subject: Victorian Elegance; Modern Budget [print this page] Whether you are talking about decor or decorum, the Victorian era was all about class and elegance. While doing up your home in the Victorian style can make it look elegant and romantic, it can also be an expensive undertaking. There are, however, a few visual tips and tricks you can use to duplicate this upper-class and refined aesthetic in the humblest and most middle class of homes.
Decorating ala-Victorian style can be affordable. Without the need to use the same expensive decorative items, you can duplicate the same look with alternatives and with the application of basic Victorian decorating techniques. One of the major points in Victorian design is the use of ornament or intricate details in the objects. Brass material is a common sight in this style, but as genuine brass can be expensive, you can opt for replicas for a lot less. Brass looks great for doors, drawers, cabinets and chests.
At present, Victorian-style items can be pretty pricey to get. It's a good thing, then, that there are other options that achieve a similar effect. For example, homeowners of that era loved fancy brass hardware for doors, cabinets, bureaus and the like. Real brass is expensive but there are reproduced pieces that are available for a fraction of the price. Vintage furniture stores are also a great place to start hunting for items, as there are usually some pieces there with authentic hardware still installed.
If you think dark colors are too sober for your taste, you can always accent the walls with light hues, such as pastels. You can paint one side of the wall a dark color then cover the rest with a lighter shade. Prints in wallpapers is also a good alternative.
Vintage furnishings, antique-looking items and intricately designed objects are abundant in flea markets. This is a perfect place to shop when decorating with a Victorian theme. Much more, the prices are friendly to the pockets.
Victorian design is known to have dark colors. Painting your house with the cheery bright colors just won't do. If you've noticed, Victorian homes look more formal because of the color. There are no quirky yellows, greens and pinks. Instead, the shades are geared to the browns and neutral tones. The more subtle, the better.
An area rug is one of the most important pieces in the Victorian-themed space, especially if you are working on a receiving area like a drawing room. Oriental or floral-pattern rugs give the most authentic feel because they were actually all the rage during the era. It's also a good idea to choose the rug based on color; tying in the rug with the rest of the space really pulls the Victorian look together.
Just because the Victorian era was all about expensive elegance doesn't mean that duplicating it has to be just as expensive. With a bit of creativity and a lot of shopping smarts, you could easily make your home look about as sophisticated and luxurious as any English countryside estate.
by: Abbie Osborne-Wilson.
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