TABLE OF CONTENTS 

December 2011 . Volume 30, Issue 6 

RESTORATION 

8 Good Wood 
Intricately carved spandrels are right at home with the architectural detail. 
Victorians loved. Learn how to restore and make them yourself.
By Eric Hollenbeck 

32 Holiday Jewel 
Discover how an 1899 Beaux Arts home is restored with the same passion the Victorians had for bold color and furnishings. 
By Esther and Franklin Schmidt 

58 Artistic Interpretation 
Learn how an artist's turn-of-the-century home becomes her. 
personal gallery for showcasing her artwork, and how painting techniques transform a space 
By Melissa Quinlan 

96 Hammer & Nail 
A broken hearth is easier to repair than a broken heart. Here are some quick
fixes you can do when your fireplace becomes unsettled. 
By Dwight Chapel 


DÉCOR 44 A Victorian Christmas in Charleston 
A grand estate in South Carolina provides many inspirations for decorating 
your home elegantly for the holidays. An event planner offers tips on how to
host an authentic Victorian soiree.
By Barbara P. Heddinger 

66 Christmas in the Gilded Age 
You don't need fancy bells and whistles to make a big impact with your 
holiday décor. Just channel the Victorians, whose fetes were fashioned with
nature's bounty
By Bridgett Hurley 


STYLE 

72 Tinsel, Glass & Scraps 
Trim your tree using the same kind of ornaments the Victorians did. Plus, a 
resource guide to companies that sell holiday wares for Victoriana
enthusiasts.
By Gail Giamo

78 Tea & Symphony 
Eliminate the stress of holiday decorating and entertaining by taking a 
simple, but stylish, approach this year
By Hillary Black 

84 The Bejeweled Tree 
Take a page from a Dickens novel by trimming your home with 
Victorian-style decorations.
By Hillary Black 


HISTORY 

12 Silver Service 
Gleaming like jewels on your dinner table, sterling-silver centerpieces and 
tableware from the Victorian era set the tone for an elegant evening and
make hot collectibles, too
By Satenig St.Marie

16 Greetings from the 19th Century 
The Victorians' holiday cards were as finely crafted as their homes. Seeing  
these period gems will put you in the spirit of the season. Also, tips on how to
make them yourself!
By Barbara Johnson, ph.d. 

28 Santas that Break the Mold 
Collectible, functional art, vintage chocolate molds are as sweet as the 
confections that were created with them.
By Wendy Mullen 

IN EVERY ISSUE 

4 From the Editor 
6 Mailbox 
90 Spectator 
93 Victorian Town Square 
94 Dealer Directory, Sources 


DO IT YOURSELF! 

18 Tips for collecting Victorian cards. 
19 Make your own Victorian holiday cards. 
29 Maintain your vintage chocolate molds. 
30 How to collect vintage chocolate molds. 
48 Prepare a party-planning checklist. 
57 Build a topiary. 
68 Prepare a holiday menu. 
69 A Victorian decorator's toolkit.
75 Make a Victorian-style tree.
76 Create an old-fashioned Christmas.
80 Ideas for entertaining with ease.
96 Tips for repairing hearth tiles.