Victorian Style Home Decor: It's All in the Details

If you live in a traditional Victorian home and want an interior that reflects that time period, you must look to the details. Detail is all-important in Victorian period décor, which is known for its rich appearance and ornate elements. Victorian style is actually a blend of a number of styles that were popular during the reign of England's Queen Victoria (1837-1901). It was a time when the Industrial Revolution made possible the mass reproduction of home items, and also when the British Empire was exploring new lands. And so a Victorian parlor might contain knickknacks both of English origin and also from Egypt, China, and India. Collections, photographs and objects d'arte were all part of the Victorian look. To recapture that era in your own home, you can look for these items:

- Framed photographs. Photography became affordable for the masses during the Victorian era, and so the parlor was usually filled with family photos, often in lovely, highly embellished frames. You can find antique frames at good prices at flea markets; sometimes you'll also spot them at family yard sales.

There are also a number of new frames that are made in the Victorian style. Craft stores and art shops often have a wide-ranging selection.

If you really want that Victorian look, you can use old family photos that have an antiqued look or are in black-and-white. Portraits are best - the Victorians didn't take a lot of action shots - and you can make over your color photos in black-and-white or sepia tone for an antiqued look, either on your home computer or by taking the photos to a full-service photo shop.

You also might want to consider buying antique photos, either at an antiques store, flea market, or from a Web site such as www.antiquephotos.com.

Photos should be in tabletop frames and arranged attractively on a mantle or other prominent location. A variety of frame sizes and shapes adds to the Victorian look of the photo collection. You can also mix ornate frames with simple ones.