Victorian Exterior Decoration

Victorian Exterior Decoration provides a foolproof system for choosing the colors that will best suit the particular style of any house.

Shows how to select and apply historically appropriate paint colors that will enhance the beauty and value of an American Victorian house.

Focuses mainly on the details associated with the victorian period in England. Linda Osband uses an even mix of beautiful photographs and detailed sketches to illustrate the many design elements of the period. She includes a list of suppliers in the U.K., USA, Australia, France and Germany for those wishing to restore their current home.

Here is an authoritative look at the way American Victorian houses were decorated in the 19th century, covering all aspects of interior design: floor coverings, woodwork, window treatments and draperies, walls and wallpaper, and ceilings. 225 pictures and drawings; 16-page color insert.

Originally published in 1883, this now-rare book features 20 color plates illustrating directions for mixing primary and secondary colors to achieve olive, russet, citrine, sage, and other mellow tones of the era.

"It is immodestly hoped that this book will encourage the owners of American homes built in the last century to select colors that are historically proper for the age of the structure and to place those colors to emphasize correctly the rich character and detailing intended by the original builders. If readers seek here technical information on paint chemistry or detailed reports on the microanalysis of specific buildings, they will be disappointed. My intention is to provide a practical; handbook for the old-house owner who asks, 'What colors should I paint my house and how should they be applied?'"--Page 7.

Focuses mainly on the details associated with the victorian period in England. Linda Osband uses an even mix of beautiful photographs and detailed sketches to illustrate the many design elements of the period. She includes a list of suppliers in the U.K., USA, Australia, France and Germany for those wishing to restore their current home.

This guide combines historical information with design ideas and advice on how to decorate, renovate and maintain a vintage home.