THE WORKINGS OF A VICTORIAN HOME, PART 3...AND A REVEAL...

"A gush of bird-song, a patter of dew,

A cloud and a rainbow's warning,

Suddenly sunshine and perfect blue -

An April day in the morning."

Harriet Prescott Spofford

Private spaces devoted to rest and relaxation, Victorian bedrooms are today viewed as unabashedly romantic retreats.  

In the display of the old-fashioned boudoir, I'd like to take you through the ways that a Victorian bedroom would have been set up, according to the style of the day, and to also introduce you to the new and improved Cottage guest bedroom.

"The bedroom should be essentially clear of everything that can collect and hold dust in any form; should be bright and cheerful, pleasantly furnished with light and cheerful furniture of good and simple design, in which everything should be carefully arranged for use, not show."

Richard A. Wells, A.M.

"Manners, Culture and Dress of the Best American Society"

1891

Doorway leading into The Snuggery

Doorway leading into the Entry Hall

"Chambers and bedrooms are, of course, a portion of the house to be sedulously and scrupulously attended to, if either health or comfort are aimed at in the family.  

And first, every mistress of a family should see, not only that all sleeping-rooms in her house can be well ventilated at night, but that they actually are so.  Where there is no provision made for the introduction of pure air in the construction of the house, and in the bedroom itself no open fire-place to allow the easy exit of foul air, a door should be left open into an entry or room where fresh air is admitted; or else a small opening should be made in a window, taking care not to allow a draught of air to cross the bed.

  The debility of childhood, the lassitude of domestics, and the ill-health of families, are often caused by neglecting to provide a supply of pure air."

Catherine E. Beecher and Harriet Beecher Stowe

"The American Woman's Home"

1869

Stargazer lillies  from Costco. I swear these flowers last forever and smell so good!

"The bed was made up, I saw the gleam of white linen on the pillowcase, and the tip of a blanket beneath the quilted coverlet."

Daphne DeMaurier, "Rebecca"

"If a house is well built, suitable located, and free from dampness, a bedroom may be on the ground floor; although as a rule one of the upper floors is better.

  It has been well said that a bedroom should be deaf to noise, and blind to light.  It is not always possible to attain this, but it is the object to aim at.  The glare of a sunny room may be modified by linen curtains, and a baize covering to the door will deaden sound.  

The room should be well ventilated, and yet free from draughts.  The windows should open from the top, and there should be a fireplace in the room, if possible.  A painted and varnished wall is doubtless the best.  It is non-absorbent, and is easily cleaned.  

If papered, let the design be free from any pronounced figures or striking patterns, which, in the half-lights of the night or early morning, will suggest to the tired brain weird figures or mathematical problems.

 A bedroom should be light rather than dark, and the furniture and general woodwork, such as the doors, wainscoting, etc. should be of light colors.  The latter should be varnished so that it can be easily washed and cleaned."

Smiley's Cook Book and New and Complete Guide for Housekeepers

1898

You might remember awhile back I said I planned on painting the furniture. I've decided against it for now, but never say never.

"Bedrooms are usually ornamented with less care than they might be.  The wall should be papered in light colours, the patterns not too prominent.  The cornice should be small and neat."

Alexander V. Hamilton

"The Household Cyclopaedia of Practical Receipts and Daily Wants"

1873

Lavender wreath and tiny flowers, JoAnne's.

Quilt and shams, Brylane Home catalog

It was such a small picture in the catalog that I hoped the color would go with the wallpaper. When it arrived, it was simply

a perfect match.

 Picked the last daffodils before the wind and rain came.

I hope you enjoyed the reveal of the guest bedroom in our Cottage.

If you are super vigilant you might notice that I've only shown you three sides and a room is not complete unless it has four walls.

The fourth wall of this reveal has been the reason for the long delay in finishing this room, and I think you might be pleasantly surprised if you can just wait a little longer.

"This was a woman's room, graceful, fragile, the room of someone who had chosen every particle of furniture with great care, so that each chair, each vase...should be in harmony."

Daphne duMaurier, "Rebecca"

The wait will not be much longer.

I promise and...

I hope you have sweet dreams and will not be bothered by weird figures or mathematical problems in the half-lights of the night.

...Judy...

I'm sharing this with these parties:

Home with Rose Chintz Cottage

A Return to Loveliness with A Delightsome Life

Wow Us Wednesday with Savvy Southern Style

What's It Wednesday with Ivy and Elephants

Home Sweet Home with The Charm of Home

Home and Garden Thursday with A Delightsome Life

Be Inspired Fridays with Common Ground

Feathered Nest Friday with French Country Cottage

Show and Tell Friday with My Romantic Home