dolls house source information

Influences On Victorian Design & Style

Early Victorian (1837 – 1860)

The influence of neo-classical architecture and style continued into the nineteenth century. This was characterized by a elegant and sinuous style, designs based around swathes and garlands of flowers linked by ribbons, bows and arranged in classical urns and vases.

By the 1840’s there was a Gothic Revival, with designers returning to mediaeval times for inspiration. William Morris is characteristic of this revival that developed into the Arts & Crafts Movement.

Flowers and motifs, copies of well known paintings and biblical scenes were also popular and were copied onto carpets, rugs, cushions, fire screens, sofas, bell pulls, curtain trims and many other soft furnishing.

Late Victorian (1860 – 1901)

As chemical dyes became available colours became brighter, richer and more vibrant. Magenta, greens and purples were used in abundance. Soft furnishings with floral patterns, wreaths, popular painting motifs were popular.

During the next decade, the 1870’s there was a reaction against the harsh colour schemes and the soft muted colours returned. Patchwork and quilting were worked with enthusiasm. Patchwork and appliqué were particularly popular and “crazy” patchwork was used widely for bed coverings, sofa throws and dressing gowns.

Arts & Crafts Style (1870’s +)

The Arts & Crafts style developed from the Gothic Revival of the 1840’s and 50’s which looked back to mediaeval designers and crafts people for inspiration. William Morris was prolific in the Arts & Crafts movement. He strongly believed that peoples homes should contain handmade, well designed items in their homes rather than machine made, mass produced pieces. Much of Morris’ early work was based around early tapestries and wall hangings. Working with other designers including Walter Crane and Edward Burne-Jones Morris produced wallpapers, fabrics, furniture, tiles and ceramics.

Art Nouveau (Late 1890’s – 1910)

Developed by the Pre-Raphaelite and Arts and Crafts movements and popular throughout Europe and North America Art Nouveau was characterized by flowing sinous lines and organic motifs.

In Britian the style was typified by the work of Rennie Mackintosh and the Glasgow School Of Art. In England Walter Crane and Thomas Dresser were foremost in developing the trend. Over in Europe Paris and Vienna were the main centres.

The Edwardian Era (1901 – 1910)

The upper class houses continued to display all the symbols of wealth that the Victorians loved. The Edwardian era had an elegance of it’s own blending Art Nouveau and Aesthetic movement. The aesthetic movement stemmed from an interest in Japanese artifacts imported into Britain from the 1870’s onwards and made popular by Liberty & Co.. The style was characterized by textiles and embroiderys in pale greys and mauves with an Oriental influence.