Victorian style decorating is a form of interior design distinguished by patterns, colors and textures with an overall elegant and luxurious atmosphere. Named after the the reign of Queen Victoria in the 1800s, this style draws inspiration from the grandeur of the era’s wealthy aristocratic homes.
Typical features of a Victorian-style room include paint colors in warm and earthy tones, intricately detailed wall panels, wallpaper with floral or striped patterns, and decorative crown molding. Statement pieces like armchairs upholstered in velvet, velvet curtains, elaborate drapery, and area rugs are all important parts to achieving the Victorian look.
Many accessories like ornately framed paintings, sculptures, vases, and wall-mounted mirrors can add to the decor of a room in a Victorian style. Moreover, heavy fabrics on the upholstery, furniture, and window treatments are often used to further create the luxurious atmosphere.
How do you make a modern Victorian house?
Creating a modern Victorian house starts with understanding the key characteristics of the style. Traditional Victorian homes tend to have distinctly ornate, symmetrical facades with grand porches, intricate detailing and bright colours.
These features should be evoked in any modern-style take on this traditional style but updated for a more contemporary, relaxed feel.
Elements like stonework and patterned brick, colourful mosaic tiling and bay windows are all easy to incorporate into a new structure. To keep the design modern, you could use plainer materials than in the traditional style, such as stone and metal, while wooden frames and furniture should be natural and light.
The interior should also follow suit, including classic touches like patterned wallpaper and grand ceiling mouldings, but use more sleek, natural materials like wood and modern fabrics on furniture and drapes.
Brighter walls and windows will help to keep the design airy, while art and accessories should be in complementary colours for a modern feel.
These changes will help to create a modern Victorian style home that looks as though it was renovated from a traditional property, providing a modern update to a classic look.
What are 3 characteristics of Victorian design?
Victorian design is a style of architecture, interior design and decorative arts that developed in the United Kingdom during the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901). Victorian design is characterized by ornate and elaborate designs, with a heavy emphasis on detail, elaborate furniture and objects.
Three characteristics of Victorian design are:
1. Ornate Details: Ornate detailing, such as ostentatious moldings and designs, is a hallmark of Victorian design. Flamboyant swirls and intricate patterns sprawl across fabrics, furniture, and other decorative pieces.
Gilding, stone and wooden carvings, and ornamental plasterwork are also common.
2. Heavy influence of Nature: The influence of nature is another common feature of Victorian design. Natural elements, like animals, flowers, and leaves, are often seen incorporated into furniture and decorative pieces.
Additionally, many of the pieces feature carved wood and stained glass designs that mimic natural forms.
3. Contrasting Colors: Dark and light hues, deep reds and greens, and cool blues and greys are often used in combination to create stunning contrasts. Jewel-toned accents add vibrancy and texture to the décor.
Natural materials like wood and stone are also used to highlight the beauty of the Victorian style.
How do I make my house look Victorian?
Creating a Victorian look for your home requires incorporating certain design elements that were popular during that time period. You can start by incorporating warm, inviting colors such as deep reds and blues, but be sure to create a cohesive color palette.
Choosing bold wallpaper and wallpapers with light scrolling patterns is a great way to achieve a more traditional appearance. To add some character to your home, look for furniture with details like claw feet and intricate carvings.
Drapery and upholstery fabrics should also be taken into consideration and can be found in a variety of patterns including damask and brocade. Other Victorian-era accents include gilded mirrors, ceramic vases, ornate chandeliers, and decorative ceiling fixtures.
Finally, to make a room stand out, consider adding plush furnishings, such as velvet and silk furniture and oriental rugs.
What colors were popular in the Victorian era?
The Victorian era was a time of dramatic change in fashion, from 1837 to 1901 when Queen Victoria reigned over the British Empire. During this period, shades of black and white were popular staples, especially for men, since conservative style was the goal for the day.
However, highly saturated and vibrant hues of navy blue, red, and olive green were also common during this period. Additionally, pastel shades of blue, yellow, pink and green were often seen in the portrayal of young ladies in paintings from the period.
For instance, in the “Reception of the Pirate Curlew” painting by Robert Seldon Duncanson, a young lady is depicted wearing a prominent pink dress. Furthermore, brown and dark purple were also often seen in the dress of English men and women in the late 1800s.
Despite the generally conservative nature of fashion, by the end of the Victorian period, bold and bright hues had become much more popular, leading to the introduction of bright floral prints and the ascension of the “old fashioned girl” in fashion magazines and photos.
