Victorian style in the interior

When you mentally transfer yourself to good old England, the first thing that comes to mind is the luxury of beautiful old palaces and family castles.

From the history…

The refined Victorian style, which was formed in the second half of the XIX century during the reign of the English Queen Victoria, always emphasizes the owners' fine aesthetic taste, as well as their respectability and stability in all spheres of life.

It was during the reign of Queen Victoria that the bourgeoisie began to actively grow rich, thanks to the existing colonies and the rapid development of industry, and, as a result, she had a wonderful opportunity to surround herself with expensive luxury items. The British began to travel a lot. On numerous trips, they came into contact with various exotic cultures of the East, with pleasure they acquired their favorite ethnic objects of art and everyday life, with which they decorated their houses in their native land with love.

As a result, in addition to the classical canons, eclecticism, which is characteristic of the Victorian style, partially combined the elements of exotic (Chinese and Indian style), Gothic and Rococo.

Characteristic features of the style

For the interior in the Victorian style, deconstruction is considered characteristic: each room is decorated in a certain style. For example, the Gothic style is maintained during the design of the library, and the boudoir (ladies' room) is decorated in the rococo style.

Decorating, furnishing and finishing of rooms with precious woods and expensive textiles emphasize the status and level of wealth of the owner of a noble house. In the Victorian interior, almost all materials and antique accessories used in the design of rooms cannot be replaced with more economical options. Everything must look expensive and reliable.

Not every person is willing to bear such high costs for expensive decoration of his house, but artists, politicians, businessmen and other accomplished people who appreciate old times and traditions, prefer to enjoy the magnificence of the Victorian style with pleasure:

• an exquisite combination of impeccable quality with old traditions;
• vertical, elongated forms of the elements of the house;
• Gothic and arched windows;
• use in the interior of straight and arched lines;
• massive rectangular doors with a spectacular brass finish;
• heavyweight oak, walnut or mahogany furniture;
• florid stucco on the ceiling;
• intricate patterns on the eaves;
• expensive paintings (landscapes and subject sketches, portraits);
• antique wall clocks;
• meticulous decoration of numerous details.

The fireplace made of granite, enclosed by a metal fence, is a central, integral part of the living room, which is always the pride of the British.

For an Englishman, the book is sacred. Therefore, the presence in the house of the library, a large number of shelves and shelves, abundantly cluttered with books, is also mandatory.

Also characteristic of the Victorian interior is the abundance of indoor plants, which are usually grouped on the floor in one corner of the room. Pots pick up, as a rule, clay, monophonic, in harmony with the color scheme of the decoration of the room.

An abundance of vases, screens, caskets, ottomans, ashtrays made of precious metals and stones, cabinet sets (pencil and pen stands), full-length mirrors, framed by beautiful frames, like paintings - you will probably see all this in a genuine Victorian interior.

The important role is played by canopies, curtains and bedspreads. The rooms are decorated with the best curtain fabrics, skilfully draped and decorated with fringe or pompon braid. Heavy curtains should be combined with light lace tulle curtains.

Color spectrum

Victorian style always assumes harmony, poise and symmetry. In such a house, everything is permeated with a sense of proportion, despite simultaneous saturation.

As a rule, furniture is selected either in light brown or in dark red-brown shades. And, accordingly, the rest of the decor elements will be chosen from pale pink, lilac (lavender), delicate almond tones in the case of light furnishings and to red-brown colors for mahogany or oak furniture.

Gilding, incrustation with precious stones and metals, and drape in red and ruby ​​or emerald green shades add a special refinement to the expensive interior.

Wall decoration

Wall decoration with fabric or wallpaper with stripes, or with a delicate pattern of blooming roses, realistic painted animals and birds - all this is an integral part of the Victorian interior. Often the walls are decorated with wallpaper with a complex, unusual ornamental three-dimensional pattern, resembling a bas-relief.

Nowadays, Britain’s wallpaper, imitating fabric, depicting maple, oak, birch leaves, fern, or wild flowers and berries, is very popular.

On top of the wallpaper are panels made of precious wood, half the size or one third of the height of the walls of the room. Such panels do not have a thread, but are decorated with elegant ornaments. In no case can the panels be varnished, as glossy shine is alien to the Victorian interior.

Paintings with paintings, as a rule, are hung on special slats made of the same wood species as the panels.

Interestingly, the unusual combination of a Scottish cage with a floral ornament fits perfectly into refined English style.

Floor decoration

Parquet, made of natural wood, is also characteristic of the flooring in an English prosperous house. But a tile with an original pattern or ornament can also serve as a floor covering. 

The interior of the Victorian era can be described as luxurious, cozy and at the same time discreet, strict. But, undoubtedly, one thing - this style of the interior is an expensive pleasure, which can only be accomplished and respectable people.

A photo

Video

A few more examples of the interior design in the Provencal style you can see by watching the video: