aristocracy, British history, buildings and structures, Georgian England, Georgian Era, history, legacy, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, real life tales, Regency era | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Portland Place, London’s Widest Street and the Adam Brothers’ Legacy

Architectural Genius: Robert Adam vs. Sir William Chambers

Posted on June 7, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

Adelphi is a district in the City of Westminster. The Adelphi Buildings, a block of 24 unified neoclassical terrace houses, between The Strand and the River Thames in the parish of St Martin in the Fields, was named “Adelphi,” for it the Greek word meaning “brothers.” The Adam brothers (John, Robert, James, and William Adam) were the masterminds of this development in the late 1700s. They were built between 1768 and 1772. The ruins of Durham House on the site were demolished for the construction.

The Adelphi forms one of the most notable works of the brothers Adam. The design of the buildings was, for the most part, the work of Robert Adam, though his brothers, James and William, were also concerned with the scheme. Continue reading →

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The London Building Act of 1774

Posted on June 5, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

The Building Act of 1774 changed the look of London and set off rapid estate development. Many of the aristocracy decided to build large, expansive houses in London. The Duke of Manchester was one of those who took advantage of the situation and had a house built on Portman land in what is now called Manchester Square. Stratford Place was built on a triangular piece of land purchased from the City by the Honourable Edward Stratford. Nowadays, it is sometimes referred to as “London’s grandest cul-de-sac.” Continue reading →

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The Cotton or Cottonian Library

Posted on January 6, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

A bust of Robert Cotton by Louis-François Roubiliac ~ Public Domain ~ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_Robert_Cotton,_1st_Baronet,_of_Connington#/media/File:Robert_Bruce_Cotton_bust_BM_1924_0412_1.jpg Keeping with Wednesday’s post on Circulating Libraries, I thought I might mention a library some, especially in the U.S. have not considered. The Cotton Library was founded by … Continue reading →

Posted in Age of Chaucer, architecture, books, British history, Chaucer, Church of England, England, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, history, literature, medieval, publishing, real life tales, Regency era, religion, research, war | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on The Cotton or Cottonian Library