Is Victorian style coming back?
Yes, Victorian style is definitely making a comeback. From homes and interiors to fashion, it seems like this period in time is having a major resurgence. From furniture and architecture to designs on clothing and accessories, Victorian-inspired decor and style is popping up everywhere.
For many people, it is seen as an ability to pay homage to a time when life was simpler and the world was more romantic. It has also become an interesting combination of classic and modern style. People are loving the intricate detail of the furniture, the pops of color and the old-meets-new aesthetic.
It’s become quite popular over the past few years, and it doesn’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon.
What do Victorian houses look like?
Victorian houses, often referred to as “Victorians”, generally refer to houses built during the Victorian era, which spanned from 1837-1901 in the United Kingdom. Typically, these homes have a symmetrical shape and are designed with ornamental details on the exterior.
Common characteristics of Victorian homes include steeply pitched roofs, a wrap-around porch, turrets, and intricate patterned trim. The designs often feature decor such as filigree, cornices, and spindles, and feature either one, two, or three stories.
The porches usually have elaborate details such as turned posts, balustrades, and ornamented brackets. The color choices are historically bold and often feature bright tones such as lavender, pink, or red.
Windows are usually disproportionately sized and sometimes feature whimsical designs such as leaded glass and stained glass.
Victorian homes often have interesting interior features such as elaborate woodwork, stained glass, fireplaces, and more. They normally have high ceilings and small rooms, which was the norm for this period.
Furnishings are typically elegant and antique, featuring ornate details and intricate designs.
What are the features of a Victorian house?
Victorian houses are characterized by intricate, ornate detailing and constructions, particularly around porches and windows. Painted wooden balconies, romantic filigree and fretwork, aluminum decorations, and highly decorated gables are common features on these homes.
Additionally, the traditional design of a Victorian home contains multiple levels, often with a steeply pitched roof and textured walls like those made of painted wood clapboard, stone, shingles, or stucco.
Victorian interiors typically feature large rooms with high ceilings, as well as fireplaces, decorative mantels, and patterned wallpapers. Dark wood is often used to create paneled walls and wainscoting, and a small library, wood-paneled study, or parlor is commonly found in the homes of this period.
Decorative plaster ceilings and intricate mosaic or parquet-style floors may also be present. Many Victorian homes have a decorative turret or tiled walkway leading to a main entrance, and the windows are often tall, narrow and arched or bay-shaped.
Lastly, dramatic, stained-glass windows are common in Victorian homes, along with detailed balustrades, or sawtooth or diamond patterned shingles on the roof.
How did Victorians decorate their homes?
Victorians often decorated their homes with ornate furniture, intricate wallpapers, luxurious textiles and baroque architectural details. They sought to create an environment that was as beautiful and comfortable as possible.
Fabrics were often chosen for their luxurious feel, such as silk, velvet, and taffeta. These were usually combined with elaborate accents such as fringe, embroidery and lace. Patterned carpets, heavy drapery and decorative wallpapers—especially flocked patterns—were popular, as were crystal and marble accents.
Furniture was similarly elaborate, often featuring carved and turned-wood detailing. Upholstered pieces were usually velvet, silk or satin and often featured curved lines and cabriole legs. Chandeliers, sconces and other light fixtures were often ornately decorated and integrated with the wallpaper and other decorative elements.
The Victorians’ attention to creating an environment that was both beautiful and comfortable ensured that their homes made a powerful and lasting impression.
How do I get a Victorian look?
Getting a Victorian look is all about creating layers of interesting textures and colors. Start by choosing a color palette that is muted and classic and emphasizes rich shades like navy or mustard. Next, select pieces of furniture with intricate detailing or tufting.
You’ll want to focus on armchairs, velvet-covered chairs, and sofas with claw feet. Don’t forget to pick up some additional pieces like a tufted ottoman or round, claw-foot table.
When it comes to curtains and upholstery, think velvets and brocades. Choose dramatic, floor-length curtains to draw the eye up to the ceiling and blend traditional fabrics with more modern materials for a truly unique look.
Don’t be afraid to mix and match different textures and colors of curtains, pillows, and throws to create interesting layers.
Lastly, don’t forget the accessories! Look for delicate, hand-blown glass vases, ornate frames, and vintage lamps to add the final touches to you Victorian home.
How do I know if my house is Victorian or Edwardian?
Firstly, the architectural style of your house is likely to indicate its era. In Victorian homes, you may notice ornate decorative detailing and asymmetrical layouts. Additionally, key features of Victorian houses include bay windows and terracotta roof tiles.
