Victorian Lifestyle: The Rules of Mourning Fashion

If you’ve seen BBC’s 2001 miniseries Victoria and Albert, their 1975 miniseries Edward the King, or GK Films’ 2009 film The Young Victoria, you have an idea about how ritually complex the business of mourning was in 19th century Britain and America. Following the death of Prince Albert in 1861, Queen Victoria mourned him for 40 years until her own death—and her own subjects followed suit. The rituals and complexities of mourning dress in England went through all levels of society; widows were expected to adhere tightly to mourning fashion and social constraints.

Mourning clothing of the upper class showed a woman’s wealth and respectability. Though the cost of a mourning wardrobe was of no consequence for the socially elite, women of the middle and lower classes had to struggle to appear fashionable. To adhere to the all-black rule, they would dye their clothing black for the mourning period of twelve months, then bleach them white after the year had ended.

Believe it or not, that mourning period could last even longer, with clearly defined stages that could drag out for more than two years! For the first year, she was in full mourning and as such would wear dull-surface black clothing, such as the dress I have included above. A weeping veil made of black crepe was an essential part of this ensemble. During the first year of mourning, a widow’s activities were also restricted, and she was only to go out of her home to attend religious services.

After the first year, a widow entered second mourning, which lasted another full year. During this time, a veil no longer had to cover the face, and the black clothing could be trimmed in lace and ribbon. The final stage, half mourning, lasted from three to six months. Color was introduced into clothing and jewelry. Acceptable colors included burgundy, gray (hardly a color, right?), lavender, mauve and purple, as seen in the dress above.

In Victorian England, these mourning rituals stayed firmly in place until Queen Victoria’s passing. With the introduction of the Edwardian era, fashion and societal rules about mourning were greatly eased. Then World War I forever changed a woman’s role in British society; ironically, while women across the world grieved together for husbands and sons who died on the front, the social requirement for women to publically display their grief vanished.

Today, the tenants of Victorian mourning are often viewed as harsh and impractical. Once an integral part of life in the 19th century, mourning clothing is now highly sought after by collectors and museums.

Pure And Simple: How Houseplants Can Be Stylish And Healthy

Sure, that Boston fern softens the corner of the living space, but did you know that it is also purifying your air, ridding it of common household toxins?

While it is true that having and tending to plants in the home can soothe the senses and lift the spirits, there is scientific evidence that indoor plants have a positive physical impact on their immediate environments. These benefits include purifying the air, adding necessary humidity and boosting oxygen levels.

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A study performed by the University of Agriculture in Norway concluded that indoor houseplants improved the health of human inhabitants by increasing moisture levels in the home and decreasing dust. Study participants reported 30 percent fewer incidences of coughing, sore throats, fatigue and other cold-like symptoms.

Indoor air pollution and toxins are introduced into the home from a variety of sources, including cleaning products, paint and even furniture. Formaldehyde is a common byproduct of furniture, cabinetry and building materials, particularly in particle boards, pressed wood and paper products, and is released into the household air. It can be found in virtually all water replants and fire retardants, and there are also natural sources, such as natural gas and kerosene. Benzene, another known carcinogen, is used in the production of some rubbers and plastics. Philodendrons and peace lilies are two varieties of indoor plants that are particularly effective at siphoning those chemicals out of the air and producing clean oxygen.

A good rule of thumb to follow for maximum effect is to have one houseplant per 100 square feet. Consider varying placement as well, using some as hanging plants by windows and others at table or counter level—this ensures good even coverage. Plants absorb carbon dioxide and pollutants through their leaves so be sure to keep them clean and free of dust.

How To Winterize Your Summer Cottage ?

Follow these helpful tips to make a summer getaway house cozy all year long.

