Victorian

Where it comes from

Nineteenth century British and American town houses.

Victorian remodelling is largely restoration: cornice, ceiling rose, picture rail, panelled doors and deep skirting, usually reinstating what was stripped in the 1970s. The colour palette can then go much darker than most people expect, because the ceiling height carries it.

Lighting

Warm and layered — wall lights at picture-rail height, lamps below, a central fitting used sparingly.

What breaks it

• Bare white walls
• Flat-pack furniture
• Downlights
• Half-hearted colour

Where to spend

Cornice and ceiling height. Restore the plasterwork and the room becomes Victorian; skip it and no colour will.