Edwardian houses, on the other hand, are more likely to feature classical columns, sash windows, and often a falcon roof with two panels.
You can also check the structure of your house, looking for notable Edwardian or Victorian elements. Victorian houses often have a bay window area and a stepped gable with a chimney, while Edwardian houses generally have a hipped roof or a canopy at the entrance.
Any glazing in your house may also help determine its age, as the traditional ‘leaded’ style is usually associated with older homes.
Furniture and decorations in your house can be another indicator of its age. Items from the Edwardian period often feature floral designs, with either gilt or gold accents, and furniture may have curved legs and mahogany wood veneers.
Homeware from the Victorian era can be seen in heavier designs, such as velvet and damasks, with wooden pieces having carved details and intricate designs.
Finally, researching the age of your area’s oldest homes can help to determine your house’s age. If the surrounding blocks are already developed, looking at the oldest homes can give you an understanding of the approximate year of your property’s construction.
What is the difference between a colonial and Victorian home?
The difference between a colonial home and a Victorian home lies in the architectural style prominent at the time that the home was built. Colonial homes, so called because they were built during the colonial period in the United States, are characterized by symmetrical and orderly designs, steep roofs, and dormers, allowing for lots of natural light to enter the home.
They often feature a square or rectangular shape with a large center chimney, whereas Victorian homes tend to be much more ornate in appearance. Exteriors often feature scalloped wood trim, decorative cornices, and gingerbread detailing, while the interior of a Victorian home is typically marked by big stained glass windows and ornate fireplaces, along with enhanced woodwork and medallions.
Where Colonial homes often focus on functionality, Victorian homes are known for their rich and intricate details.
What are Victorian features?
Victorian features refer to architectural styles popular during the reign of Queen Victoria in Britain during the 19th century. These features usually have references to the Gothic and Renaissance styles, but are distinct and unique.
Characteristic of their time, they often include a wide variety of adornments such as turrets, bays, finials and gables. The revival of traditional styles was a major part of the architecture of this era and the Victorian era saw a greater emphasis on decoration than had been seen before.
This could be seen in the extensive use of patterned brickwork, stone carving, stained glass windows, and cast ironwork.
In interior decoration of the era, homes were now more like showpieces, with rich dark colours, plaster mouldings and intricate wooden trim. Wallpapers with bold designs such as stripes and florals became immensely popular.
Millwork, friezes and ceiling medallions were often used to decorate walls and add further definition. Furniture and other decorative items from this era are characterized by their attention to detail, quality craftsmanship and eclectic mix of materials.
Victorian features also express a confidence of the era, and celebrated the work of artisans. It is due to their intricacy and prominence that these features have remained so recognisable even to this day.
What is considered Victorian architecture?
Victorian architecture refers to the architectural styles developed during the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901) in the United Kingdom. Victorian architecture is often characterized by the use of ornate, decorative details, lavish use of complex materials, and an overall sense of grandeur and emphasis on texture and craftsmanship.
Popular features of Victorian Style architecture include steeply pitched roofs, turrets, towers, and other decorative elements. The interior of Victorian homes often featured intricately detailed patterns and finishes, such as carved and painted wood paneling, ornately painted ceilings, and stained glass windows.
Exteriors often included Victorian Classical features such as balconies, columns, quoins, and elaborate cornices and gables. Many elements of Georgian and Gothic Revival architects heavily influenced Victorian architecture, which is often seen as a combination of architectural styles.
Which style of architecture became popular in the 19th century?
The 19th century saw a number of architectural styles becoming popular, most of which began to emerge in the middle of the century and developed throughout the period. This included the Neo-Classical style, which was inspired by the ancient Greek and Roman architecture.
It featured columns, pediments, porticoes and symmetrical facades. Gothic Revival was also popular, following the Romantic trend of the time which sought to recreate the atmosphere of medieval Europe.
This style included ornamental details and pointed arches. In France, the Academic Eclecticism movement merged elements of the Classicism and Gothic Revival style. Another popular style was the Second Empire style, developed in France during the reign of Napoleon III.
This style was characterised by wide roofs with a mansard shape, decorated with intricate moulding and sculpture, and long, symmetrical facades. Finally, the Eastlake Movement was popular in the late 19th century, centered around the British designer Charles Eastlake.
This style incorporated furniture, interior design, and architecture, and featured dark woods, intricate carvings, and curved lines.