LIGHTING VICTORIAN HOMES
At the start of Queen Victoria’s 63 year reign in 1837, houses were lit by candles and oil lamps and from the light provided by coal fires. Gas lighting was introduced in the mid to late Victorian period and at Victoria’s death in 1901 electric lighting was only in its infancy. Many of us still live in homes built during the Victorian period and although we tend to think of the typical Victorian terraced houses there were, in fact, many styles of houses built during this time, ranging from Gothic and Italianate to Queen Ann Revival and Arts and Crafts style homes. In this blog we will show you how to inject some Victorian style into your home.
It is difficult for us to imagine today just how dark houses were during this period – the light from a modern 60 watt light bulb is roughly equivalent to the light from 74 candles! Keeping lighting in character does present us with a bit of a dilemma as we certainly do not want to return to candlelight or gas fittings nor, on the other hand, do we want to introduce modern fluorescent lights or plastic pendants.
Most Victorian homes in use today will have had new light fittings installed when their electricity supply was first introduced and the chances are they have been updated many times since. To keep lighting in character we need to have a balance between historic authenticity and practicality. Reproduction light fittings that accurately replicate original fittings will retain the character and luckily you will be spoilt for choice as here at Bespoke Lights we have a superb collection of reproduction Victorian lighting. Period Victorian lighting that complies with modern safely standards provides the perfect solution.
High ceilings warrant great light fittings. Period lights add an authentic heritage feel.
Lighting in large Victorian drawing rooms, parlours and dining rooms would have included imposing chandeliers suspended from the ceiling on chains. Victorian rooms generally had high ceilings which were well suited to these long drop chandelier style fittings, which had the effect of lowering the ceiling and reducing the apparent size of the room. Chandeliers were made in a variety of materials including brass, cast iron, wrought iron or crystal and hung from central plaster ceiling roses.
Faceted droplets and swags adon Victorian style chandeliers. Would you like this light? Click on image for more details or contact Bespoke Lights.
The Victorians took every opportunity to embellish their chandeliers with decorative scroll arms and frequently adorned them with faceted glass beads, crystal or ornate glass shades. Additional lighting would have been provided by matching wall sconces around the room,candelabras on the mantelpiece in front of mirrors, oil lamps on tables as well as candelabras and candlesticks around the room. Oil lamps would have featured large opaque glass shades around the inner chimney to diffuse the light.
Fringed lamp adds high Victorian style when placed next to this chair
Many of the Victorian glass shades were coloured or frosted and etched with decorative patterns. Fabric shades became popular and were sumptuously decorated with frills and tassels. In larger Victorian homes the hall was an important room, furnished in its own right, and would have warranted a large impressive chandelier or lantern.The hoop or cartwheel style chandeliers were popular for lighting in Victorian entrance halls.
When choosing Victorian lighting for your home look for fittings that complement the style of your house and the room you are decorating. Check out the period detailing and make sure you are selecting a chandelier or ceiling light that it is in proportion to the room and that it will give you the light level you need. Where you are including several lights in the same room you should be able to find fixtures that are designed to be used together.
Lighting suitable for Victorian period bathrooms.
Prismatic globe pendant lights are perfect for Victorian homes. Use in kitchens or hallways.
The good news is that you will find a wealth of quality reproduction and replica Victorian lighting right here at Bespoke Lights including beautiful chandeliers for elegant reception rooms, ceiling pendants for smaller rooms and flush fitting lights for rooms with lower ceilings. We have a lovely collection of lighting for Victorian bathrooms and, for outdoors our great range of iconic Victorian lamp posts and weatherproof wall lanterns are proving very popular.