Cottages And Bungalows

1. STORAGE: Focus on key needs like storage. When considering a remodel, look for opportunities to enlarge or increase your storage space. Taking the time in early stages to strategize where closets and shelving can be added will serve your needs better in the long run.
2. INSULATION: Budget for insulation; it’s always money well spent. If you’re able to splurge in areas like new windows, prioritize investments that will add to the efficiency and the livability of your home over the decorative ones.
3. FLOOR PLAN: Be open-minded toward the floor plan. If you’re seeking a balance between comfort and efficiency while still maintaining the original cottage feel, try to view every architectural plan or change to the layout through this lens.
4. STAY TRUE TO YOUR HOME: Think about the things you truly love that drew you to the house in the first place and try to preserve them whenever possible. If it’s in the view, then make sure you don’t move a wall that will obstruct it.
5. NATURAL COLORS: Fill your cottage with a nature-inspired color palette; deeper hues reflect autumn and the seasonal changes you’ll see from your windows, while light, creamy shades create an airy, open feel.

Dare To Color - Home Designs

Lacking a little color courage?
Selecting bold colors for your home decor is not as intimidating as it seems. With these tips, you can make a vibrant change to your home color scheme easily.

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1) There’s room for a pop of color in every home decorating style. French provincial, early American, industrial chic. Bright bold color isn’t just a modern motif. Injecting traditional decor with vibrant shades shakes things up in the best way.

2) Rich shades can work in small rooms. While it’s true that lighter colors create an airier feeling, dark colors don’t necessarily make a room feel smaller. Use subdued dark tones to create a soft cozy space. These colors are also great at camouflaging awkward architecture, making the walls recede away and adding warmth.

3) You can mix color intensities. Going bold doesn’t mean having to go all the way. Pair a pastel mint with a zesty lime green in the same room—the colors match, balance each other out and add explosive interest.



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4)  You can have two bold colors in one space. Painting an accent wall or opting for an accent piece of furniture are both great first steps. But try combining the two. As long as both shades compliment each other (think lemon yellow and bright turquoise) and each is used sparingly and equally, the space will feel fresh and dynamic.

5) Daring color and vivid pattern can coexist. Fun patterns don’t always have to be tamed by neutrals. When combined, the color and pattern can serve as a room’s primary artistic statement.

Collectibles Spotlight: Carnival Glass

What was once considered a second-rate offering becomes one of today’s top collectibles.
When the Fenton Art Glass Company started producing their Iridill glass collection circa 1908, they expected a wave of interest from consumers.  Iridill was an eye-catching style for sure with its iridescent finish over jewel-tone pressed glass. The makers hoped to entice collectors of Tiffany and Steuben glass who were drawn to the shiny textural finishes. However, the consumer rush never materialized and the line was dubbed a dud, discounted and shipped off to secondary sellers.
It wasn’t until the large quantities of Iridill, now considered cheap and plentiful, began being used as carnival prizes that they became widely beloved, and dubbed Carnival Glass.

• The iridescent finish on Carnival Glass is created by applying metallic salts to the hot surface of the newly pressed glass. A second firing then distributes and amplifies the iridescent qualities.

• Pieces with heavy, even iridescences are valued higher than those with weak silvery finishes.

• Fenton and Northwood were two prolific manufacturers of Carnival Glass. However, manufacturers, including the aforementioned, often didn’t include markings, and today it does not affect the value of the piece.

• The color of Carnival Glass is determined by the glass color, not the iridescence color. Marigold (pictured in the darker shade, pumpkin, and the standard pastel) was the first and most popular early color. It was created by spraying an orange finish on clear glass. To help determine the glass color, check the bottom, or footing, of the piece to find an unfired section. This is also a good indication of original 1920s-1930s Carnival Glass, as the bottoms were never iridized.

• While eBay is the most accessible way to search for Carnival glass, it’s often better to find venues where you can examine a piece in person.  Because of its iridescence, Carnival Glass is hard to photograph, and it’s difficult to assess the true condition, color and finish without seeing the item in person.  Of course, there are accredited sources online such as Carnival Glass authority David Doty’s site ddoty.com. For a comprehensive list of Carnival Glass auctions and conventions where you can find trusted dealers, visit the International Carnival Glass Association Web site at international carnival glass.com.