What is meant by a Victorian style house?

What is meant by Victorian style

L’Victorian age concerns the period of British history which saw Queen Victoria reign from 20 June 1837 until 22 January 1901.

This golden period for the United Kingdom, after the Congress of Vienna in 1815, allowed economic, industrial and technological development in the country and contributed to the birth of a new architectural style called victorian style.

The British bourgeoisie got rich quickly and this economic well-being translated into wish of having sumptuous houses inspired by architectural and furnishing styles from different cultures such as Italian, French or Indian.

Victorian style furniture is a mixture of elements belonging to the classical, gothic and rococo styles and is characterized by its opulence, attention to detail and taste for elaborate forms.

The Victorian era places the beginning of the stile britishcreating a stylistic eclecticism unique and original.

The high ceilings of the houses, sometimes with curved or domed shapes, were decorated with stuccoes and friezes to create a continuum with the decorations on the walls, in wood, fabric and wallpaper.

Walls in the Victorian era were painted symmetrically to the opposite wall and family portraits were displayed on them in sumptuous gilt frames.

The windows were made in the form of high arches with multicolored glass, while inside they had curtains of heavy fabric, with folds in silk, damask and velvet, or muslin and cotton for the bedrooms.

Characteristic elements of the Victorian style

The Victorian decor was characterized by the sinuous and worked shapes of the numerous pieces of furniture placed inside each single room.

The furnishings were made in precious woods such as mahogany or oak.
The large table in the dining room was paired with high-backed chairs of carved hardwood, with richly upholstered and decorated seats.

The quirky accessories could not be missing, like some extravaganzas from gusto exotic. Among the decorative objects of the time the shape of an iconic victorian pineapplebecame a symbol of social status at the time, as only a few rich people could afford it.

Il camino it represented an indispensable element present in several rooms of the house, helping to embellish every environment by becoming a decorative element.

Victorian style house

Made of marble and embellished with cast iron grates decorated with particular motifs, the fireplace was the fulcrum for the inhabitants of the house, who spent their free time in front of the fire, reading a book or drinking tea in company.

I colors in the Victorian decor they range from pastel green to pink to lilac to brown and burgundy, matching the massive and sumptuous furniture.
I dark tones they are widespread both on the walls and in the upholstery, the great protagonists are the fabrics with botanical designs.

The gold finish it is widespread and particularly distinguishes this decorative style which fills the rooms together with the tones of bronze, brown and dark red.

The fabric finishes they are very important and full of trimmings, tassels and fringes, responding to the Victorian philosophy: “the more the better”.

Victorian style in a modern key

Victorian style house, revisited in a modern key, is furnished with antiques or handcrafted products as the prevailing elements in each room. In recent years, this style has gradually been reintroduced into interior decoration.

It is becoming a real trend among those who love the old British style, including classic, neo-gothic, baroque and Elizabethan details.

To create a Victorian-style decor you need to choose the right furnishings and an opulent decoration, full of ornamental details.

A large amount of furniture was produced during the Victorian period and therefore it is easy to find more in antique shops and specialist markets.

The company IntAndo presents several 19th century style furnishingsfor example the Victorian double body display caseveneered in mahogany feather, with front with two blown glass doors and turned frame, concealing four shelves covered in velvet.
Victorian double body display cabinet – IntOndo

In the base there are also glass in the sides, the locks are in brass, with a brand on the back. Dated England second quarter 19th century.

Il Chippendale taste table in oak, northern Europe mid-19th century, it has a tray top in walnut veneer and burr walnut, inlaid with ribbons and a central compass rose in oak and maple.
Chippendale 19th century coffee table – IntOndo

The band under the top and the legs are carved with leaf motifs and embellished with engraved reserves. The legs have a wavy shape and end in a goat’s hoof.

The current Victorian style bedroom

The Victorian style bedroom features the classic canopy bedwith solid wood structure inlaid with finely carved ornamental motifs of garlands of leaves or fruits.

Victorian style bedroom

Lighter tone woods and soft colored walls are recommended for modern furnishings, for a brighter and more natural setting.

Fabrics are great protagonists and fill the room, giving a sober air to curtains, carpets and cushions.

The Victorian style is ideal for romantic, but also confident and determined personalities.

Furnishing the living room in a contemporary Victorian style

Many styles, including contemporary, contemporary classic, and vintage style, masterfully integrate Victorian features.

The company Diotti.comoffers some furnishings: tables, chairs and sofas, which are inspired by the eclectic Victorian style.

For example the tufted sofa George by Cantori presents a timeless design, with high comfort, ideal placed in the center of the room, in combination with the armchair and coffee table from the same collection.

George tufted sofa by Cantori – Diotti

Revisited in a modern key, the 3-seater Chester sofa is distinguished by the high feet worked and decorated by hand in gold, silver, rame e champagne and by the curly armrests with a welcoming and elegant line.

Il George coffee table in marble, with hand-finished saber-shaped aluminum legs, it has a rectangular top also available in bronze smoked mirror, always with the characteristic shaped edge, ideal for furnishing a Victorian living room.

How to integrate Victorian style into a modern bathroom

The Victorian-style bathroom furniture involves the insertion of a freestanding bathtub in the center of the room, with classic curvilinear shapes, with raised chromed feet, to give a touch of class and refinement to the bathroom.

The basin can be in enamelled steel o in acrylicwith a sinuous shape, with important edges and sumptuous lion’s paw feet, made of aluminum or brass.

The company Hyperceramics offers for example the freestanding bathtub Deco Two measuring 170×75 cm, in glossy white acrylic and height-adjustable feet, in the shape of a lion’s paw, chromed.

Deco Two freestanding bathtub, Victorian style – Iperceramica

Naturally, English-style sanitary ware must also contribute to creating a British and retro style, for example with a shell shape and the support foot elaborated with curved lines.

A touch of class can be given by a mahogany seatin walnut or simply black, so as to stand out with the white of the porcelain.