The verandah has long been an icon of Australian residential architecture, enduring for the better part of two centuries. But, what is it about the verandah that is so alluring that its popularity amongst home buyers and renovators still continues strongly into the 21^st century?

If you have ever sat under a verandah you may have found that there is an inexplicable sense of peace. Resting on the threshold of the house, looking out over the garden brings with it tranquillity and an enticing urge to put your feet up and stay a while.  There is timelessness and you may easily find yourself swept away, lazily dreaming of all the good things in life.

The broad brimmed shelter was introduced in the Old Colonial era. It provided a retreat from the summer sun. A place where family would sit to catch the cool cross-breezes as they gently blew through. It is our earliest alfresco structure where through the ages, families and friends have gathered to share a quite ale or 'pop the cork' in celebration. So effective was the cover of the verandah, that it persisted continually adorning homes throughout the Victorian, Federation and Edwardian eras. 

Growing prosperity in those early days saw the evolution of the simple verandah. Larger, more decorative styles became the trend. Where iron lace, turned posts and ornate tessellated tiles gave a home elegance, bringing a new romance to the once humble awning.  Walking the grand verandahs of our Victorian era 

mansions reminds us of the nobility and status of the prosperous folk who came before us. Curiosity and expectations surge as we follow the tiled pathway that sweeps around the corners of these great homes. One can but imagine the family sitting out with iced drinks watching whilst the children played upon the lawn.

Generations of children too have spent endless hours of their childhood, playing under the safety and security of this cool canopy that graces the family home. Summer days spent riding its perimeter on trikes, collecting bugs, playing hide and seek around the returns or immersed in imaginary play. Kids love this sanctuary that lies between the beauty of the great outdoors and the security of home. 

We Australians are wise and treasure our history. We value our homes that have a story to tell. This is evident in the consistent demand for these charming residences, whether they are large or small.  We have been restoring our 19^th and 20^th century heritage homes with tender, loving care since a resurgence in their popularity in the 1970s. Preserving not only a slice in time, but also a way of life, that will ensure the survival of the great Australian verandah for the pleasure of family generations to come.