Get the look - Modern Victorian
If you have read my recent 2021 trends post (https://www.interiorology.com.au/blog/interior-decor-trends-2021), then you would know that one of the current emerging trends is what I like to call Modern Victorian.
This style is colourful but when carefully balanced with more modern elements, can look just beautiful.
So what is Modern Victorian and why now you ask?
Well,, with so many of us spending more time in our homes than ever before (thanks to Covid 19), our decor tastes are changing - moving away from the minimalistic trend that has been favoured in recent times, and towards a style that turns our homes into warm, safe havens. Modern Victorian is a perfect example of this changing taste.
Modern Victorian is the combination of the colourful, layered and luxurious style of the Victorian era, with large lashings of today’s more refined and paired-back styling. The result is luxe and inviting. It’s emphasis on curios and art reminds us of past (and future) travels, while the simpler more modern elements ensure that the rooms are not overwhelming or too crowded.
To replicate in your home, here are some tips.
Choose warm jewel tones
Deep jewel colours are central to this style, just as they were in the Victorian era. While modern colours tend to have a bright or saturated element, the trick here is to look for deeper, more ‘dusty’ colours. Imagine that the paints have been mixed with chalk and you will get the drift.
Although your colour options are broad, some popular examples include ruby, emerald and sapphire. Blacks and purples are also perfectly acceptable as are deep mustardy yellows. Just make sure that the look is matt, not gloss and you will be well on your way to creating the perfect room.
Credits: Nicola Margaret, Getty Images; Pinterest; Pinterest; The Interior Editor; Pinterest.
Statement Walls
Go Bold, but don’t necessarily go all the way!
While during the Victorian era, entire rooms were painted in bright colours, in today’s modern world, you have the option to emphasise one feature wall, while keeping others more neutral. This can be done by applying panelling or wallpaper to turn one wall into a knock-out feature, while painting other walls in a more neutral or muted tone.
Given the current resurgence of this style, there are some beautiful wallpapers now available. For example, it is hard to go past anything by William Morris. The original Victorian textile maker, his wallpapers and other textiles are still in production today, over a century since his death. If my local soft furnishing’s shop is anything to go by, William Morris sheets, wallpapers and cushion covers are back with a vengeance!
As with any discussion of this style’s colour scheme, you will note that even the wallpapers have a slightly dusty or muted element to them, softening them and making them easier to use rather than overwhelming the room.
Wallpapers of this style typically denote images of nature and botanical scenes, whilst panelling styles such as shaker style applied to a wall look amazing.
Credits: William Morris; The Little Greene Company UK; Panel Master UK.
Keep furniture details simple
With so much happening in the room already, it is important to keep your furniture selections simple.
By all means, choose your sofa or occasional chair in a Victorian-inspired colour. There are some beautiful options out there.
But… choose a material with block colours and soft simple finishes so as not to overwhelm the room. It’s all about creating harmony and balance.
For a bolder choice, select an upholstery colour that contrasts with your walls. For a safer choice, choose a lighter or darker version of the wall colour.
You can choose furnishings with details such as tufting if you want to keep with the Victorian style, or alternatively you can go for a more modern and sleek style. Mid-century modern or Scandi-style furniture can look great in this environment.
Velvet upholstery adds an additional pop of luxury and is perfect for the Modern Victorian style.
Credits: Domayne Trentham Fabric Bedframe; Temple and Webster Coco Premium 3 Seater Velvet; Temple and Webster Mimi Velvet Armchair
Curios, furnishings and accessories
The Victorian era embraced curios and collectables that were becoming increasingly easy to source given the increase in travel opportunities being experienced at the time. Birdcages, animal prints and botanical prints are all examples of the era’s favourite decor items and can work well in a more modern aesthetic as well.
Dust off those old porcelain plates and decanters that used to be owned by your grandmother and give them pride of place. Find old candlestick holders at your local antique shop. Place beautiful patterned and textured Persian rugs on the floor. You get the idea!
Install a mantle over your fireplace and add in cornices and skirting boards painted in a crisp white for a little pop.
There is no end to the amount of accessories you can add in a Modern Victorian room. Just make sure you apply those more modern design principles of scale and simplicity so that pieces fit in and don’t overwhelm.
Mirrors
Don’t be afraid to use mirrors - the bigger the better.
Human sized mirrors, sitting on the floor can add the most amazing luxe feel to a room and help disperse light, particularly if the room is painted in a darker hue. Use gold-rimmed frames and you can’t go wrong.
Choose mirrors with an element of the ornate so that they are in keeping with the Victorian style. This is not the place to go too modern.
Credits: Pinterest
Modern Victorian - Summary.
To get this style, make sure you:
Choose warm jewel tones for furnishings and walls.
Don’t be afraid of a statement wall.
Keep furniture details simple.
Hit the antique stores for some gorgeous curios.
Mirror mirror, on the wall (or floor)…