Victorian homes feature steep, gabled roofs, intricate wooden details, asymmetrical facades and interiors with natural and romantic touches. Whether you're remodeling an old Victorian home or just adding Victorian touches, pay attention to period details like paint colors, fabric selections and furniture styles. The old can be new again with a little tender loving care, but don't be afraid to mix new pieces in with the old.
Victorian Architecture
Victorian style homes developed during the reign of Queen Victoria, which lasted from 1837 to 1901. Although the style is often called Victorian, it's the time period that is actually Victorian, and it encompasses many different architectural styles, such as Queen Anne, Gothic Revival and Second Empire. The Victorian era began during the industrial revolution, therefore many products for the home were available through machine manufacturing instead of handcrafting. Homes became less rigid and boxy, giving way to more colorful, elaborate and creative spaces. Victorian homes often have steep roofs with gables in the front, textured shingles, an asymmetrical facade and one-story porches. They were primarily made of wood with intricate machine-made trim. Choose historically accurate paint colors like green, dark red, gray and gold. Although white was common in the early 1900s because it was inexpensive, the Victorians much preferred vibrant colors from nature.
Inside a Victorian Home
The interior of Victorian homes are showpieces. They are meant to convey comfort, affluence and family tradition. They often feature high ceilings, and some may have tin or copper ceiling tiles. Paint for the interior should mirror the exterior, with fern greens, blood reds and warm golds. Use bold-patterned wallpapers. For window treatments, use bold fabrics like velvet, jacquard and damask. Offset these with lace sheers, pretty valances and ornate tassels. Stairs, doors and flooring should be dark wood, like cherry. Front doors and transoms often display ornate stained glass.
Accessories and Treasures
In a Victorian home, feel free to over-accessorize. The Victorians appreciated trinkets and treasures. Take your cue from nature and display dried flowers and potted plants. Nature scenes in art are appropriate for the period. Needlepoint and crocheted doilies are pretty accents, as are family photographs in silver frames. Hang heavy, ornate mirrors. Rugs should be rich and bold and heavily decorated. A piano would be perfect in a Victorian parlor or living room. Use romantic accents, like a stack of love letters tied with satin ribbon, a framed poem, floral motifs and cupids.
The Victorian style is perfect for knick-knacks and accessories. People during this period enjoyed displaying the family's treasures, so feel free to show off your trinkets in curio cabinets, on side tables and on shelves. Don't feel like you have to rely solely on antiques. There are plenty of contemporary pieces with Victorian flair. Mix the old and new items. Invest in a silver tea set and find lovely old leather-bound books at thrift stores. Furniture should be made of dark wood, including wingback chairs with overstuffed cushions.
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