This book covers the decorative housebuilding period in British history, resulting in the growth of the leafy, middle-class suburbs. Edwardian houses today represent some of the most desirable homes available in urban areas, but little is known of the social, cultural and architectural background. Helen Long examines a wide variety of different factors influencing the appearance and structure of these houses - from popular home decoration magazines and household instruction books, to the new Ideal Home exhibitions. The first part of the book looks at Edwardian society, the general background to the design of Edwardian houses and the ways in which people originally decorated and lived in them. The second part looks in more detail at the enormous range of decorative fittings available and the cultural, technical and economic reasons behind the design choices that were made. All aspects of the interior are described and illustrated, from fireplaces to doorways; windows to light fittings, and wallcovering to bathrooms. This book includes a guide to investigating the history of the Edwardian home. It should appeal to the many people who live in these popular houses today and who wish to understand more about the processes by which their home came to exist and the reasons why their house displays certain decorative features.