A Georgian or Regency house conjures up a distinct and much admired image. Elegance, refinement and beautiful proportions have made this period an inspiration for later architects and a popular choice for today's house buyer. Whether it is the grand, symmetrical facades embellished with classical motifs or elegant terraces arranged around spacious communal gardens, this easy to understand guide looks behind the distinctive public face of houses dating from 1714 to 1830. It explains how and why they were built, laid out and designed; how they appeared inside and who owned them. Using his own drawings, diagrams and photographs, author Trevor Yorke explains all aspects of the Georgian and Regency house and provides a comprehensive guide for those who are renovating, tracing the history of their own home or simply interested in houses of this notable period. The book is divided into three sections. The first outlines the history of the period, which affected how houses were planned and built, explains the development, structure and design, and describes the plans, materials and construction. The second steps inside and looks at the different rooms and their fittings, what they were used for and how they would have appeared. The final section contains a quick reference guide with notes on dating houses, suggestions for further reading, a glossary of unfamiliar terms and details of places to visit.