Georgian

Home for the rich

The well-off lived an elegant and cultured life. Many were newly rich, industrial entrepreneurs who had fashionable homes built for themselves to show off their wealth and new status in society.

One such man was Matthew Boulton. His home, Soho House, Birmingham, is shown in the picture. It was here he met with some of the most important scientists, engineers and thinkers of his time - the Lunar Society.

They entered through a Classically styled portico, and were received in tastefully furnished reception rooms leading off the hall.

Upstairs bedrooms led off a landing - no longer did one room lead off another as in earlier centuries - a sense of privacy had developed.

Soho House is possibly the first centrally heated house since Roman times.

What features of the house show the great interest in the Classical designs of the Ancient Greeks?

Click the picture for an answer