How to Create Modern Victorian House Interiors
Modern Victorian interior design is an artistic combination of the ornate and elegant details of the Victorian era (1837-1901) with the functional and simple comfortability of modern design. More than just mixing old and new, this approach creates a unique balance, respecting the historical richness of Victorian architecture while adapting to modern living standards.
For interior design professionals and homeowners alike, this article aims to act as an introduction to the design principles and techniques essential for successfully integrating modern Victorian interior design within your home.
What is Modern Victorian Interior Design?
Modern Victorian interior design takes the elaborate and ornate characteristics of the Victorian era and infuses them with the clean, simplified, and comfortable features of modern interior design. The term "Victorian" refers to the era or period during Queen Victoria's reign over the United Kingdom, which lasted from 1837 to 1901. During Queen Victoria's reign, there was a dramatic transformation in almost every aspect of British society, including architecture and interior design.
The Victorian style in architecture and interior design evolved as a reflection of both the prosperity and the social and cultural shifts of the time. Modern Victorian interior design not only celebrates a monumental time in history marked by prosperity and cultural shifts—but also transforms it to suit today's lifestyle needs.
Instead of replicating how homes looked back then, modern Victorian interior design integrates the key elements of the Victorian era style—like its elegant grandeur details and rich colors—and combines them with a simpler, more modern approach.
The Appeal of Modern Victorian House Interiors
Modern Victorian interiors allow for a high degree of personalization within one’s home. The combination of vintage pieces with modern decor provides a unique opportunity to create a space that reflects individual tastes and histories, giving homes a distinct character. Its versatility makes it so that elements of the style can be incorporated into a variety of architectural contexts and adapted to different tastes and home types.
For history enthusiasts, Victorian-era décor and furniture comes with a story. These pieces are seen as historical artifacts that carry the tales of the times they were made. Integrating these items into their homes is akin to collecting, preserving, and celebrating these stories. This process of collecting and curating is not just about beautifying a space but about preserving history.
For artists, the skilled craftsmanship, attention to detail, and artistic techniques inherent in Victorian interior designs are often a source of inspiration. The style’s use of complex color, beautiful patterns, and historic ornamentation, can significantly influence the mood and atmosphere of a room, creating environments that can range from calm, romantic, and elegant, to a more majestic and regal setting that might appeal to the business professional. The difficulty, however, lies in matching the Victorian style with today’s modern and comfortable furnishings.
Modern Victorian Interior Design: Key Elements
The challenge and beauty of Modern Victorian design lie in harmoniously integrating these historical elements with the sleek, minimalist designs of modern styles. Victorian interior design is characterized by elegant antiques, complex artistic patterns, and rich, deep colors, while modern interior design is mostly monotone, of one shade, and less complex.
Implementing this design is about carefully selecting and combining key elements of both these designs, so that they enhance, rather than overshadow, each other. This design approach is about harmonizing contrasts. It respects the distinctiveness of 19th-century decor while infusing it with the fresh, uncluttered style of modern styles.
Below, I’ll introduce the characteristics that define modern Victorian interior design, offering insights into how these two distinct styles can coexist beautifully in today's homes.
Colors: Victorian Accents with Contemporary Color Palettes
The Victorian era prominently featured both elegant and saturated colors, often reflecting the opulence and grandeur of the times. Forest green might have adorned the walls of a library or study, while burgundy graced the luxurious parlors and drawing rooms. In modern Victorian interiors, these colors find new life. Merging them with lighter, modern colors such as mint green, blush pink, or stark white walls with natural light flowing through the interiors helps in creating spaces that are both dramatic and modern, capturing the essence of both eras.
Style: Victorian Ornate Details Meets Minimalism
The Victorian 19th century time period was an age of craftsmanship, where details mattered immensely. As a result, homes from this period often boast crown moldings, decorative trims, and plasterwork that lend a room to its character. While the minimalism trend leans towards less is more, retaining these intricate Victorian design features and combining them with sleek plain furniture or decor adds a layer of texture and depth that has the clutter-free look of minimalism yet is visually rich and inviting.
Furniture: Pairing Victorian Furniture with Modernity
Victorian furniture, characterized by its ornate carvings, dark woods, and often heavy appearance, can be a standout feature in any room. However, the true magic happens when Victorian pieces are placed alongside modern furniture. A luxuriously tufted Victorian chaise lounge, with its intricate fabric patterns and curved wooden legs, when placed in a room with a sleek, modern glass coffee table, can create a visually striking contrast. This pairing integrates the lavishness of Victorian design with the simplicity and functionality of modern elements, achieving a balance of grandeur and inviting warmth.
Lighting: Illuminating Modern Victorian Interiors
The Victorian chandelier, often ornate and crafted with crystals or intricate metalwork, remains a staple. In a modern Victorian setting, these may be updated with cleaner lines or more minimalistic designs or used in an unexpected color or material. Imagine a traditional crystal chandelier juxtaposed with contemporary furnishings, or a modern, sleek chandelier design that takes cues from Victorian complexity. Modern Victorian interiors also often feature stylish pendant lights. These could be simple in design but made with luxurious materials, or could have a subtle nod to Victorian motifs, such as floral or arabesque patterns, integrated into a more minimalist form.
Patterns: Balancing Dramatic Wallpaper in Modern Spaces
One of the most distinguishable features of Victorian decor is its love for patterns—florals being the most prominent. Whether in wallpaper, upholstery, or rugs, detailed and often elaborate patterns were prevalent. In a modern context, while a classic floral wallpaper featuring intricate roses or peonies in deep reds and greens might dominate a wall, to contrast and balance this ornate backdrop, you could introduce a set of the latest throw pillows on a sleek, modern sofa. Another idea is setting up a gallery wall resembling the Victorian period, but featuring modern art. This creates a space that's both Victorian artistic and modernistic.
When it comes to modern Victorian interiors, each element - from color schemes and ornate detailing to furniture choices and lighting fixtures - plays a pivotal role in creating a space that is both a nod to historical grandeur and a reflection of modernity.
Modern Victorian Interior Design: Merav Frenkel
Interested in modern Victorian interior design? I'm Merav Frenkel, and as a professional interior designer, my approach is deeply rooted in a passion for reviving storied designs, giving them a fresh, modern twist while preserving the qualities of the past. This combination creates spaces that are not only visually stunning but also embody a unique blend of traditional charm and modern-day practicality.
When it comes to modern Victorian interior design, I strive to ensure that every design project respects the historical integrity of Victorian aesthetics while seamlessly incorporating contemporary functionality, resulting in living spaces that are both timeless and comfortably modern.
With a keen eye for detail and a deep appreciation for both eras, I guide my clients through a transformative design journey, ensuring each space tells a captivating story and provides a comforting, modern home. Connect with me today and let's embark on this design journey together, crafting a home that reflects the grandeur of Victorian elegance alongside the comforts of modern living. @meravfrenkeldesign