Week 14: Victorian and Historical Revivals

 

Victorian Period – Blog Post


What I learned:

The victorian period was a combination of many different styles! Designers explored new materials and technologies while also taking inspiration from the past. Architecture became more dramatic, and interiors were full and detailed. Patterned wallpaper and dark woods were popular. Victorian furniture used new materials like cast iron and machine-made ornaments, which made it easy to create richly decorated spaces today. 


Favorite Examples:


Houses of Parliament 

Royal Pavilion at Brighton

Better Rococo Revival sofa 

Leighton House interior 


Current Applications:

Maximalist interiors inspired by Victorian layering and ornament

Dark and moody color palettes paired with patterned wallpapers.

Ornate furniture pieces are used as statement items in modern homes


Victorian cast iron detailing


One Step Further: The Leighton House


The Leighton House, located in London, is one of the most famous examples of Victorian design. It was created by the artist Frederic Leighton as his own home and studio. The inside of the house is filled with lots of colors, detailed patterns, and tiles that show how Victorians loved art and decor. One of the coolest rooms is the “Arab Hall,” which was inspired by Middle Eastern design and covered in colorful mosaics and arches. The Leighton House shows how Victorian designers used ideas from all over the world to create spaces that felt dramatic and unique!


Arab Hall


The winter studio (his painting studio)


The narcissus hall (entrance hall)


Staircase with decorated walls


Exterior



Reflection:

The victorian period stood out to me because it blended so many styles at once! The interiors just feel very full of personality and life. I appreciated how designers used technology and history to be creative in their work. You can still see pieces of the dramatic design in homes today in very maximalist spaces.

Comments

  1. Abigail FosterDecember 6, 2025 at 9:11 AM

    I love the modern interiors you chose to highlight; the use of layering patterns and decorative items is very interesting!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Professor VanderNoordaaDecember 7, 2025 at 6:57 AM

    Allyssa,
    Excellent summary! 50/50 points

    ReplyDelete

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