VICTORIAN HOME: The Grandeur and Comfort of the Victorian Era, in Households Past and Present

Amazon.com
To recreate the Victorian style of decorating may conjure up nightmarish visions of over-the-top, frilly curtains and heavy, depressing colors. Luckily, Ellen M. Plante reveals how to tastefully transform any room into an elegant and comfortable living space–frills are not compulsory! The Victorian Home is not only a beautifully written design guide to reviving rooms from this era, it’s also a fascinating history lesson on the culture of the mid- to late-19th-century gentrified society in Britain. For this privileged class, the home was the “center of the universe, a safe haven from a rapidly industrializing society.” Therefore, every chair, ornament, and light fixture was carefully chosen and exquisitely arranged to create a look of maximum opulence. Today, the reasons to “go Victorian” are much simpler. This look can be a lovely addition to any home–a look that is both timeless and elegant. The rooms photographed in The Victorian Home reflect the wonderful versatility of this era. Some rooms merely capture the essence of the period in the style of the fireplace or the choice of wallpaper. Other rooms duplicate the era in every minute detail, right down to the arrangement of dishes and cutlery on a dinner table. Throughout this elegant book are useful sidebars providing tips and techniques for Victorian decorating, and a comprehensive index of expressions and terms. Viva Victoria! –Naomi Gesinger –This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal
This beautifully illustrated book shows how to achieve a Victorian look, whether decorating in an overall high style or just adding period touches to a modern decor. Plante (Kitchen Collectables: An Illustrated Price Guide, Chilton, 1991) begins with an overview of the various decorating styles that make up the era, then room by room gives a history, describes appropriate furnishings, and includes quotes from period style sources such as Godey’s Lady’s Book. The style chronology, helpful for those unfamiliar with Victoriana, and the resource guide of primarily U.S. suppliers make this an excellent purchase as Victorian style continues in popularity.

Gayle A. Williamson, Fashion Inst. of Design & Merchandising, Los Angeles Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. –This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.