Decorating
Mourning the Loss of ‘Victoria’ From Your Sunday TV? This Will Help
Survive until series two (coming next year!) by treating your home to some Victoriana. Browse below and take your pick
If the idea of this Sunday night without your fix of ITV’s just-finished period drama, Victoria, is making you glum, cheer yourself up by indulging in some interiors ideas from the era.
The show’s sets and locations, including the magnificent Harewood House in Yorkshire, were just as mesmerising as the storyline, which, so far, has only fictionalised the early years of Victoria’s 63-year-long reign (though there are rumours of five more series).
Décor throughout has been all about rich, dark colours, luxurious textiles, historic portraiture, pattern overload – and lots and lots of candles. Which idea would you steal for your home?
The show’s sets and locations, including the magnificent Harewood House in Yorkshire, were just as mesmerising as the storyline, which, so far, has only fictionalised the early years of Victoria’s 63-year-long reign (though there are rumours of five more series).
Décor throughout has been all about rich, dark colours, luxurious textiles, historic portraiture, pattern overload – and lots and lots of candles. Which idea would you steal for your home?
Make your table centre stage
Remember the servants’ dark, cosy kitchen – all gleaming copper pots and that vast multi-functional table? The wooden centrepiece was big enough for several kitchen staff to be prepping on it simultaneously, while doubling up as a spot around which they could also share their suppers.
This example works more as an island, for storage and prep only, but in a different position it could also work with chairs around it.
Look out for ‘antique country kitchen table’ if you’re searching online for originals.
Remember the servants’ dark, cosy kitchen – all gleaming copper pots and that vast multi-functional table? The wooden centrepiece was big enough for several kitchen staff to be prepping on it simultaneously, while doubling up as a spot around which they could also share their suppers.
This example works more as an island, for storage and prep only, but in a different position it could also work with chairs around it.
Look out for ‘antique country kitchen table’ if you’re searching online for originals.
The table dominates in the kitchen at Harewood House, Yorkshire, where much of the below stairs action was filmed for the ITV series.
Image: © Harewood House Trust
Image: © Harewood House Trust
Embrace maximalism
There was nothing minimal about Victorian interiors – and the more opulence and ornamentation you can pack into your space, the more authentic you’ll be.
This room manages to feel dark, like the majority of the on-screen interiors, yet not dingy. If you have the luxury of windows this large, and a sunny aspect, you could potentially go for half-pulled blackout blinds, too.
If not, paint your walls dark and go for cosy and intimate that way – it can be a great, if counterintuitive, way to tackle a north-facing room; in other words, accept it will never feel airy and embrace it for all its dimly lit potential. Throw in plenty of sumptuous textiles and layer them up with abandon.
Discover the 10 tenets of maximalism
There was nothing minimal about Victorian interiors – and the more opulence and ornamentation you can pack into your space, the more authentic you’ll be.
This room manages to feel dark, like the majority of the on-screen interiors, yet not dingy. If you have the luxury of windows this large, and a sunny aspect, you could potentially go for half-pulled blackout blinds, too.
If not, paint your walls dark and go for cosy and intimate that way – it can be a great, if counterintuitive, way to tackle a north-facing room; in other words, accept it will never feel airy and embrace it for all its dimly lit potential. Throw in plenty of sumptuous textiles and layer them up with abandon.
Discover the 10 tenets of maximalism
Paint in moody hues
The light and bright Scandi look was not even a glint in Victoria or Albert’s eye during the Queen’s reign. And the Victorians weren’t afraid of rich, dark colours on their walls.
Heavy damask wall coverings are one option (see below), but if you don’t fancy that as your deeply coloured backdrop, inky painted walls happen to be rather fashionable right now, and will help to create a Victorian ambience, especially when combined with gleaming silk or satin for depth.
See more rooms with inky dark walls
The light and bright Scandi look was not even a glint in Victoria or Albert’s eye during the Queen’s reign. And the Victorians weren’t afraid of rich, dark colours on their walls.
Heavy damask wall coverings are one option (see below), but if you don’t fancy that as your deeply coloured backdrop, inky painted walls happen to be rather fashionable right now, and will help to create a Victorian ambience, especially when combined with gleaming silk or satin for depth.
