Victorian Decorating Style (1837-1901)
The Victorian style refers to design features popular from late period of Queen Victoria’s reign (1837) to her death in 1901. The most noteworthy features of Victorian style are the rich colour palettes, the opulently and elaborately decorated furniture, complicated wallpaper and fabric patterns and excessive, fussy displays of collectibles and decorative objects.
The early Victorian period typically had a sophisticated colour scheme of soft colours on grey or cream backgrounds but with time the colour palette darkened. The most popular colours were deep rich walnut and mahogany browns, black, and shades of teal, plum, aubergine, mustardy yellows and golds, burgundy, rust, blue, olive greens, dusty rose and lavender.
Victorian rooms often featured ornate ceiling moulding made from plaster or paper-mâché whilst windows were adorned by opulent, multi-layered, tassel edged curtains. In halls and kitchens, floors were covered with tiles, with centre-piece rugs adding warmth to family rooms. Lights were highly ornate; sparkling chandeliers and crystal pendant lights were popular. Rooms were filled by large, elaborately carved furniture made from mahogany, oak or walnut, often with ivory inlays, and plump, soft furnishings with generous padding and buttoned upholstery.
Interiors
Interiors were heated by fireplaces with marble, slate or hardwood surrounds, with mantelpieces which were perfect for displaying knick-knacks and family photographs. Patterns (floral, animal or geometric) covered every surface in a Victorian House – paper wallpapers, luxurious fabric or oriental rugs.
The Industrial revolution and introduction of mass production created new possibilities. Goods that were previously only available to the upper-classes became accessible to the general public. It was also much easier to imitate and revive old styles. Often one piece of furniture could be influenced by a variety of different styles. Victorian interiors could be immensely eclectic, opulent or gaudy depending on the inhabitant's tastes and decorating skills. A warm, welcoming ambience was a main advantage of Victorian style, however it could be overwhelming because of the excess of furniture, clashing patterns and decorative objects and pictures occupying every available surface.
A house stuffed with furniture and excessive decoration was the typical way to show status. The upper class flaunted their wealth, whilst the other classes tried to imitate it. If original, expensive materials like exotic wood or marble were out of reach, they would be substituted by painted imitation.
Unfortunately, the wide implementation of labour and time saving mass production was followed by decrease in quality. Extravagant ornamentation and thick layer of varnish concealed poor construction and lack of artistic merits.
Victorian style never went out of fashion and nowadays interior designers still incorporate some of its more tasteful elements into modern interiors. Many of Britain’s towns and cities are still defined by the beautiful buildings constructed during the Victorian housing boom.