In the past, Victorian decor was a fairly narrow style, emphasizing antiques, ornate architectural features and expensive finishes. While these decor ideas still suit the traditional Victorian interior, the look has opened up to include a more casual and, ultimately, more affordable style. Shabby chic, with its distressed finishes and re-purposed items, and bohemian modern, with its eclectic pieces, are two trends that can suit a Victorian theme.
Palette
The Victorian palette differs according to your style. Traditional Victorian decor features antique white, gold leaf trim, and hand-painted borders in cream, bright blue and sunny yellow as well as accent walls in jewel tones such as turquoise, emerald and ruby. The shabby chic palette lightens up the color scheme, featuring pale, icy pink, pistachio green, sky blue, cornflower blue, lavender and patterns in faded florals, paisley, stripes, dotted Swiss and toile. The bohemian modern interior veers toward more drama, with mottled Mediterranean greens and blues or mustard yellow on the walls, and furniture in distressed and faux finishes. All Victorian styles integrate rich finishes and texture with details such as vintage wallpaper, painted trim and tiles with raised patterns.
Furniture
Victorian furniture is well-made and typically comprised of solid wood. Traditional Victorian decor features dark stains and hand-painted embellishments such as fruit, flowers and birds on armoire panels. If you can't afford Victorian-era antiques, try a furniture makeover. Paint pieces in creamy white or use an antiquing kit to do a faux finish, distressing the final paint job by rubbing the furniture's edges with fine grain sandpaper. Use stencils or try freehand painting ornate scrolls on cabinets, wardrobes and shelves. You can also use the decoupage technique, cutting out a Victorian-style image and using artist's matte gel medium to adhere and seal the image onto furniture. Another option is to scour flea markets, thrift shops and the attics of friends and family for overlooked gems, such as a wrought iron bed frame, an ornate headboard or small end tables.
Accessories
Lighting is the key accessory in a Victorian home. Invest part of your budget in a vintage chandelier that can be the focal point of the dining room or living room. Wall sconces add a romantic mood, as do small light bulbs shaped as candle flames. Real candles are another beautiful source of mood lighting. Float tea candles in a floral teacup or set larger candles in pedestal-like ceramic holders. Drapery may be classic and heavy or may be comprised of ceiling-to-floor sheers. The shabby chic and bohemian modern looks favor curtains made of repurposed materials such as vintage dishtowels, pillowcases or aprons. Use gold frames with lots of flourishes to add a classic Victorian touch to paintings, family photographs and mirrors.
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