Living room that has Victorian charm yet feels modern.

Choosing Deep Colours for Period Features

Using deep, rich colours is a great way to highlight the special features of a Victorian home. These colours can make period features stand out and look even more beautiful.

Some good colour choices are:

a. Dusty Green:

This soft, muted green brings a calm and elegant feel to the room. It can make built-in bookcases look timeless and classic.

b. Powder Pink:

A soft pink adds a touch of warmth and charm. It can make a mantel or moulding look delicate and pretty.

c. Deep Purple:

This bold colour adds a sense of luxury and drama. It can make an arched doorway look grand and impressive.

d. Chocolate Brown:

This rich, warm colour adds cosiness and depth. It can make mouldings and mantels look strong and sturdy.

e. Charcoal:

This dark grey adds a modern touch while keeping the room sophisticated. It can make windows and door frames look sleek and stylish.

Using Crisp White Highlights

Using crisp white paint for walls, skirting boards, architraves, and mouldings is very important. The crisp white colour can make your living room look clean and fresh. It also creates a perfect backdrop for the deep colours, making the period features stand out beautifully. The white paint makes these colours pop and enhances the details of the room. For example, if you have a deep purple wall, crisp white mouldings can create a striking contrast that looks elegant and stylish.

Here are some tips for choosing the right shade of white: 

a. Bright White:

This is a pure white colour with no hints of other colours. It works well with all deep colours and gives a very clean and modern look.

b. Warm White:

This white has a slight hint of yellow or beige. It pairs nicely with warmer deep colours like chocolate brown or dusty green, adding a cosy feel.

c. Cool White:

This white has a slight hint of blue or grey. It goes well with cooler deep colours like charcoal or deep purple, creating a crisp and fresh look.

When using crisp white paint, make sure to paint the walls, skirting boards, architraves, and mouldings evenly. This ensures a smooth and clean finish that highlights the beautiful period features in your living room.

Creating a Contemporary Look with White and Deep Colours

a. Pick a Deep Colour:

Using deep colours on the walls adds richness to the room. These colours make the space feel warm and inviting but still modern.

b. Add Crisp White Highlights:

Paint the highlights white. This creates a sharp contrast with deep wall colours and makes the details stand out. For example, if your walls are deep purple, white mouldings will look stylish and modern.

c. Darken the Ceiling:

To make the room feel cosy, especially if you have high ceilings, use a slightly darker shade on the ceiling than on the walls. This makes the space feel more intimate and comfortable. For example, if your walls are dusty green, you could use a darker green on the ceiling. This small change can make a big difference, making the room feel cosier.

Practical Tips for Painting Period Living Rooms

a. Paint Walls First:

Paint the walls with your chosen deep colour. Use a roller for large areas and a brush for edges and corners. Apply two coats for the best coverage, letting each coat dry completely.

b. Paint the White Highlights:

Once the walls are dry, paint the skirting boards, architraves, and mouldings white. Use a small brush for detailed work. Be careful and take your time to avoid mistakes.

c. Paint the Ceiling:

If you are painting the ceiling a slightly >darker shade, do this last. Use a roller with an extension pole for easy reach.

To get clean, crisp lines between colours, use painter’s tape. Apply the tape along the edges where the two colours meet. Press it down firmly to prevent paint from seeping underneath. Paint along the edge of the tape first, then fill in the rest of the area. Once the paint is dry, carefully remove the tape at a 45-degree angle to reveal a sharp line.

By painting period features with rich colours and adding white details, you can create a living room that has Victorian charm yet feels modern.