How to Select Accessories for Your Victorian Style Home

Manufacturing geared up worldwide during the Victorian era (1837 to 1901), so there is an abundance of mass-produced wares that can be used to embellish your home's decor. Here are some prominent examples.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Victorian-style Collectibles
• Area Rugs
• Candleholders
• Candles
• China Figurines
• Clocks
• Display Shelves And Stands
• Embellished Throw Pillows
• Framed Mirrors
• Lace Doilies
• Lamps
• Pictures
• China Plates And Platters
• Candles
• Pictures

1. Use old-style dishes - for example, transferware such as Blue Willow and the appealingly blurry Flow Blue designs - on walls and, along with vases, on tabletops. Anchor the tablescapes with crocheted doilies, which can also be used on upholstered furniture's arms and backs.

2. Select traditional-style lamps, especially ginger jars and candlesticks, for the many occasional tables typical of bedrooms, Victorian parlors and other living spaces.

3. Enhance comfort with elegantly decorated pillows set on sofas, chairs and beds. Trims include embroidery, lace, braid, fringe, cording and tassels; fabrics include brocades, velvets and needlepoints.

4. Set out slim candles in holders made of silver, brass, crystal, glass, china and wood. Use wall-mounted candleholders, or sconces, as desired.

5. Hang ornately framed mirrors and pictures (ancestral portraits, vintage photos, botanical subjects or etchings) liberally.

6. Incorporate shelves into the decor to hold the many collectibles Victorian style dictates for embellishing your home. Shelves include carved or bamboo wall-hung versions, corner pieces loaded with cutouts, and tiered display tables ("whatnot" shelves).

7. Showcase a variety of collectibles and collections, which may include clocks, hand-blown paperweights, thimbles, antique dolls, figurines and vases containing cut flowers.

8. Dress up the room with elaborate window treatments (velvet, brocade, eyelet, ornate laces) and patterned rugs (Orientals, florals, leaf patterns and other machine-made, swirly designs).

Tips & Warnings

• Although the style can be pared down, most Victorian interiors tend toward excess in accessories.

on 11/22/2005 Hang stained glass panels inside window frame. Use a lace window topper of lace panel swagged with a tassel or ribbon to show off the beauty of the colored glass.