One of our favorite styles is the "Mod Victorian" look characterized by bringing together two seemingly disparate ideas: the opulence of Victorian design and the minimalist tendencies of modernism. French furniture maker Ligne Roset does a great job of pulling off this look in their roomsets. Click below to see how they do it:
The high ceilings and amount of natural light in this room provide the perfect environment for modern, low-slung furniture which is designed to open up space. Photo: Facet Sofa.
Painted in a netural color, the molding on the walls becomes a sculptural detail rather than a distracting feature. Photo: Sketch Sofa.
In a room with so many extravagant architectural details, a simple table provides nice contrast and gives the floors and walls a sense of weight and presence. Photo: Extensia Table.
Large windows and a great view look good with just about any style. Photo: Anna Bed.
By placing a curved desk and round rug in the center of the room, the furniture takes on a sculptural quality that mimics the formality of the room. Photo: Hyannis Port Desk.
This photo is a great study in contrasts: black and white, clean-lined and ornate. Photo: Playtime Dresser.
For more from Ligne Roset, click here.
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I live in a victorian and I'm always interested in ways to marry victorian and modern aesthetics. So far it's worked out for us, but it seems pretty easy to get wrong.
view littlebrownpen's profile
My theory is that you can mix periods as long as the components are the same quality -- i.e. a spectacular 19th century interior with top-of-the-line Ligne Roset works. But I don't think Ikea would work here. Nor would the Ligne Roset work in, say, a standard-issue 1920s row house (without renovations).
view Lisa Hunter (Montreal)'s profile
but really they're just putting modern furniture in a victorian room.
view kdkaboom's profile
I like the mix, especially the bed.
view madampince's profile
I hope anyone who buys a Brownstone and plans to demolish all interior traces of history to make it "modern" sees these images.
The Brits (and the French) have been doing this "new card in an old envleope" forever.
view patrick (the other one)'s profile
I own a Ligne Roset side chair/rocker w/ ottoman, and it's a wonderful piece. Also have a great side table that telescopes to whatever height you need. Both have held up extremely well over the years. Wish I could afford some of their 'larger' items for I think they make really great stuff (though some is just a bit *too* abstract for my taste).
view tdominey's profile
ooooooo my goodness, i love victorian design. i love the decadence. and then again, i love the mid-century danish stuff too. and anything bauhaus inspired.
i really, really, really hope to find an apartment that marries victorian with modern safety/functionality, and has been kept up well.
view indiasoup's profile
Victorian and Edwardian interiors look great with Modern stuff, just as they looked great with Industrial stuff.
I think it's the level of craftsmanship and the utter familiarity we have with the style cues of Victorian architecture. They allow it to 'just work' with settings opposite from the decor that originally filled the rooms, which involved cramming as much ornate frilly crap in there as they would hold.
view neutopian's profile
Um... this style is great if you live in a Baroque palace...
Seriously, I love mixing pieces and periods, but you've got to have stellar pieces in a stellar environment (see above photos) or else it ends up looking like Ikea threw up in a Queen Anne.
view Modfan's profile