the victorian style

During the Victorian era (Queen Victoria, 1837-1901), industrialization gradually gained ground in rural England. The Victorian decorative style, reflecting a certain degree of nostalgia, celebrates nature with a profusion of vegetal and floral motifs on rugs, wall paper and fabrics. Colors display Indian, Oriental and Gothic influences. This era, at once progressive, frivolous and austere, can be symbolized by a single piece of women's apparel: the corset.


Technological advances resulting from industrialization brought new comfort to people's homes, making heating stoves and bathrooms common. Brick became the dominant architectural medium. Victorian furniture was typically black. Ceramic, porcelain, lace, embroideries and shantung were used to enhance interiors. Papier-mache became popular and was used in amazing ways, to create boxes, office accoutrements and even furniture, which remains very sought-after today.

To decorate your living room in the Victorian style, take a two-door cabinet, with or without an upper section, and paint it black. Use it to display your favorite ceramics or porcelain, such as typically British floral chintzware. Add a bouquet of fresh peonies in a vase. Cover your sofa with a floral "Indian" style fabric, and paint the walls saffron, mauve or dark pink. Be sure to have plenty of cushions in all shapes and sizes: square, round, and long, decorated with beads, round bouquets, and ribbon embroidery. Padded chairs or footrests can be the finishing touches to this romantic, impertinent, fresh new decor.

Victorian papier-mache furniture: unisourcedesign.ca
History of the corset: wikipedia.org
English porcelain: museumoflondon.org.uk

tag : decorating home

May 2007 [inspirations]
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