Page 11 - Copshaholm Curriculum Book_2015

The Victorian Home 2

The Front Porch (also Called the
Veranda)

The Victorians considered living outdoors to be very healthy. Most homes had front
porches that became outdoor living rooms on warm spring and summer afternoons or
evenings.

Wicker furniture and rocking chairs were popular. For large parties, they would even
move out some of the parlor furniture and rugs!

Houseplants were placed outside on pedestal tables or on ornate plant stands.
Embellishments were so popular that delicately etched glass windows appeared in
everyone’s hallway doors.
The pace of life was much slower than it is now, and Victorians would spend many
summer evenings on their porches counting shooting stars and exchanging stories and
gossip. The evening hours slipped away as the men puffed on cigars and the ladies
and children sipped glasses of lemonade.

The Front Hallway

For many years the hallway was considered a mere passageway or tunnel leading to
more important rooms, but during the later years of the Victorian era, people started
treating the hall as a room in itself.

There were pieces of furniture in the hall where the family and visitors could hang
their coats and hats. Some furniture was so elaborate that it was designed to hold an
umbrella. Most had mirrors to help the ladies and gentlemen adjust their hats.

The walls were covered with family photographs and there would be expensive
pieces of artwork also hung upon the walls.

Any lamps in the hallway were typically adorned with lampshades that were crafted
by the lady of the house. These lampshades were made of ruffled silk and sometimes
were heavily decorated with beading or ribbons, making them look like fashionable
ladies’ hats.

The Parlor or Sitting Room

The parlor or sitting room was the showplace of the Victorian home. There was
usually a plush-covered round table in the center of the room. On these tables,
displays of tiny-framed photos and a plate to hold calling cards would be placed. If
visitors came to call and found no one at home, they would leave their calling cards with
the maid or butler to let the family know that they had been there.

Floral carpets were all the rage. It was the accepted style to combine many patterns
together-even striped wallpaper with wild floral fabrics and carpets! The arms of the
over-stuffed chair sporting handmade lace doilies.