Tuesday, April 9, 2013

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:




















27 comments:

  1. Wow what a beautiful bedroom. I love it! Many thanks for sharing it.
    Have a wonderful week and I hope that Spring has come your way.
    Mary

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  2. I love the vanity, and the hand lamps on the vanity are so fun and beautiful. The bed is very much like one I have here. It definitely is romantic!

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  3. Judy,
    Love, love, love this post!! Your bedroom is pure Victorian delight and made my heart sing!! Beautiful!! Filled with so many pretty pieces!! Thanks so much for sharing!!

    Hugs,
    Debbie

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  4. What a pretty post. It is all just beautiful and speaks of a softer, gentler time- xo Diana

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  5. I so much enjoyed reading and seeing your pretty rooms. I love the bedspread and the wreath you have hanging above the bed.
    I think not painting the furniture was a good choice, your pieces are so nice in their natural color. Mom always said that we couldn't sleep with a draft hitting our bed or we would catch cold.
    The homes in the very old days were drafty and not as air tight as today and I think that kept the air flowing and cleaner in the house. So many good ideas here to be add and good information.

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  6. I meant to say "good ideas to be had" not add.

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  7. Its looking lovely Judy,
    Ever since you came into the world of blogging.. i loved your little victorian cottage. The lovely stories you tell us about your secret garden, and all the nice ideas that you do .. Its inspiring. So very victorian.
    Waiting for the other wall.
    I myself, would leave your furniture... its beautiful.
    happy week Judy..
    val x

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  8. What a beautifully decorated guest room! I love it and it reminds my of my grandmother's house or my great-aunt's. Some of the ideas from the Victorian era are quite funny and some very sensible. Interesting that different writers believed in the opposite things, like fireplaces. And I sure wouldn't want mathematical problems to show up in my wall paper! I wouldn't paint the furniture. It is so beautiful as it is. Great post Judy!

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  9. Oh who wouldn't love to be a guest in this beautiful room! I love the furniture unpainted. To me it suits the room. : ) Angela

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  10. Hi Judy,

    Your cottage guest bedroom is just charming! I love your Stargazer Lilies, and the little glass table. I also love the iron bed and your pretty, pretty pillows. I enjoyed the historical quotes from old books -- those are always so interesting to read. I'm looking forward to seeing what you've done with the fourth wall.

    Have a great day!

    Denise at Forest Manor

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  11. Wow, Judy, I love it. I could just imagine myself climbing into your gorgeously cosy guest bed and having the best nights sleep ever. You have a way with words and home styling!

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  12. Judy, I could live happily in your gorgeous guest room forever! So very romantic with every attention to detail being taken. What guest wouldn't feel pampered? Thanks for taking us on a tour.
    Hugs,
    Patti

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  13. Hi Judy! Oh, that is one beautiful bedroom. I love all of your sweet touches. Thank you so much for popping in to see me and your sweet words.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  14. Charming bedroom. Loved all your great photos, too. Susan

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  15. Beautiful Mom!!! Can't wait to see the finished 4th wall!! I know the Captain has been working hard on it, and it will be well worth the wait. LOVE YOU!! Tami :)

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  16. I think i could have some lovely sweet dreams in your beautifully furnished bedroom. Just found you blog i am now going to follow you ....xx

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  17. Hi Judy,
    Your bed chamber is so charming and welcoming! Love the wallpaper! I noticed your little corner shelf with a little dome of some sort? Cute! I have a couple of corner shelves in my parlor. Love all your sweet little touches. Thanks for sharing and please don't paint the furniture! :) Gina

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  18. Hi Judy,
    Your bedroom is gorgeous. Every detail is beautiful. The wallpaper is so pretty and everything just works together so nicely. What a dream room.
    Wishing you a special day.
    Hugs, CM

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  19. Oh, it's perfect! I love the hand lamp and bed covering and well everything! What a great guest room, I could snuggle right in there!

    Carol

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  20. What a charming room, Judy! I love the linens and the wreath. The lamp is so pretty too. A lovely guest room. I had to laugh about one being bothered by mathematical problems! My son would have it no other way; he eats and sleeps Math and always has. He's a Math professor. *Smiles*
    Thanks for sharing at my HOME and have a lovely weekend. I really enjoyed seeing your beautiful room.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  21. Hi Judy! this is the most cozy and darling room! I love all the linens and laces. So funny that you ended with that quote, because it certainly stuck out for me too! Haha! SO many wonderful touches!

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  22. Your guest room is gorgeous! So warm and cozy. Love those stargazer lilies. Also an amazing display of pillows. So perfect for your home. Mimi

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  23. hello
    voila un lit et une chambre comme je les aime
    comme il doit être bon d'y faire de doux rêves
    j' aime beaucoup le coeur et les petits cadres
    une touche Victorienne que j' apprécie
    bonne fin de semaine
    tendresse
    edith (iris)

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  24. Such a lovely bedroom! Your guests will enjoy their stay :) Autumn greetings from Australia♥ ~Pernilla

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  25. So pretty Judy~very victorian and charming bedroom!! Thank you for linking up at Feathered Nest Friday!

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  26. Such a lovely and romantic space Judy. You have created a wonderdful and cozy retreat. It reminds me so much of the elegant B & B's in Cape May, New Jersey. I love all the attention to detail and the little history lesson on boudoirs. Thank you for visiting me.

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  27. You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this topic to be really something which I think I would never understand.
    Wallpapers

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Your comments are so special to me...Judy