Victorian in the Modern Tract Home

Feature old photos. We discovered that copying old photos, yellowing and all, is a matter of a few dollars for a small photo. (Restoration costs more.) Consider featuring old family photos on a stairway wall, or in one of the nooks or short diagonal walls that are so common in newer homes. Or try collecting old photos of a specific subject -- say, formal wedding photos, or photos of store interiors. Grouped together in similar frames, these collections add visual interest in spaces where furniture won't fit.

Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize. One of the pluses of a modern house is that it provides a plain backdrop for stunning accessories. And since modern interiors usually aren't as serious in feel as the interiors of restored Victorian houses, you can choose accessories that are both light-hearted and dramatic: an ornate bird cage in a corner of the den, an iron garden seat in the family room, a wooden toy on the coffee table. If you rely on bulky modern seating, choose a few attention-getting accessories rather than scattering a collection of tiny items. Miniatures, lace, and frivolous bric-a-brac work best with smaller-scale furniture.

Modern houses aren't for everyone -- many of us would be miserable without our genuine Victorian houses, cornice molding, cracking plaster, and all. But, with a sense of humor, a careful eye, and smart choices of dramatic focal points, it's possible to create Victorian ambience in a modern shell.

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