The Beauty of Victorian Decor!
Victorian decor is looking a bit shabby and old and dusty. It's the bridge between contemporary and traditional for the ultimate in comfort, functionality and style. While you may want your Victorian decor to be completely correct, it may not be easy to accomplish in a room that is frequently used. This style is best suited for rooms opened for special occasions, rather than everyday. There was no one dominant style of furniture in the homes Victorian period. Designers used and modified many of styles taken from various time periods in history with Gothic, Tudor, and Elizabethan, English Rococo, Neoclassical and others. The Gothic and Rococo revival style were the most common styles to be seen in furniture during this time in history. A fainting room was a room, used during the Victorian era, where women could go to rest when feeling faint. Fainting rooms often included couches where users could faint or recline without fearing bodily harm. Such couches or sofas typically had an arm on one side only to permit easy access to a reclining position, although the sofa style most typically featured a back at one end so that the resulting position was not purely supine. The key to using this decor in modern times is to strike the right elements of class and practicality. This idea extends to accessories as well; when choosing pieces for your Victorian decor, it is wise to use contrast in all aspects. A coordinating mishmash of patterns and solids make for a beautifully decadent Victorian look. Wallpapers should be packed with varying shades to add contrast. Favorites are violets, greens, blues and pink, and also deep garnet red. Homes of this era were stuffed with wallpapers, paneling, velvets, damasks, fringe, tassels, picture frames, artwork, woods, laces, flowers, candles, china, etc. Historic photos, beautiful antiques, and comfortable common seating, encourages you to settle in and feel immediately at home. A wealth of patterns can be incorporated into this style, such as paisley, plaids, damasks, brocades, and stripes.
For example, a lamp with a black base would do well with a lighter shade decorated with flowers of varying colors. Dresser scarves, tablecloths, small vintage lamps, lots of picture frames in wood or silver or antiqued brass, old bound books, hat boxes, silver and crystal candlesticks, cut-glass bowls of potpourri, dried roses in old-fashioned vases, teapots and cups, parasols, folding fans, Persian or sheepskin rugs, framed Pre-Raphaelite prints, fringed shawls. You will delight in the mix of lace, rose wall covering, collection of ladies hats, childhood toys, old quilts, and family photos from the late 1800's and early 1900's. The English are supreme gardeners and take great joy in their gardens. In fact, Americans fashion our gardens after them. English gardens are known for their beautiful green lawns, flowering shrubs, bushes, and climbing vines. Victorian gardens have lots of color and greenery with plants crawling up buildings and herbs lending their fragrance. There are many styles of English Gardens that are visually attractive with their vast flowers, shrubs, trees and plants, and are also quite practical. Today's English gardens are bouquets of history, sweet to the nose, beautiful to the eye and restful to the mind. Victorian decor, to me, is a gracious, loving, and peaceful environment to come home to. Victorian interiors are lush and rich, filled with lots of color, texture, and personal touches. Victorian decor adds richness to your home that few styles can match; when done correctly, it can leave guests breathless.
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