Victorian Design - Interiors and Furniture

The long reign of Queen Victoria from 1837-1901 created an eclectic style that bears her name. Victorian style spans over 60 years and is highlighted by a revival of historical styles and the introduction of international cultural styles made possible by the global reach of the British Empire. The industrial revolution during the Victorian era created the first mass produced materials which made furniture, fabrics, metalwork, glass and wallpapers more available and affordable. The rising middle class created a large market for decorative arts and furniture.

The Victorians loved decoration and ornamentation. Victorian architecture is known for its decorative ironwork and brickwork, carved wood and painted flourishes. Gothic Revival, Italianate and Queen Anne style homes are the most prolific of Victorian era home styles.

The vastness of the British Empire provided the Victorians with exotic woods, textiles and dyes, as well as exotic design elements. Mahogany, rosewood and ebony were preferred. Textiles include deeply colored velvets, damasks and Indian paisleys. Walls and ceilings were decorated with wallpaper, fabrics, plaster carving, and faux-painting; marbling and wood-graining were popular techniques. Wallpapers were mass produced in florals, damask and “oriental” patterns.

This sofa 1850-1860 by John H. Belter demonstrates the Rococo Revival period of High Victorian style. An excess of ornamentation in the carving and rich, damask fabric are typical of this type of Victorian style. Belter was one of the leading furniture designers and makers in American in the mid Nineteenth century. His designs were widely copied and influenced later designers.

Victorian style includes many different revivals of earlier designs. The biggest design movements include: Jacobethan (1830-70); Gothic Revival (1830–1880); Renaissance Revival (1840-90); Empire (1855-80); Queen Anne (1870-1910); Rococo Revival (1840-1876). Other popular design movements of the second half of the Nineteenth century include Italianate, Neoclassical, Neo-Greco and Romanesque, which had shorter eras of popularity. These styles were the result of the popular Grand Tour that many Europeans embarked on to visit Roman and Greek ruins.

This period Victorian parlor in New York City shows the love of ostentatious ornament. Eastlake (1860-90); Empire, Queen Anne and Gothic Revival were popular design movements in the US. Top American Victorian designers and furniture companies include: John H. Belter (1804-1863), Alexander Roux (1813-1886), Gustave Herter (1830-1898), George Hunzinger (1835-1898), Frank Furness (1839-1912), Kimbel & Cabus, Pottier & Stymus.

In the latter years of the Nineteenth century, the ornamentation of Victorian design gave way to the Art Nouveau and Arts & Crafts styles, which in turn lead to Art Deco and Modernism. However, Victorian style has continued to come in and out of fashion throughout the years.

This home reflects a contemporary take on Victorian style. There is a movement today of Neo-Victorian, a revival of the quintessential revivalist style. Neo-Victorian style incorporates the love of ornamentation, rich textiles, and pattern with furniture styles that are more livable in today’s lifestyle. Victorian style can also be seen in the Steampunk style, which incorporates Victorian aesthetics with a style born from Jules Verne and Victorian era scientific discoveries and exploration.

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Links : Victorian Interior Design. 2014. Victorian Interior Design. 
           [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.interiordesignipedia.com/victorian-interior-design.html. 
           [Accessed 24 January 2014].

            Victorian design - Victoria and Albert Museum. 
            [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.vam.ac.uk/page/v/victorian-design/. 
            [Accessed 24 January 2014].