See more rooms with inky dark walls
Light your entrance
There were numerous scenes in Victoria where the monarch is seen walking along lavishly candlelit hallways. What a job it must have been to keep all those elaborate wall-mounted candleholders and candelabras shiny and wax-free – but, oh, wasn’t it worth it? The warmth and cosiness candlelight brings is pretty magical.
There is, however, a safer modern equivalent (weren’t you just poised for a royal fire storyline, watching all that flaming wax in close proximity to so many drapes and curtains?). How about lining your hallway or stairs with candles reassuringly encased inside hurricane lamps, like these. After dark, this would make for a wonderfully welcoming sight for dinner guests.
There were numerous scenes in Victoria where the monarch is seen walking along lavishly candlelit hallways. What a job it must have been to keep all those elaborate wall-mounted candleholders and candelabras shiny and wax-free – but, oh, wasn’t it worth it? The warmth and cosiness candlelight brings is pretty magical.
There is, however, a safer modern equivalent (weren’t you just poised for a royal fire storyline, watching all that flaming wax in close proximity to so many drapes and curtains?). How about lining your hallway or stairs with candles reassuringly encased inside hurricane lamps, like these. After dark, this would make for a wonderfully welcoming sight for dinner guests.
Alternatively, and a little more period-authentically, ornate wall sconces that look like candleholders could be beautifully atmospheric, too.
Less perplexingly than in the show, yours can be powered by electricity rather than gas (in case you missed that episode, let’s just say there was lots of drama when the palace first dabbled with gaslights).
Less perplexingly than in the show, yours can be powered by electricity rather than gas (in case you missed that episode, let’s just say there was lots of drama when the palace first dabbled with gaslights).
Candleabras in the Yellow Drawing Room at Harewood House; for the television series, candle-filled ones were used instead.
Image: © Paul Barker and Harewood House Trust
Image: © Paul Barker and Harewood House Trust
Choose a chandelier
No Victorian room would be complete without an ornate chandelier. Of course, originally they’d have been illuminated with candles, but, as already suggested, there are more relaxing modern alternatives (however, top marks for these candle-shaped bulb holders). Choose brass or, as here, glass – and don’t hold back on the detailing. Ornate rules.
While you’re at it (and if you’re brave enough for such a statement), take this room’s lead and go the whole hog. This space may be brighter and lighter than its original version, but it’s got the lot: maximalist to the hilt; rich in pattern and deep colours; luxuriating in layered textiles; accessorised with Asian-style ceramics; soft with velvet; heavy on the dark red; fringed with houseplants and dusted with gold detailing. Phew. And you might even have time to get it all together before Victoria series two starts next year.
No Victorian room would be complete without an ornate chandelier. Of course, originally they’d have been illuminated with candles, but, as already suggested, there are more relaxing modern alternatives (however, top marks for these candle-shaped bulb holders). Choose brass or, as here, glass – and don’t hold back on the detailing. Ornate rules.
While you’re at it (and if you’re brave enough for such a statement), take this room’s lead and go the whole hog. This space may be brighter and lighter than its original version, but it’s got the lot: maximalist to the hilt; rich in pattern and deep colours; luxuriating in layered textiles; accessorised with Asian-style ceramics; soft with velvet; heavy on the dark red; fringed with houseplants and dusted with gold detailing. Phew. And you might even have time to get it all together before Victoria series two starts next year.
The Cinnamon Drawing Room at Harewood, another of the rooms used as a set for the television series, featuring a grand chandelier.
Image: © Harewood House Trust and Jonty Hall
Image: © Harewood House Trust and Jonty Hall
Dabble with damask
This is surely a modern bedroom in which the historical young Queen could feel almost at home.
A big part of the Victorian appeal here is the damask-style wallpaper, intensely patterned and ornate, setting the tone for the rest of the space. Strictly, damask is a fabric with floral motifs woven into it, but the decorative effect has long been translated onto other home accessories. The Victorians embraced pattern, so, if you’re feeling bold, why stop at your walls?
This is surely a modern bedroom in which the historical young Queen could feel almost at home.
A big part of the Victorian appeal here is the damask-style wallpaper, intensely patterned and ornate, setting the tone for the rest of the space. Strictly, damask is a fabric with floral motifs woven into it, but the decorative effect has long been translated onto other home accessories. The Victorians embraced pattern, so, if you’re feeling bold, why stop at your walls?
