Hints on Household Taste: The Classic Handbook of Victorian Interior Decoration

by Charles L. Eastlake and Charles Locke Eastlake

Book Overview

One of the most important books in the history of 19th century interior design, serving as a basic source on what was proper, beautiful, and efficient for architects, manufacturers, and decorators. Eastlake details furnishings of all types, decorative objects, cupboards, color combinations, carpeting and rugs, wallpaper, and much more. Over 100 illustrations

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0486250466
• ISBN13: 9780486250465
• Release Date: February 1986
• Publisher: Dover Publications
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 0.89 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.4" x 7.9"

Customer Reviews

Beginner's Guide to Victorian Restoration

Restore your old Victorian era home to what it could have been like when it was first built.

A Helpful Overview

We'd bought an Eastlake Victorian which had been restored inside and out. As we desired to furnish appropriate to period (1890), this book was a fine beginner's/general guide to style lines, detail, and what to avoid. Also helpful in choosing furniture pieces, draperies, and objets d'art. No color pictures except the cover, so one might want to purchase another similar book with pictures of restored rooms in similar homes for color guidance, trims, room set-up, etc.

Well-Written but Few Illustrations

Well-written and informative, but did not fill the need I had. I was looking for something with illustrations and the few line drawings included did not help. Still, I rate it four stars, because it was well-written.

Authentic Victorian Decorating as easy as 1-2-3

Moving from a country primitive home to a 1890's Victorian home that needed restoration in every single room, this book was my bible! Charles Eastlake (credited with wonderful Eastlake style)explains how, why and where to do every room from the screens to the windows to the walls to the floors. His simple diagrams and easy to read explanations made restoring much easier. With still a few rooms to finish, the book never leaves my bedside table (which, of course, is Eastlake style!)

Excellent first-gen. guide to Vic interior design thought.

Charles Eastlake, (who is credited, innacurately, with the "Eastlake" style of architecture and furniture design) wrote a serialized guide to interior design concepts and theory. He's very opinionated about the evils of modern (c. 1880-90) architecture. I found this to be an enjoyable read, and got some great ideas about the decoration of several rooms in my 1903 Victorian house.