archint: victorian period (interior design + furniture design)

American – VictorianBritish - Victorian

APOSTOL | CAMAIN | LANGSANGAN || DSAR1A

VICTORIAN STYLE

• This style draws inspiration from nature, geometry, theory, and many other resources. It also encompasses a wide range of sub-styles including Eastlake, Aesthetic or Anglo-Japanese, Gothic Revival, Renaissance Revival, Greek Revival (Neo-classical), Egyptian Revival and "exotica" like Turkish and Persian design.

AMERICAN • The impact of the Victorian culture was evident after the

Civil War. Some of the popular cities having Victorian influence in America were Boston, Chicago, Buffalo, Albany and certain areas of Brooklyn.

• they adopted their culture largely from European culture and in particular, the French culture.

ARCHITECTURE (1837- 1914)•  homes were built drawing

influence from various architectural designs like Gothic Style, Romanesque architecture, the Queen Anne architecture, Second Empire and such other styles mainly popular between 1860 and 1900

• The American housing pattern was directly influenced by the Victorian architecture.

FURNITURES• Throughout history Queen

Victoria identified herself with the middle class. Therefore the furniture of this period was made for an ever-increasing middle class population.

CHESTERFIELD• a leather couch•  The Chesterfield sofa is certainly a refined and

mannerly example of seating.• The chesterfield is synonymous with elegance and class

in interiors all over the world, of every architectural and decorating style.

WINDSOR CHAIR• A Windsor chair is a chair built with a solid wooden seat

into which the chair-back and legs are round-tenoned, or pushed into drilled holes, in contrast to standard chairs, where the back legs and the uprights of the back are continuous.

SMOKER’S BOW• The smoker's bow is a simpler, stockier

version of the Windsor chair which first appeared in the 1820s. It lacked the high back seen on most Windsor chairs and had a sturdier, heavier appearance.

THONET BENTWOOD CHAIR• Thonet bentwood chairs were absolutely everywhere

during Victorian Times. In the beginning, the chairs were sold primarily to hotels and restaurants, but being so  lightweight and easy to ship—in parts in a crate, and assembled with only screws—Thonet’s pieces were soon fixtures in homes.

ABBOTSFORD CHAIR•  inspired from Charles II era (Restoration)

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS• Cumbersome furniture, dust catching

carving.• Buttoned upholstery – armchairs frequently

with low arms scrolled at the front.• Balloon back chairs and spoon back.• Ladies easy chairs without arms because

the vastness of the skirts.

INTERIORS• Victorian interior design draws

its roots from the Industrial Revolution which had a dramatic impact on design during the era, increasing the prosperity of the middle class and allowing them to improve and upgrade the decor of their homes.

• Colors: Victorian interior design colors are warm and subdued, and include soft colors on gray or cream backgrounds, deep rich walnut and mahogany browns, black, and shades of teal, plum, aubergine, mustardy yellows and golds, burgundy, rust, blue, green (think sage and olive, not mint and kelly) and “dusty” hues like “ashes of roses” and a subdued shade of lavender.

COLOR SCHEME

• Fabrics: Choose from a wide variety of period reproduction and vintage fabrics and trims from printed floral chintzes and toiles to silk damasks and velvets.

• Patterns: Complex patterns often cover every surface of a Victorian home. From multiple wallpapers to luxurious fabrics and oriental rugs, Victorian interior design uses patterns lavishly throughout the home. Patterns range from flora and fauna to geometric patterns, stripes, damasks, and more.

• Furniture: Furniture is typically opulent. Excess can often be considered synonymous with Victorian interior design. Furniture and accessories should be elaborate and range from delicate to massive. Extravagantly ornate decorations, china, lace, stained glass, flowers, busts, souvenirs, framed paintings or prints, multi-layered window treatments, richly patterned fabrics, and accessories galore should be used liberally throughout the house. Restraint is not part of Victorian interior design.

BRITISH• During the

Victorian era, Britain could claim to be the world's superpower, despite social inequality at home and burgeoning industrial rivals overseas.

ARCHITECTUREThough new technology drove innovation in Victorian architecture, nostalgia was its keynote. Past eras were plundered for inspiration.

INTERIORSDuring the Industrial Revolution, the middle classes were able to increase their prosperity and for the first time invest in the decor and design of their homes.

They immediately began to emulate the aristocracy and filled their homes to bursting point with accessories, furnishings and fabrics, all designed to showcase their new wealth and status.

WALLPAPER AND PAINTMass-production of wallpaper in the 1840s led to a surge in the interest of part-wallpapered walls. Applied from the skirting board to the dado rail half-way up a wall or to a picture rail near the ceiling.

FLOORINGParquet flooring or patterned tiles can be used to showcase Victorian fashion. A large, interesting rug or patterned carpet in the middle of the floor leaving a polished floorboard border is ideal.

COLORThe Victorians favored soft, subdued tones, nothing bright or vivid. Delicate rose pinks, grays, lavender or sage are the perfect colors or for something warmer, try a mustard yellow, burgundy or teal.

COLOR SCHEME

FABRIC AND PATTERNS

The Victorians favored two styles of fabric in the home. The first is a heavy silk damask or velvet which would be perfect for curtains, while the second is a heavily patterned floral print on either toile or chintz – ideal for cushions or seat covers.

FABRIC AND PATTERNS

The Victorians were great fans of pattern and used it liberally everywhere from curtains to cushions and from rugs to wallpapers. Often, multiple patterns were in evidence in the same room.

LIGHTINGChoose multiple highly decorative lamps to give soft, ambient lighting to your rooms. The period “Tiffany” lamp is the perfect addition to a Victorian themed home and gives an added touch of color.

CABINETVictorian Gothic revival tall cabinet, England

CABINETThe mahogany, pine and oak cabinet, with copper mounts was designed by Philip Webb and painted by William Morris (1834-1896). The painted scenes are from the legend of St George and the Dragon and include Morris and his wife amongst the characters depicted.The highly decorated St. George's Cabinet demonstrates Morris' love of romance.

JAPANESE STYLE CABINETIn 1853 Japan reopened its borders and provided a fresh source of artistic inspiration to the west. British critics praised the simplicity, purity of form and strong feeling for nature they perceived in Japanese art. In a reaction against ornate historical styles, a group of British designers tried to capture the spirit of the east.

CHAIRSThe inspiration for these designs came from a number of different sources. The sophisticated but simple classical forms used in 18th and 19th century England were a particular favourite. Even Morris & Co.'s styles were influenced by the Guilds that they had helped to inspire.

SOURCES• http://www.victorian-era.org/victorian-era-american-architecture.ht

ml• http://www.interiordezine.com/styles-and-periods/victorian-furniture

/• http://www.londongallery.net/en/content/8-history-of-chesterfield• http://www.antiques-art-collectibles.com/collectible/furniture/smoke

rs_bow_chair.html• http://antiques.lovetoknow.com/Antique_Windsor_Chairs• http://www.dwellcandy.com/interior-design-styles-2/victorian/