The Victorian Home: The Grandeur and Comforts of the Victorian Era, in Households Past and Present (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "Just as furniture and interior styles went through numerous changes during the Victorian period, so did architectural design..." (more)
Key Phrases: tripartite wall treatment, decorative accessories and collectibles, household experts, High Style, Renaissance Revival, Victorian Revival (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

To recreate the Victorian style of decorating may conjure up nightmarish visions of over-the-top, frilly curtains and heavy, depressing colors. Luckily, Ellen M. Plante reveals how to tastefully transform any room into an elegant and comfortable living space--frills are not compulsory! The Victorian Home is not only a beautifully written design guide to reviving rooms from this era, it's also a fascinating history lesson on the culture of the mid- to late-19th-century gentrified society in Britain. For this privileged class, the home was the "center of the universe, a safe haven from a rapidly industrializing society." Therefore, every chair, ornament, and light fixture was carefully chosen and exquisitely arranged to create a look of maximum opulence. Today, the reasons to "go Victorian" are much simpler. This look can be a lovely addition to any home--a look that is both timeless and elegant. The rooms photographed in The Victorian Home reflect the wonderful versatility of this era. Some rooms merely capture the essence of the period in the style of the fireplace or the choice of wallpaper. Other rooms duplicate the era in every minute detail, right down to the arrangement of dishes and cutlery on a dinner table. Throughout this elegant book are useful sidebars providing tips and techniques for Victorian decorating, and a comprehensive index of expressions and terms. Viva Victoria! --Naomi Gesinger

From Library Journal

This beautifully illustrated book shows how to achieve a Victorian look, whether decorating in an overall high style or just adding period touches to a modern decor. Plante (Kitchen Collectables: An Illustrated Price Guide, Chilton, 1991) begins with an overview of the various decorating styles that make up the era, then room by room gives a history, describes appropriate furnishings, and includes quotes from period style sources such as Godey's Lady's Book. The style chronology, helpful for those unfamiliar with Victoriana, and the resource guide of primarily U.S. suppliers make this an excellent purchase as Victorian style continues in popularity.
Gayle A. Williamson, Fashion Inst. of Design & Merchandising, Los Angeles
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Courage Books; Subsequent edition (August 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 076240390X
• ISBN-13: 978-0762403905
• Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 11.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #516,115 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is so great it gives me goosebumps, February 7, 2000

By	Lissy Friedman (Boston, MA USA) - See all my reviews

I bought this book about a year ago and I still refer back to it often. The photos are so gorgeous, they give me goosebumps. They transport me into a place I'd like to live, a fantasy of design and genteel composure. The text is informative and the quality of photos is top notch. I highly recommend this book to folks who like Victorian design, both contemporary and traditional. You will feel the money was well spent!

28 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent pictures and details, February 18, 1999

By A Customer

I found this book at a local library, I have went threw several books to get ideas on styles and of the victorian era. I found this one to be one of the best. It has wonderful, all color photographs, has a dictionary of old words and is wonderful for discribing details. I am going to purchase it for my own collection.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent resource, May 9, 2001

By	Janice J. Stelzman "Gran Jan" (Morristown, Tennessee United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: VICTORIAN HOME: The Grandeur and Comfort of the Victorian Era, in Households Past and Present (Hardcover)

I could not have decorated my recently renovated 100 year old Victorian home without this book. Friends and family think I have great potential as a decorator, little do they know.