The Berry Manor Inn in Rockland, Maine, was built in 1898 at the height of the Victorian era as a wedding gift from merchant Charles H. Berry to his wife. Today this “painted lady” is one of the most charming Victorian inns in Midcoast Maine, particularly when the holiday season rolls around.
Cheryl Michaelsen, the inn’s owner, has spent considerable time researching Victorian Christmas decorations and traditions, and holiday season guests at the Berry Manor Inn have the opportunity to see and experience a Victorian-style Christmas celebration. If you want to add a touch of Victorian elegance to your own Christmas decor this year, Michaelsen offers these five decorating tips:
DIY Victorian Christmas Decorating Ideas
1. Cover the top of a ledge with green branches. Group and arrange pineapples, oranges, apples, pomegranates, and berries or grapes to create a beautiful color. Use Styrofoam boxes or blocks (hidden by vegetation) to organize fruits at different heights. Embellish the arrangement with pearls, tassels, and ribbons.
2. Set up a grouping of five to seven pillar candles of the same color in different blocks of wood at different heights on a ledge. Wrap the greens around it and weave white lights into all the greens. Concentrate the lights around the candles to create a glow of light. This is particularly attractive if you have a mirrored mantle or if you place an antique mirror on the mantle behind the candles.
3. A simple and beautiful mantel arrangement can be created by displaying gold-sprinkled pine cones in the greens with white highlights mixed throughout. For a monochrome display, add lamay gold ribbon on top with loops and assorted sauces, or place several golden cherubs in the middle of the greens. For a burst of color, add a grouping of red cardinals, peacock feathers, or a dew of silk roses to one side of the cloak.
4. Create a beautiful Victorian Christmas tree with pearl garlands, silk roses, feathered birds, and clip-on candles. Burgundy, pink and cream colors should predominate.
5. Don’t forget to dress the front staircase in Victorian splendor, as this is often one of the first things vacation guests see. It is the perfect setting for a luxurious display of greenery, garlands, wide burgundy ribbons, ornaments and other Christmas decorations.
Compare prices on Victorian Christmas decorations
Looking for more Victorian Christmas inspiration in New England?
- Experience a Victorian Christmas at Hildene, Robert Todd Lincoln’s former home in Manchester, Vermont.
- Go back in time and see vintage decorations during a Victorian Christmas at Roseland Cottage in Woodstock, Connecticut.