A richly patterned ceiling in the imposing Robert Adam designed Gallery at Harewood House, another room used as a set for the series.
Image: © Harewood House Trust
Image: © Harewood House Trust
Cover with a cloche
The glass dome, bell jar or cloche was a popular accessory, particularly in affluent or academic Victorian homes. It would traditionally hold specimens or replicas from the natural world – anything from taxidermic birds to seashells and wax fruit.
Interest in the natural world was big during Victoria’s reign, as was travel and the ex-pat lifestyle in the countries of the Empire, long before the institution’s moral dubiousness became a mainstream idea.
Anything encased in glass has the potential to look special; the idea creates a little stage for everyday objects. So if you don’t go down the natural route, you could try a cloche to stylishly display items as disparate as a child’s first shoes or a 1980s plastic figurine. Experiment!
The glass dome, bell jar or cloche was a popular accessory, particularly in affluent or academic Victorian homes. It would traditionally hold specimens or replicas from the natural world – anything from taxidermic birds to seashells and wax fruit.
Interest in the natural world was big during Victoria’s reign, as was travel and the ex-pat lifestyle in the countries of the Empire, long before the institution’s moral dubiousness became a mainstream idea.
Anything encased in glass has the potential to look special; the idea creates a little stage for everyday objects. So if you don’t go down the natural route, you could try a cloche to stylishly display items as disparate as a child’s first shoes or a 1980s plastic figurine. Experiment!
Ogle an oil painting
No palace would be complete without its portraits. While you might not be able to source ancestral oil paintings, you can easily find ways to use portraiture to create a similar effect.
Scour second-hand shops for other people’s historical family likenesses and adopt them as your own; these may well come in suitably gold-coloured ornate frames, to boot. Or look for reproductions of old masters at art vendors such as Surface View, which has a National Portrait Gallery collection.
No palace would be complete without its portraits. While you might not be able to source ancestral oil paintings, you can easily find ways to use portraiture to create a similar effect.
Scour second-hand shops for other people’s historical family likenesses and adopt them as your own; these may well come in suitably gold-coloured ornate frames, to boot. Or look for reproductions of old masters at art vendors such as Surface View, which has a National Portrait Gallery collection.
Portraits in the Cinnamon Drawing Room at Harewood House.
Image: © Harewood House Trust and Jonty Hall
Image: © Harewood House Trust and Jonty Hall
… And in the Yellow Drawing Room, another set.
Image: © Paul Barker and Harewood House Trust
Image: © Paul Barker and Harewood House Trust
Accessorise it all with a small dog*
Queen Victoria was seldom without a canine companion and fans of the series will remember Dash, whose fictional self was indulged and free to scamper about the palace. For authenticity, adopt a silky spaniel, just like Dash.
Make your pooch comfortable by furnishing your home with equally Victorian details, including plush velvets and luxuriously layered textiles.
* But of course, please don’t really get a dog as an accessory.
Did you watch the show? Which Victorian-inspired décor idea took your fancy? Share your tips in the Comments below.
At Harewood.org, you can read about how Harewood House prepared for the filming of ITV’s Victoria, and check out their themed exhibition, opening March 2017.
Queen Victoria was seldom without a canine companion and fans of the series will remember Dash, whose fictional self was indulged and free to scamper about the palace. For authenticity, adopt a silky spaniel, just like Dash.
Make your pooch comfortable by furnishing your home with equally Victorian details, including plush velvets and luxuriously layered textiles.
* But of course, please don’t really get a dog as an accessory.
Did you watch the show? Which Victorian-inspired décor idea took your fancy? Share your tips in the Comments below.
At Harewood.org, you can read about how Harewood House prepared for the filming of ITV’s Victoria, and check out their themed exhibition, opening March 2017.
As travel became more popular, design inspiration, especially from Asia, found its way into Victorian homes. Chinoiserie became popular, whether on tiles or embroidered textiles or painted onto walls.
This wonderful chinoiserie wallpaper might have been set on a moodier backdrop in Queen Victoria’s interiors, but this pale jade interpretation is perfect for creating a calm atmosphere in a bedroom.
Love the secret door, too – hidden entrances were also big during the Queen’s reign. To beef up your homage, consider using the idea for hiding built-in storage.