The Rejoice of the Victorian

The Victorian era in home building took place from 1855 to 1910. Queen Victoria reigned from 1837 to 1901. The word Victorian of course came from her reign.

We tend to think of the Victorian era as a prim and proper and repressive time. In actuality, there was a renaissance of style and ingenuity in Architecture and Interior Design. For the first time homes were built with two-inch boards held together with wire nails. Prior to this time heavy-timber frames were standard. This freed the house from being a square box.

The expansion of the railway system and the industrial revolution in the United States created the ability of the home builders all over the country to create beautiful masterpieces. Doors, windows, roofing, siding and decorative detailing were for the first time mass produced in factories for a reasonable price.

Houses on Creekledge Court are a good example of the Queen Anne Style which was represented during the period of 1880 - 1910. The English Architect Richard Norman Shaw coined the term Queen Anne Style. Why is not known as the style is more reminiscence of the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras. The Queen Anne house is a Victorian at its best.

DECORATING TODAY'S VICTORIAN.

During the Victorian era we were so excited about the mass production of furniture, fabrics and wall coverings that was readily accessible for a very reasonable price, that we at times applied a different print to each wall as well as to the floors and furniture. The Interior Design industry was virtually unknown. Home owners, having no design help thought if a little was good, more was better.

Those owning the original or new Victorian can take ideas in decorating from the exciting Victorian era, but must temper their creativity with today's knowledge. We must keep the decorating in keeping with the glorious style of yesterday.

A charming contribution to the parlour is a mahogany claw footed round table in the middle of the floor with a lace or silk fringed shawl draped on it and of course a flower arrangement. A round skirted ottoman in a contrasting print is also a fun addition.

For the windows, lace curtains swags, cascades and tassels only done in the best of taste. Please no aluminum mini blinds or duette shades, only two inch wood blinds or roller shades. Mini blinds and duettes are great in some homes but not in keeping with the Victorian motif. Balloon shades which are a contemporary treatment do related very well to the Victorian Style.

As one of the only Interior Designer's who enjoys keeping the integrity of the Victorian Era alive, I look forward to assisting in creating interior masterpieces in today's and yesterday's Victorians. I was the proud owner of a Clayton Victorian built in 1886 and added to in 1898. In an effort of keeping the Victorian integrity, much study and travel was done to learn about this artistic time in history.

Let's rejoice in this magnificent style. Let it live on for ever. Let's also use many of the beautiful new furnishing, carpeting and fabrics of today which will help us to create a lovely statement.