Interior Design Trends For 2012 - Victoriana

In our second entry on design trends for 2012 we look at Victoriana. Family life revolved around the fireplace, hot water would come from the stove, almost all heat came exclusively from the fireplace with the Cast Iron "Victorian" radiator not becoming commonplace until the very late 19th Century.
No Victorian style living room would be complete without the traditional fireplace, so in this entry we shall suggest some of the very best ideas to complete that Victoriana finish. Forget the over-furnished rooms and heavy drapes. While traditional and would give the Victorian finish, they are a little bit over the top for our liking.
Our first suggestion is part of the Premier range from Cast Tec, The Cast Tec Dublin Cast Iron Insert with  the Harton Cast Iron Surround. The traditional Victorian finish is displayed in the quality antique finish and complements the matt black and highlight polished areas of the Harton fireplace surround.
Available with either gas, electric or solid fuel means this fire is suitable for anyone, whether you have a chimney or not:

• Gas fire with a maximum heat input of 6.9kW with natural gas as standard and is suitable for class 1 or 2 flues
• Electric fire that comes with two heat settings of 900W & 1800W which is controlled by a remote control as standard, top venting fire with LED effect and adjustable height
• Solid fuel kit which comes complete with fret, ashpan, grate and operating tool. Capable of burning wood peat, and other smokeless fuels

The Dublin & Harton could be used just to give that Victorian highlight and a focal point, or, as pictured in conjunction with other furniture in the room to create a stunning theme that can be the basis for a beautiful home.

Our next suggestion is another cast-iron combination, This time from Carron. The Lambourn Cast-Iron Combination features traditional Victorian styling, that just like the Cast Tec Dublin would create an ideal talking point in any room. The detailing on the mantle and the canopy both add to the effect, while the choice of solid fuel, natural gas or LPG mean that you can have that stunning center-piece, while the choice of tiles means that you can cater the apperaance to your existing decor.

Both of the above fireplaces would create that a stunning Victorian feel to any room, rarely was any piece of furniture not adorned with accessories, pieces were carefully positioned for maximum impact.  Pick lighting, throws and cushions with needlepoint detailing, lampshades with intricate patterns; mini statuettes and even faux stuffed animals to complete that Victoriana look.

Carron Cast Iron Combinations

British manufacturers Carron have released a fantastic range of solid cast iron combinations with various traditional design and finishes to complement any home. The combinations are complete with surround and fire making it a lot easier to purchase and to also install. The fires that have been supplied by Carron provide you with a number of options such as Natural gas, LPG or a solid fuel option.

The intricate styling on these combinations is what sets them apart from any other combination on the market. The designs are taken from a wide range of styles such as art nouveau, late Victorian and gothic styling.

The Carron Toulouse is one of the most detailed combinations that Carron offers because of the spectacular flower patterns through the surround and the hood of the fire. These design set the Toulouse apart from any of the other combination design. Along with the choice of fire you can also select tiles to go with this combination to complement the room, these tiles can also be switched when redecorating or just fancying a change.

One of the more unique combinations is the Carron Classic which features a large hood with art nouveau styling throughout the combination. The Classic comes as standard with a more modern full polish finish that looks great in any surrounding. With the traditional art nouveau design the Classic comes with a choice of either a natural gas, LPG or a solid fuel fire and also a choice of black granite hearth size. The gas fires that are available are all suitable for class 1 & 2 chimneys or flues and have an input of 6 kW but are mainly used for decorative purposes only.

Because of Carron’s traditional techniques and quality materials the combinations that are available are amongst the finest offered in the UK.