Rich brocade fabrics, detailed furniture and an abundance of tassels and fringe are strong design elements of the Victorian era. A visit to the Southern California tearoom of Audrey and Vivian Heredia provides loads of ideas for using tassels and fringe in new ways. Tassels, cording and fringe are everywhere in the McCharles House: tassels embellish candelabras and hang from ceiling fixtures and lamps; tasseled cording holds pictures on the wall, ties up shades and holds back curtains; and layered fringe, not crown molding, tops the walls. Soft-colored tassels draped on timeworn candleholders add a lovely touch and can easily be changed with the season or occasion (figure A). A tasseled cord adds a functional, decorative touch to an old-fashioned light fixture, and tassels and fringe dress up lamp pulls and lampshades. Old-fashioned pictures are hung with tasseled silk cording (figure B). Elegant tasseled cording is intertwined with dried greenery above windows and incorporated into the window treatments as well: the cording's natural grip makes it perfect for tying up window shades (figure C) and holding back curtains. An assortment of lovely antique teacups, tied with cording and hung from a front-porch newel post (figure D), become a wind chime of sorts (figure E). Antique fringe tacked to the perimeter of the room at the ceiling is a creative alternative to crown molding (figure F). Black tacks hold a thin trim of patterned gold fringe to long strands of antique mauve fringe, giving a button look. All the details of the Victorian tearoom are tied together with the color scheme, which includes Victorian pinks, mauves and greens. Surprising accents in shades of yellow, peach and orange blend beautifully with the wide range of pinks and mauves (figure G).
GUESTS :
Audrey and Vivian Heredia
335 South C St.
Tustin, CA 92780
Phone: 714-731-4063
Tollfree Phone: 888-MYCUPOFTEA
Email: tea@mccharleshouse.com
Website: www.mccharleshouse.com
The McCharles House Tea Room
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