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[E256]English Country Decorating Style

by Gradlein, Gra

Victorian Decorating Style
A lot of homeowners go for Victorian homes these days. The decorating style dates back to the 1800s and was named after Queen Victoria of England who had the longest reign in the history of the country. During the Victorian period, people had a certain air of dignity and restraint which shows in everything including craftsmanship as seen in the vogue design of household items. The term "Victorian" not only applies to furniture but also art, architecture, and even social aspects such as morals and practices.
Even with all the changes during the introduction of the modern era, the uniqueness of the Victorian period has been preserved well enough that it is easy to distinguish if something is Victorian or not. The reason may entirely be due to the changes in how furniture are manufactured switching from man to machine in its creation. The early parts of the Victorian period saw drastic changes from hand labor to machine production since it was during that time that the Industrial Age was beginning.
Industrial manufacturing during the Victorian period changed the overall quality of the furniture. During the Victorian era, people have associated furniture with social status - the more furniture a household has, the better they appear in the social ladder. With the increased demand for furniture and the speed of manufacturing that is trying to keep up, it is impossible that there won't be any negative effect on the quality of the items. The competition between designers while trying to keep up with the pace of manufacturing also contributed to poor quality design. With modern technology, machines have improved and have become efficient, making speed and quality of work at its finest. Also, not everything is done by machine. Hand labor and machine work is now implemented to create good quality furniture.
Designing a Victorian-styled room can be quite difficult for some especially those who do not understand what makes the period so attractive. The first thing one must do is to read information about the Victorian era and know what makes it special. Here are some tips that could help you get started.
Dado and Walls - Victorian homes are usually designed to have a dado to separate the walls horizontally into two sections: the lower part and the upper part. The upper portion of the wall should have simple patterned wallpaper like long vine-like lines or brambles while the lower part should be plain with darker colors like brown or dark red. If the room is spacious, you can add paneling to the corners otherwise, I suggest you avoid it as it will make the room look a bit smaller than it actually is. Use thick and heavy fabric for window curtains with golden color if possible.
Furniture - Victorian furniture are made mostly of wood and rarely with metal. For wood, mahogany or black walnut is a good choice. They are usually dark-colored with a slight reddish tint. The designs on furniture are very detailed and have a slightly curved appearance especially in dining table or chair legs. The Industrial age began during the early parts of the Victorian period so manufacturers were eager to experiment on different designs they can make with the machines at their disposal. Fill your rooms with furniture like how people did back then for their homes. Choose Home Elegance furniture that would add contrast to the rooms overall look so it wouldn't look bland and boring.
Décor and Lighting - Chandeliers are a good choice for décor and lighting. Add a big one in your dining room to give it a nice classical look. Add candles on the Home Elegance dining table and covered lights on walls to give a nice ambiance and have a royal atmosphere. Home Elegance dining chairs should match the designs on the table. Add antiques to your sideboard and place it against some shelves and a mirror for completion.

The fundamental question that everyone should ask before sending any money on home renovations is, ?What is my style.? Answering this question is both easy, and difficult, leaving many home decorators struggling to create the image carried in their mind.

Understanding your style requires some research. The first thing you need to ask is why you are redecorating. Those who redecorate because they are bored may find that the current style and colors does not reflect their personality and lifestyle. Those who redecorate because they have moved up the social scale need to look into traditional home decorating styles.

It is important to understand your style before starting to decorate. Having a blueprint will help you define everything from paint colors to finishing pieces.

The decorating task is easier to accomplishing a clear goal is defined and you can create a picture of the end result. To create a picture, you need to determine whether you want to copy and existing style, or create something original.

To recreate a copy of a traditional style, a decorator only needs to find some good magazines and books. Cut out pictures and create a collage of items that will be in the room. This can be taken to home decorating shows, and used when surfing the net.

The most important thing to know when recreating a traditional style is to find the focal point of the room, whether it is a piece of furniture, art, or comforter. This is the most important piece of the room. Everything else will be build on that one item.

Original decorating ideas are harder to create. It is important to build the room from a focal point out. However, the focal point can be something as simple as a throw rug, or as complex as a wall quilt.

The next step is to pick a theme. The theme will translate into wall art, decorative pieces, rugs, plants, or the lack of these items. The theme is a unique aspect that only you can bring to the room.

A homeowner may love the traditional European style of room. The room design itself is fairly basic, built on oversized furniture, luxurious fabrics, and rich colors. However, the theme will determine whether the room is deep burgundies, gold, blues, or ten tawny colors. The theme may also determine the feel of the room.

An Egyptian theme will use gold colors and cleaner lines with animal figures, while a Bulgarian theme will use ornately decorated furniture and huge portraits of people.

The next thing to take into consideration is the amount of time you spend caring for your home. Egyptian cotton sateen sheets are lovely, but require more care than a cotton polyester blend. A luxurious room looses its luster very quickly if the fabrics and paints are not cared for properly.

One mistake that many homeowners make is believing they will change their lifestyle to suite their home, this never happens, leaving them disappointed with the overall results of their room in as little as six months.

The last thing is cost. If cost is a factor, the only viable option is to shop for home decor items, linens, and furniture online. The products are the same as are found in any high end home decorating store, but they are often one-third to one-half the price, making it possible to purchase the right pieces for your home.

This is not a five minute job. It is common for a person's style to alter and change as they work through these steps. Research will open up new ideas and broaden your horizons. This will have a dramatic effect on your final room.

There is only one mistake that almost guarantees unsatisfactory results. Do not walk into furniture stores and home decorating stores and try to create the perfect room from there. These stores are too limited, and are often limited to the store decorator's idea of fashion and taste.

Finally, put your work away for two weeks. Relax, open a bottle of wine, and review all your work. Lay the collages out, even turn it into a party with friends. If you still like your work, then it is time to go shopping.

Article Source : Pg. 61

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Both Gradlein & Patricia Taylor are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Gradlein has sinced written about articles on various topics from Family, Health and Family. . Gradlein's top article generates over 14800 views. to your Favourites.

Patricia Taylor has sinced written about articles on various topics from Interior Design, Family Concerns and Real Estate. Patricia Taylor advises on home furnishings and decor from her web site at http://www.wallfountainshere.com She invites you to get her FREE home decorating guide here http://www.diningroomsetshere.com. Patricia Taylor's top article generates over 1000000 views. to your Favourites.