A Victorian home, in its day, was a shrine to domesticity and a place of endless expression. In all Victorian houses, of course, there contained formal and informal rooms to be decorated as such. The lounge or parlor room and the dining room were usually the most formal in decor. The back rooms of the house were informal. There may have been, in the back of some houses, a staircase set apart from the main staircase. This led to servants quarters, utility areas and the basement. Adding to the conveniency of these rooms was running water in the bathroom and electric or gas powered lighting.

Many textiles and paintings reflected the Victorians affections for flowers and exotic plants. Carvings of botanical motifs in the richness of the wood could be seen about the house. Florals in wallpaper and fabrics were very popular. Stained glass held the images of flowers to catch a beam of sunlight and cast the colored light on adjacent walls.

The front doors to the Victorian estate were doubled and varnished richly to display such fine woodwork. The entrances of some Victorians had marble Floors. Others had rich stained wooden floors with deep colored rugs leading up to a fine grand staircase. As in the case in the photo to the left the floors are stained in a deep dark color. An inviting bench sits beneath the stairway and is seen just as one enters the grand entrance. White lace curtains give a soft charm to this room.

Some critics believe that Victorian furniture was heavy, bulky and most uncomfortable. However, popular designers brought about diversity of period furniture. Curved ornamental furniture was at the highth of popularity. Domestic designers produced curvilinear, deeply upholstered sofas and chairs. Tables like this one on the right is an example of the ornate curvature and detailed carving in some of these period pieces of furniture.

The passion for collecting curious and exotic things was not at all uncommon among the Victorians. Other more common collections could be easily seen about the rooms. Beadwork, needlework, seashells, fringe pillows, glasswork, family photographs, heirlooms, lace, murals and fancy lighting all arranged in a "clustered" fashion rather than cluttered.

Of course, one of my favorites are the many elegant styles of lamps and lighting. Such examples are crystal chandeliers, small table crystal lamps and fancy fringed table and corner lamps, like the one pictured on the left. These lamps are a very common accessory to Victorian parlors and sitting rooms.

Here are three elegant pictures. One is of a charming fireplace and mantle. The other two are romantic bedrooms. All of which I adore.