Victorian Decorating Style

A lot of homeowners go for Victorian homes these days. The decorating style dates back to the 1800s and was named after Queen Victoria of England who had the longest reign in the history of the country. During the Victorian period, people had a certain air of dignity and restraint which shows in everything including craftsmanship as seen in the vogue design of household items. The term "Victorian" not only applies to furniture but also art, architecture, and even social aspects such as morals and practices.

Even with all the changes during the introduction of the modern era, the uniqueness of the Victorian period has been preserved well enough that it is easy to distinguish if something is Victorian or not. The reason may entirely be due to the changes in how furniture are manufactured switching from man to machine in its creation. The early parts of the Victorian period saw drastic changes from hand labor to machine production since it was during that time that the Industrial Age was beginning.

Industrial manufacturing during the Victorian period changed the overall quality of the furniture. During the Victorian era, people have associated furniture with social status - the more furniture a household has, the better they appear in the social ladder. With the increased demand for furniture and the speed of manufacturing that is trying to keep up, it is impossible that there won't be any negative effect on the quality of the items. The competition between designers while trying to keep up with the pace of manufacturing also contributed to poor quality design. With modern technology, machines have improved and have become efficient, making speed and quality of work at its finest. Also, not everything is done by machine. Hand labor and machine work is now implemented to create good quality furniture.

Designing a Victorian-styled room can be quite difficult for some especially those who do not understand what makes the period so attractive. The first thing one must do is to read information about the Victorian era and know what makes it special. Here are some tips that could help you get started.

Dado and Walls - Victorian homes are usually designed to have a dado to separate the walls horizontally into two sections: the lower part and the upper part. The upper portion of the wall should have simple patterned wallpaper like long vine-like lines or brambles while the lower part should be plain with darker colors like brown or dark red. If the room is spacious, you can add paneling to the corners otherwise, I suggest you avoid it as it will make the room look a bit smaller than it actually is. Use thick and heavy fabric for window curtains with golden color if possible.

Furniture - Victorian furniture are made mostly of wood and rarely with metal. For wood, mahogany or black walnut is a good choice. They are usually dark-colored with a slight reddish tint. The designs on furniture are very detailed and have a slightly curved appearance especially in dining table or chair legs. The Industrial age began during the early parts of the Victorian period so manufacturers were eager to experiment on different designs they can make with the machines at their disposal. Fill your rooms with furniture like how people did back then for their homes. Choose Home Elegance furniture that would add contrast to the rooms overall look so it wouldn't look bland and boring.

Décor and Lighting - Chandeliers are a good choice for décor and lighting. Add a big one in your dining room to give it a nice classical look. Add candles on the Home Elegance dining table and covered lights on walls to give a nice ambiance and have a royal atmosphere. Home Elegance dining chairs should match the designs on the table. Add antiques to your sideboard and place it against some shelves and a mirror for completion.

By: Gradlein

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