From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Victorian decorative arts refers to the style of decorative arts during the Victorian era. The Victorian era is known for it's eclectic revival of historic styles of the in furniture, fittings, and Interior decoration. In the late Victorian period the Arts and Crafts movement, the aesthetic movement, and Art Nouveau style have their beginnings.

Contents 1 Architecture 2 Interior decoration and design 3 Furniture 4 Wallpaper 5 Fashion 6 Gallery 7 Victorian Designers 8 See also 9 External links

Main article: Victorian architecture

Interior decoration and interior design of the Victorian era are noted for orderliness and ornamentation. A house of this period was ideally neatly divided in rooms, with public and private space carefully separated. The Parlor was the most important room in a home and showcase for the homeowners; where guests entertained. A bare room was considered in poor taste, so every surface was filled with objects that reflected who the owners interests and aspirations. The dining room was the second most important room in the house. The sideboard was most often the focal point of the dining room and very ornately decorated.

There was no one dominant style of furniture in the homes Victorian period. Designers used and modified many of styles taken from various time periods in history with Gothic, Tudor, Elizabethan, English Rococo, Neoclassical and others. The Gothic and Rococo revival style were the most common styles to be seen in furniture during this time in history.

Wallpaper was often made in elaborate floral patterns with primary colors in the backgrounds, such as red, blue and green and overprinted with colors of cream and tan. This was followed by Gothic inspired papers in earth tones with stylized leaf and floral patterns. William Morris was one of the most influential designer of wallpaper and fabrics during the latter half of the Victorian period. Morris was inspired and use of Medieval and Gothic tapestries in his work. Embossed paper were used on ceilings and friezes.

Main article: Victorian fashion

Parlor in a New York House from the 1850's.	"Artichoke" wallpaper, by John Henry Dearle for William Morris & Co., circa 1897 (Victoria and Albert Museum).]]	Oxford University Museum of Natural History nterior of the Museum — The Mammal Gallery	SS Peter and Paul, Newport, Shropshire, designed by Augustus Pugin
A Queen Anne style House

• Charles Eastlake
• Augustus Pugin

• Victoriana
• Eastlake Movement
• Neo-Victorian
• French polish

• Victorian Room Virtual Tour
• Victorian Design (victorianweb.org) including ceramics, furniture, glass, jewelry, metalwork, and textiles.
• Early Victorian Furniture History in England
• Late Victorian Era Furniture History in England