Those with a keen sense of nostalgia may wish to use authentic colours in their home which are sensitive to the properties history. While it is important to consider the features of your house and the date it was built, that does not mean you must pressurize yourself into choosing only colours that you deem historically correct.
It would be a mistake to treat our homes as archaeological sites, painstakingly re-creating original colour schemes from the past. Remember, homes are to be lived in and enjoyed, in the present and regardless of when they were built. While it is nice to respect colours of the past, and those which are sympathetic to the history of the property, do not be a slave to them. Often, historically accurate
palettes lead to dreary and oppressive spaces.
Over the years, people have become more and more adventurous with colour, which is something to be embraced. The House of Theobald colour range provide perfect interpretations of true period colours which seem both timeless and contemporary dependant upon how they are used. The following pages give a broad outline of the type of colours used in the four main decorative periods:
Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian & Art-Deco & Mid Century
Georgian
The Georgian period if often referred to as the age of elegance. During this time the rooms of the well-to-do were usually of the most exacting proportions, giving ample wall space to be painted in a carefully balanced range of colours that capture the signature style of the period. Decoration at this time was a major indication of wealth and status, meaning decorative plasterwork and panelling was prevalent in homes during the Georgian age.
Paint became particularly important with the use of cheap and versatile softwood in the home, though was not durable, and therefore needed to be painted. Iron and red oxides were the cheapest and most commonly used pigments in the era, though the regency period introduced lighter colours such as dusky pinks, soft greys and cleaner green and blues, as well as strong yellows.
Victorian
Victorian interior design ideas were the result of the era being one of great change. During this time, homes were upgraded quickly due to mass production. As a result, decoration during this period had a somewhat heavy and cluttered aesthetic, made more-so by the use of dark brown painted woodwork of which was beloved by the Victorians.
At the start of the Victorian period, lighter warm tones were still fashionable, alongside iridescent whites. That said, darker tones of red remained popular in more masculine dining rooms and libraries, and were often paired with warm white tones on the ornate plasterwork, creating rich and sumptuous interiors.
As time progressed these colours were superseded by a palette including much stronger, cleaner colours, such as crisp blues, rich greens and strong yellows. By the end of the 19th century, colours were once again softer and more muted.
Edwardian
After the heaviness, darkness and clutter of the Victorian era, Edwardian style came as a breath of fresh air. People wanted to achieve less formal interior decoration, and therefore rails and panelling began to disappear from homes. There were also fewer but larger rooms, with increased natural light and a transition to simpler, more paired-down colour schemes and approaches to decoration.
Pastel blues, fresh greens, and pinks were all used to create a greater sense of space, as well as simple creams. In dining rooms, however, richer hues were used and architectural details were still highlighted in strong colours.
Elsewhere, woodwork, cornices and ceilings were painted white to promote the light, uncomplicated feel that was popularised during this post-Victorian era.
Art-Deco & Mid Century
Art-Deco interior design originated in Europe, and by the end of World War 1 it was the leading the decorative style. This style was notably characterised by rich colours, bold geometric shapes and lavish ornamentation.
The most popularly used colours were strong and un-compromising. Colours such as black, black-blue, strong yellows and clean reds were typical of the time, and were often combined with grey woodwork which emphasised the angular shapes of this era.
By the mid-century, interior decoration had become even more so crisp and uncluttered. Creams and neutrals accompanied vibrant greens, while saturated blue-greens and deep yellows became staple colours typical of the time. These were often paired with deep tones of brown to give the illusion of architectural detail in what would otherwise plain rooms.
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