The Luxury Of The Victorian Kitchen Through The Years

By Author: Jo Alelsto
Total Articles: 405
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Most people mistake Victorian for an architectural style, however, the truth is that it is an important era in world history. A period which lasted from the mid-1800's to the early quarter of the 1900's, the high point of the Industrial Revolution. This period in world history have had a great impact on the way people lived. Inventions, novel technology, and fresh ideas were sprouting every day during this time. House appliances and utensils as well as the architectural styles have gone a long way from what they were just at the start of the century.

The most prominent of the Victorian kitchen implements was the cooking range which can either be in open or closed types. The first ever stove was made by Benjamin Thompson and it was called Rumford stove. This stove used one fire for heating and cooking several pots hanging over the fire through several openings on top of the stove. Meanwhile, the Obelin stove was introduced in the US which used the same technique but modified for domestic use. These stoves use wood and coal for fuel and it was not until the end of the 19th century that gas was used. In the 1930's, ...
... electrical stoves were sold commercially.

It was also during the Victorian era that silverware was a household item, used for making kitchen utensils. It is a common sight inside the Victorian kitchen to find a silver jug or jar, or a set of fine dining items. Along with silverware, food molds are also a hot item in the Victorian kitchen. These are mainly used for baking and making other treats such as puddings and gelatins. Dish wares made of porcelain and clay were also mainstays in the kitchen. As a matter of fact, they serve as a status symbol of the era. Earthen wares with intricate designs and the signature blue-white combination are suggestive of one's societal position. The kitchen was strictly a servant-only area for upper class families during this time.

During the advancement of the 19th century, more and more amenities were added to the Victorian kitchen. One after the other, sewer pipes, water pumps, sinks and drains made their way into the kitchen. New kitchen implements were also invented such as the can opener, the cork shaper, and the corkscrew.

If you want to recapture the Victorian look and feel in your kitchen, the best way to that is to have a bespoke kitchen. That way, you can customize every detail of your kitchen. Since you know that silver ware and porcelain and clay dishes are significant aspects of the Victorian era, you can add them into your kitchen entourage. The floor should be wooden though you can also use ceramic and marble tiles instead. Today's kitchen is the center of many a family's activity therefore you can put rugs or carpet on the floor rather than just leave the wood to wear.

A painted kitchen that will suggest a Victorian look should be done in light colors or shades. If you are uncertain about mixing and matching colors, you can always contract a professional to do it for you. Most color schemes used in the Victorian homes are neutral colors, shades of purple and rose, and bold colors.

A bespoke kitchen done reminiscent of the Victorian era is not that difficult. You can always add your own touch to give your personality. Moreover, there are many architectural works around the world that serve as examples of the elegant style of that period of history. The works born of that era continue to inspire a lot of people.
Jo is a writer for ‘Benchmark Interiors' (http://www.designer-bespoke-kitchens.co.uk), a UK kitchen furniture firm that focuses in bespoke handmade kitchens, bedroom and home office furniture development and build. If you are keen on creating a Victorian kitchen and would like it to be austere yet efficient or just would like to know about bespoke kitchens design then you should have a look at Benchmark Interiors.