Before you start decorating Victorian, picture a Victorian background set in the heart of a busseling town at the turn of the century. Whisps of mint and lavender brush your face as you stroll up the winding walk and approach the gingerbread house-like door. You feel like a kid. You can hardly wait to see what treasures await you inside!
Decorating Victorian style originated from Queen Victoria’s reign from 1837 to 1901. It can be referred to as very formal and slightly repressive, at least compared to today. People of this time experienced such abundance and culture that they hardly knew what to do with it. So, they used all of it! Status became very important. Where else better to display it than your house? This style will fit you perfectly if you love detail, like to be surrounded in femininity and luxury! The more the better! Below are a few ideas to boost your brain!
1. Don’t be afraid to use lots of intricate furniture pieces. Houses in this era were crammed with furniture! For sure use fabrics such as satin, silk and velvet. The furniture was carved in elegant swirls and dips as you can see below. It is a walnut three seater sofa with a pierced and scrolled "surmount" in the middle of the back. Upholstered in green velvet.
2. When decorating victorian, use lots of color, roof finials, crestings, wall carvings, inset panels of stone and terra cotta and stained glass to decorate the outside of your home. Excess is the key. Although there were several different kinds of Victorian houses the Queen Anne style was the most popular.
3. Go crazy with tassels, bows and ribbons. Frame a 2 or 3 piece photo collection. Take a 2-inch ribbon and cut it the width of the framed photos leaving 3-inches at the bottom, four inches at the top and about 2 inches in between the photos. Staple or hot glue the photos to the ribbon. Cut the bottom of the ribbon in an upside down V shape. Then tie a bow at the top and hang.
4. Decorate picture frames and lamp shades with lots of gold , jewels, shells, pearls and glass. Costume jewelry is fun to work with too! Let your imagination run wild!
5. Display Bohemian Crystal or any kind of glassware that is painted with ornate designs and flowers such as the one below.
6. Use wallpaper in tiny patterns of vines, scrolls and birds.
7. Consider elaborate crown molding. Carved molding can be costly, but remember you will make up for it in appreciation to your home. Buy a plaster ceiling centerpiece that fits around your chandelier. Paint it gold. You can buy these at Home Depot.
8. When deciding on window treatments, use an abundance of velvet and lace. Tie long curtains back with tassels and gold ropes. If you wish to allow more light in, use scrolled or scalloped valances trimmed with fringe.
9. Color is very important when decorating victorian, as you might imagine. Don’t be afraid to paint the walls rich colors, especially in dining or family rooms. In bedrooms you may want to go a little lighter to promote rest. It’s all up to you!
10. When decorating Victorian style in your bedroom, create a sense of luxury! Purchase around 10 yards, you may need more, of satin or velvet and sew gold fringe or beads along one edge. Buy 3 metal curtain tie backs hooks. You can find them at Target or your favorite department store. The fancier, the better! Attach them to the wall above the bed’s head board in a pyramid shape. Drape the fabric over each one of the tie backs and allow to pool in between. Voila! Instant royalty!
11. Claw foot tubs are a must! They are deeper than tubs nowadays and are wonderful for a warm bubble bath. A couple of years ago I bought one for around $50 by scouting the local newspaper. It had 10 or so layers of paint and gunk that had to be stripped, but it was well worth the effort! I added some hardware and had a piece of history right in my own bathroom. Decorating Victorian can be easy even if you don’t come from a Victorian background. It’s a great way to decorate, especially if you can’t bear to give up those knick knacks!
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