Victorian Modern

Victorian Modern: A Design Bible for the Victorian Home
Author: Jo Leevers
IBSN: 9780500024041

The definitive guide to Victorian home design, exploring period features and 19th-century aesthetics within a contemporary context, and showcasing innovative adaptations by today’s designers.

With a significant portion of the UK population residing in Victorian homes, the challenge of styling and modernizing these 19th-century properties remains perennially relevant. While platforms like Pinterest, Instagram, and magazines offer fleeting inspirations for Victorian home decor, "Victorian Modern" goes deeper, providing comprehensive insights into the historical reasons behind Victorian architecture and design. It also delves into how modern designers are creatively revitalizing these homes, blending period charm with contemporary functionality.

Organized into seven thematic chapters reflecting various aspects of domestic life—dining, cooking, entertaining, sleeping, bathing, working, and transitional spaces like hallways, boot rooms, and garden rooms—the book examines Victorian design principles and their reinterpretations in today's interiors. Each section not only offers practical decorating tips but also educates readers on the origins of Victorian architectural elements.

Drawing on the expertise of interior designers, architects, and stylists, "Victorian Modern" juxtaposes cultural context with real-life examples, demonstrating how nineteenth-century home design continues to shape and enrich modern lifestyles and interior aesthetics in innovative and inspiring ways.

About the Authors
Jo Leevers is a writer, editor, and stylist whose work appears regularly in Living etc, Elle Decoration, World of Interiors, Stella, Homes & Gardens, the Telegraph, Guardian, and Observer. She is also the author of "Global Style."

Rachael Smith, a photographer mentored by Mark Power, has been recognized with the Nagoya Award for artistic achievement. Her photography is featured prominently in World of Interiors, House & Garden, Elle Decoration, Homes & Gardens, and numerous international magazines, including several interior design publications such as "The House of Glam.