The Victorian interior that designer Jane Greenway created for a classic Victorian home is true to form in every way. Her research into the period revealed the importance of the parlor in the Victorian home -- often several parlors, including one for ladies and another for gentlemen. In an effort to keep the rooms of the home true to their original function, she designed a smaller room as a men's parlor and decorated the main parlor in a more feminine decor. Jane began the design process in the main parlor by choosing antique ruby, a popular color of the day, for the walls. The wall color and main parlor's feminine style dictated the window treatment, which is typical of the Victorian period, with fringed swags and curvy side panels layered over heavy center panels (figure A). Furnishings, including an empire sofa and a pair of ornate occasional chairs, are comfortable yet true to the period. The empire sofa in burled walnut is covered in warm red and green to match the decor and layered with fringed pillows covered in drapery fabric (figure B). The side chairs are covered in gold fabric with a leaf motif. The room is anchored with two perfect examples of Victorian decor: a walnut desk and a dark mahogany sideboard. The sideboard is topped with 19th-century crystal, a popular decorating accent of the time (figure C). Heavy mirrors and artwork are also characteristic. Ornately framed oil paintings accent the color scheme of the room with warm golds and reds (figure D). The gold, burgundy and emerald green of the men's parlor blends well with the dark built-in bookcases and provides a classic Victorian backdrop for masculine furnishings and accessories (figure E). Heavy draperies with straight lines are surprisingly masculine looking, despite the fact that they're loaded with tassels and trim. Decorating accents include hunting-themed artwork and authentic touches such as pipes and antique eyeglasses.
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Jane Greenway
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