Victorian Living Room - Comfort with Essentials of Good Furnishings

Our passion is utilizing original restored Victorian paintings when designing that special room in your historic home.  We are pleased that interior design experts through time recognize that designing your room is very similar to the color harmony and composition of a great 19th century painting by a master.

In his 1923 booklet titled Better Homes – How to Furnish Them (sixth printing, third edition), Sterling B McDonald (Art Director, S. Karpen & Bros., Instructor of Interior Decoration, Art Institute of Chicago), states:

“To “untwist the secret chains that tie the hidden soul of harmony,” to cozingmbine with beauty the essentials of good furnishings and to accumulate prestige for the home, by creating an environment restful to mind and body – that is the excuse for the maintenance of a domicile.  The reward amply justifies the pleasurable task of planning, then acquiring the appointments to make such a setting as is here depicted.

The room has the appearance of a livable home.  No artist could make it more loved by the occupants.  The friendly fashion of the arrangement, the care that has been exercised in the selection of accessories, the quality of the furniture, all conspire to make it the heart of the home.

Sunshine is then brought into the room by northern exposures by the colors used.  The walls are in warm neutral tints, but not advancing.  There are rugs on the floor in tones of burnt sienna.  Contrasts of blue and gold enhance the predominating color notes.  One semi-formal chair is upholstered in tapestry.  The sofa and arm chair have a combination of damask and cut mohair.  Another chair is upholstered in a Hand Loom tapestry, harmonizing with the general color scheme.  A convenient wrought iron reading lamp has a shade of jade green.  Draperies of two tone gold damask form a frame for the outer vista and irradiate their warmth to all parts of the room.”