Page 13 - Copshaholm Curriculum Book_2015

The Victorian Home 4

Gas ovens were available but were not as popular as the old wood and coal stoves
that were hooked up to a hot water tank so there was no waiting for hot water.

The floor was wooden except for the tiled area around the stove to protect against
fire. Kitchen floors were kept bare so that it was easy to clean them.

The Gazebo and Flower Garden

Fresh floral arrangements were considered a necessity in Victorian homes. The lady
of the house raised a variety of flowers in her backyard. The gazebo provided a nice
shaded area for admiring the garden on sunny days.

The Victorians’ interest in flowers was not just restricted to love of their color and
form. They also assigned various traits and meanings to each flower. When someone
was presented with a special bouquet of flowers, all of the floral meanings fit together
into a message. It was a rather formal era and people sometimes used flowers to
express their feelings, instead of verbalizing them.

Here is a list of the flowers and the meanings that Victorians assigned to them, taken
from Flower Lore by Miss Carruthers of Inverness, published in 1879.

Anemone: brevity Marigold: sorrow
Belladonna: fatal Mistletoe: surmounting difficulties
Camellia: excellence Narcissus: egotism
Carnation: admiration Olive: peace, security
Cherry blossom: education Pansy: thought
Crocus: youthful gladness Peach blossom: a bride
Daffodil: regard Poppy: sleep, consolation
Daisy: innocence Roses: passionate love
Edelweiss: daring, courage Sunflower: pride, riches
Fern: fascination Sweet pea: departure
Forget-me-not: forget me not Tulip: ardent love
Grass: usefulness Violet: steadfastness
Holly: good wishes Willow: forsaken love
Iris: hope Zinnia: thoughts of absent friends
Ivy: fidelity
Lily of the valley: return of happiness

The Master Bedroom

The massive Renaissance-style bedroom suite could have been carved from walnut
and walnut burl. Usually dressers and nightstands were topped with marble. The bed
was high off the floor because of early morning drafts (after the fire in the fireplace had
died down).