All About Prim Style That Screams “More is More”

Victorian interior design has proven to have quite a long lifespan. Originating in the 19th century, the style that epitomizes opulence still has plenty of devotees, perhaps because it feels a bit more approachable than the glitz of Art Deco. To break down all the ins and outs of Victorian interior design, from its origins to modern Victorian iterations, we called on two experts. Susie Atkinson, interior designer and founder of Studio Atkinson, has worked with Victorian homes and with Victorian styles many times throughout her career. Hannah Cecil Gurney is Director of Marketing and Global Development at de Gournay, the British brand known for its handmade wallcoverings. Read on for a complete Victorian at-home crash course!

What is Victorian Interior Design?

Victorian interior design is a style that originated in the UK during the Victorian era. Known for its abundance of pattern (in wallcoverings and in textiles), ornamentation and the use of jewel tones, the interior design style absorbs the visitor into its rich world. The Victorian era produced both a distinct interior design style and a distinct architectural style.

“My favorite elements [of Victorian spaces] are the proportions of the rooms, the height of the ceilings, the scale of the windows and the architectural details, be it ceilings, architraves or cornices,” says Atkinson. “Inside, tiled floors – either black and white, terracotta or patterned – characterize the entrance, the rooms of lofty proportions have large fireplaces. This was a time when floral or patterned wallpapers, heavier curtains, rugs and carpets were introduced. The colors were often rich and dark: reds, greens, blues and browns. »

“My husband and I bought a Victorian property that had been extensively renovated by its previous owner,” says Gurney, who grew up surrounded by de Gournay’s imaginative wallpapers. ADVERTISEMENT. “For us, the joy was to restore all the period details that had been removed! Victorian is often unfairly labeled as fussy and ostentatious, that is, Victorian, but I find that many architectural details have their origins in the crisp elegance of the Georgian era.

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History and Origins of Victorian Interior Design

Economic prosperity in England during the Victorian period – when Queen Victoria was in power, that is – is the central factor behind the Victorian interior design style. The advent of mass production during the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century brought an influx of middle-class money and many more affordable decorative products that previously would have taken much longer (and much more money) to produce. These mass-produced decorations were far from subtle and left us today with a style that some find overwhelming, but others find a compelling counterpoint to the minimalist interior design of the early years.

Besides the interior aspects, Victorian architecture itself is extremely desirable to some, causing people to search specifically for Victorian homes or attempt to recreate these elements in new builds. Even though decorative items were mass-produced and not quite made to last, Victorian homes today still house families across England, America and beyond. Gurney’s favorite feature in his own Victorian home is “the lovely bay window downstairs which allows so much light to flood into the living space”. Other key details of Victorian homes include crown molding, ornate gables, and wraparound porches.

“It’s not just the beautiful architecture of Victorian homes that gives character and interest, it’s also that sense of nostalgia knowing that generations of people lived there before you – there’s something very grounded in that,” Atkinson says. “Victorian homes were so well built. The proportions are generous, and there’s a sense of understated grandeur about them that commands respect. They have stood the test of time and are still working places for modern living.

Define elements and characteristics

Victorian Bedroom Ideas

Gurney’s home is a Victorian delight, only fitting for the daughter of de Gournay’s founder, Claud Cecil Gurney, and now director of marketing and global business development. Her home is a whimsical space for anyone obsessed with wallpaper, yes, but the furnishings and impeccable restoration of the Victorian home also make an undeniable impact.

Here, a windowed living room is fitted with a built-in fringe sofa and a marble fireplace. The unwavering commitment to the green color palette shows how cohesive a Victorian space can feel even as it mixes periods and patterns.

A separate living room features ornate ceramic lamps and a bohemian rug.

Fringed pillows, colorful draperies and dramatic wallpaper are among the many Victorian decor details in this bedroom.

Victorian spaces are all about the harmony of small but grand details, and this dining room is no exception.

How to Achieve Victorian Interior Design Aesthetics

Start with the main pieces

Many people find Victorian interiors to be a comfortable and stimulating backdrop for modern living. To create a Victorian-style space, consider the central elements (whether it’s actual Victorian furniture or small details) to anchor the space and go from there.

Mix eras and styles

You don’t have to completely renovate your space either – contemporary furniture is more than welcome. First and foremost, Victorian interiors aimed to mix and match different styles and elements, so it’s only fitting that today’s Victorian devotees work in styles and patterns that may not have existed at the time to be true to the present day. Victorian spirit. In its heyday, that meant bringing in elements of Gothic Revival or International design, but in our time you can interpret that with mid-century modern accents, bohemian-leaning pieces, or just about anything. other !

As Atkinson further explains, “The juxtaposition of Victorian decor with contemporary furniture can be fabulous: quirky artwork, sculptural furniture and interesting lighting – what not? love about it!”

Consider the texture

Rich fabrics, voluminous curtains, lush upholstery, detailed woodwork and inspiring rugs are all essential elements of Victorian design. When putting your room or home together, remember that adding a variety of textures creates as much depth as adding different colors and patterns.

think about color

When coming up with new design ideas, think about what colors you want to center in each space. As mentioned earlier, sticking to a specific statement color (or a few colors) can help make a space cohesive even if you’re adding tons of patterns and textures.

Don’t forget your lights

While you don’t necessarily need to commit to full Victorian antiques for your fixtures, be sure to pay close attention to the pieces you choose for your space. Even if you go for something contemporary or modern, try to get something imposing. Lighting has a huge impact on any room, and Victorian-inspired spaces are no exception.

If you live in a real Victorian house, respect its original features

“I think what’s unique and exciting about designing the interior of a Victorian home is that the richness of architectural features is the basis for a fantastic starting point, whether it’s fireplaces, cornices, tiled floors, magnificent staircases or large-scale rooms. They work just as well now with modern life as they did in Victorian times,” says Atkinson.

Originally appeared on Architectural Digest

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