Have you watched "The Great Interior Design Challenge" or "Homes Under the Hammer" show and dreamt about those Victorian homes ? Does the load of other factors like cost,wiring,running behind approvals for the graded homes scare you ? Fret not because you can still bring in those Victorian Charm into your modern homes by following these tips, read on ...
Image Courtesy: Impressive Interior Design
But before that as usual a bit of history, why , because I love history and believe that knowing the history of a style gives us the liberty to appreciate the tradition as well as add our own interpretation while decorating.In UK and other British Colonies, any house built during the reign of Queen Victoria is called as Victorian Houses,no brainer there I guess.
Victorian style are more theatrical,detailed,bold and dramatic.The style included ecletic styles mixed with Middle Eastern and Asian Influences.Ornate furniture,rich colors in walls and accessories,wallpaper with elaborate floral patterns are some of the interior design which prevailed during that time.
Image Courtesy: Wiki
Fabric and Patterns:
Victorian style is more about showing off their wealth and all the rooms will be dressed more.
Reupholster your sofa in a victorian style fabric such as damask,floral or tapestry
Image Courtesy: Olive Tree Construction
Victorian pieces are done with an excess of tufting,fringing,pleating or gathering of fabric on furniture.
Adding tufting in the back of a velvet sofa is so Victorian.In Tufting styled upholstery, the fabric covering the sofa is pulled and folded into a geometric pattern and secured by buttons on the cushions.You can find tufted upholstery on chairs, sofas, chaise lounges and other seated furniture. It is even becoming popular for upholstered headboards.The most popular alternative pattern is the diamond-tufted pattern, in which the lines cross between the buttons in a diamond shape.
Image Courtesy: Curated Interior
Add fringes along the bottom of a little settee or on the sofas.If you want vintage look then use a shiny velvet upholstery or use a linen upholstery for a modern look.
Image Courtesy: One Kings Lane
Image Courtesy: Jonathan Adler
Fringing is not only for furniture anymore.Nowadays you can find it in chandeliers,mirrors also.As fringes can easily appear outdated, incorporate in unexpected places,like lighting, to keep the fun and style.
Image Courtesy: The Apartment
Lighting:
Decorate your room with Tiffany styled lamp to bring in that victorian feel to your home.Tiffany lamps comes in floor,table or accent style.
Tiffany Styled lamps are gorgeous stained glass panels in rich colors and comes in nature themes with borders of dragonflies, peacock feathers, flowers, butterflies, spiders, and webs.Original Louis Tiffany’s designs focused on using iridescent colored glass and are highly sought after.
Image Courtesy: Beeyoutifullife
Image Courtesy: Home Design Lover
Ornate Furniture:
Victorian furniture itself was extremely ornate although it ranged from heavy to delicate in style.The Victorians were keen on carved mirrors, picture frames and lamps as well as expensive hand-carved furniture to showcase their newly earned wealth.
Image Courtesy: Lasalle
I know it is a bit over the top but that is what Victorian style is all about.So add these ornate bedset into your room and feel like a queen.
If that is too over the top, then adding a modern bed frame coupled with a vintage nightstand, and elegant lighting can paint a picture of serenity draped in Victorian beauty.
Image Courtesy: Pinterest
Statement Pieces:
One thing that Victorian style is never short of is visual opulence.Modern style is more of whites,neutral and minimalism and subtle.But you can actually create a fabulous, inviting and stylish rooms by merging elements of Victorian design and a modern backdrop in a selective fashion.
Brilliant chandeliers, elaborate patterned wallpaper and glittering metallic accents will elevate the style quotient without ever interfering with its distinct style.
To add an elaborate floral patterned wallpaper to a modern room could be tricky.Instead add a statement wall with a pretty wallpaper that goes with everything else in the room. Don't go crazy with the color or pattern but something that speaks to the room as a focal point will bring the modern Victorian vibe.
Image Courtesy: Love this Pic
It is necessary to make sure the same color pattern is repeated in some other elements of the room decor. The ornament should also correspond with patterns on furniture upholstery and bedroom curtains: this way, the bedroom will look elegant and consistent.
Image Courtesy: Maison Valentina
Black and gold are a great combination for Victorian style as seen in the above picture.Mirror brings the Victorian vibe and merging it with black metallic accent wallpaper makes this classy and stylish.
In the below picture an ornate table is added to the entryway and the walls are kept minimal.Few pieces like the bust,decoration around the cabinet and the marbleized floor add the required Victorian touch and everything combined create that Wow factor.
Image Courtesy: Decoist
Add an antique portrait in the room,there is nothing more victorian than a portrait.One well placed portrait can do a lot to bring Victorian vibe
Image Courtesy: AndrewFlesher
Color the walls in a rich,bold color for the victorian vibe and add a modern piece to bring it to the modern world as in the below picture.I like how the lighting and the modern chair upholstered in velvet give an modern,edgy look to the space.
Image Courtesy: Pinterest
Are you into this trend of mixing modern and traditional style ? Do you love it or hate it ? But whatever be the case, there is no denial that historic styles always capture our heart and as said by Elizabeth Finkelstein, founder of the curated historic house marketplace and fan club, “I think it goes back to a basic human desire to feel connected to our roots.”, it is our strive to stay connected to our past.
