| Different periods in history reflect very different interior | | | | of cast iron with mantles stuffed to bursting with |
| designs. This article looks at the key characteristics of | | | | ornaments and often fabric draped across. Stairs |
| the most popular dolls house periods from 1714 to the | | | | would have been covered with a central runner, |
| early 1900's and will help to ensure your house looks its | | | | stained either side. Room moulding would have been |
| period best! | | | | plentiful with ceiling roses a must! Fabrics for curtains |
| Georgian Era (1714-1837) | | | | etc would have been highly patterned and very rich. |
| This style focused on harmony and symmetry using | | | | If your passion is for miniatures rather than dolls |
| pale colour schemes and delicate furniture to produce | | | | houses then the Victorian period provides you with the |
| a room that was airy and light. | | | | perfect excuse to cram your house from the floor to |
| Floors were often bare with oriental style rugs | | | | the rafters! |
| although grander houses may have had stone or | | | | Edwardian Era (1901-1910) |
| marble flooring. Walls were panelled but often only | | | | Following on from the Victorian era the Edwardians |
| reaching dado height with the top being papered or | | | | were a breath of fresh air. They favoured a fresh and |
| painted. Wallpaper were made using simple repeat | | | | light interior with lots of feminine influences with wicker, |
| patterns although towards the later half of this period | | | | bamboo and pastel colours being the order of the day. |
| they were also block printed often in stripes or simple | | | | The Wing chair is a typical Edwardian piece. |
| shapes. Furniture was delicate and sofas with a hoop | | | | Edwardians used reproduction furniture (to them!) so |
| back were typical. Fireplaces were the focal point of | | | | many styles can be appropriate. Rooms were |
| the room and should be elegant with basket grates. | | | | designed to be bright and breezy so light fabrics with |
| Pictures were hung in formal groups to flank the | | | | delicate patterns were a must. Electric lighting was on |
| fireplace and other ornaments would have included | | | | its way in during this period and the Edwardians often |
| porcelain, fans and lacquer work. | | | | chose fabric shades with frills and tassels. Fireplaces |
| Victorian Era (1837-1901) | | | | were smaller than their Victorian counterparts with tiled |
| The Victorians used theirs homes as a reflection of | | | | sides. Floors would have been highly polished |
| their status. It was an age of imitation and reproduction | | | | woodblock or red quarry tiles for areas of heavy |
| with many styles influencing interior design from Gothic | | | | traffic. Some of the biggest names from this period |
| to Rococo. For the dolls house enthusiast this means | | | | are Art Nouveau, the Arts and Crafts movement and |
| lots of ornaments, overstuffed chairs and sofas, and | | | | Queen Anne style furniture. |
| patterned wallpapers and carpets. | | | | I will be looking at later periods post 1900 in a future |
| Fireplaces would have been ornate and made mostly | | | | article. |