Picturesque “Little Paris” Style Dwelling

Some of the most picturesque historic houses of Bucharest are those built in what I call the “Little Paris” style, which was very popular in the last two decades of the c19th until 1910s in Romania in general and especially in in its capital. It represents a charming hotchpotch of provincially interpreted French c19th historicist architectural styles mixed with a multitude of local Ottoman Balkan decorative elements. The image above shows such an example of “Little Paris” style dwelling, where one can notice the somehow rustic looking finishes of the classical/ rococo decorative motifs adorning the window openings or the house frieze. I very much like the c19th doorway with its little wrought iron framed glass awning. Some of the coloured glass panes are broken, but the structure could easily be restored.  The Ottoman Balkan inspired decoration is represented by the exquisite woodwork adorning the roof eave. Such “Little Paris” houses are relatively numerous in the central areas of Bucharest and would constitute in my opinion some of the most rewarding and cheapest potential restoration/ renovation projects available in this city.

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I endeavor through this daily series of images and small articles to inspire appreciation of the historic houses of Romania, a virtually undiscovered, but fascinating chapter of European architectural history and heritage.

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If you plan acquiring a historic property in Romania or start a renovation project, I would be delighted to advice you in sourcing the property, specialist research, planning permissions, restoration project management, etc. To discuss your particular plan please see my contact details in the Contact page of this weblog.