About 500 bazillion people watched the recent season premiere of Downton Abbey, and I bet a few of you would like to know how you can bring a little Downton Abbey vibe into your own humble abode. In the words of Mr. Carson, “If you are tired of style, you are tired of life.” You may not live in a castle or manor, but these tips will bring you just a little closer to living the life!
1. Paint it Gold
Add metallic gold paint to detail chairs or furnishings, or simply spray paint with metallic gold paint. Instant glamour!
2. Hang Family Portraits
Vintage portraits are a fun collection to own, adding personality to living and dining rooms. They don’t have to be portraits of anyone you know! Look for them in antique shops, at estate sales, and on Ebay.
3. Inject Jewel Tones
Painting one piece of furniture in a beautiful jewel tone adds a little glam to any room. All wood finishes in a room can look drab and dated.
4. Light Some Candles
When was the last time you actually burned a candle at dinnertime? And it doesn’t count if you burned a scented one to cover up the smell of cooked bacon. Pull out some candles (and candlesticks), turn off the lights, and make every dinner a romantic affair.
5. Bring Back the Library
Reading actual books is oh-so-much more fun than reading them through electronic means. And books are beautiful decorating accessories for your home! Don’t forget to inject some personal objects and art to add interest.
Did you watch the premiere? What did you think?
I think I may be the ONLY person in the world who has not seen this show…. :/
WHATTTT??? Oh, Elizabeth, I’m shocked.
No, I haven’t seen it either.
Neither have I 😉
I didn’t get to watch the show because I had a family, full-time job, and was getting a doctorate. Following graduation, I checked out the DVDs from previous seasons from the library and got caught up. Try it, Elizabeth; you’ll love it!
Hi Kristie! My daughter Jenny and I absolutely LOVE Downton Abbey! I gave her the Downton Abbey board game for Christmas.
I love period dramas and period fiction and so does she so we watched the very first episode and every one since at least once. We own seasons 1-3.
I am surprised at Mary being so risque in actually going away with Tony Gillingham. I do wish they would let sleeping/dead dogs/pigs, a.k.a. Mr Greene, lie and not start investigating his murder. As far as I’m concerned he got what he deserved by the hands of whomever.
I wish my husband would agree to incorporating some of the Downton design elements into our decor, but I’m afraid he would say it’s too old fashioned. 🙁
Lynn
I, too, thought Mary’s behavior was UGH. I haven’t seen the board game! Do you watch Call the Midwife? If you can get through the first two episodes (which are a bit intense), it is a wonderful period series. Very well-written and such great character development.
Yes, I love Call the Midwife too! I started watching it about 2 years ago when I was home recupreating after abdominal surgery. Last year I watched it on my Nook while my daughter was in dance. It’s definitely not something my Mr. Man would want to watch, I just watched the 2014 CTW Christmas special yesterday.
I saw the Downton Abbey board game in a catalog I got from PBS before Christmas.
It was wonderful! I can’t wait to watch the next episode! Why are we so intrigued with the British aristocracy?
I suppose it’s the fantasy of it, Carol! I love historical novels about the aristocracy, as well.
I saw a Facebook post about 10 books to read if you love Downton Abbey. I have read two; The Glitter and the Gold about real life American Heiress Consuelo Vanderbilt and An American Heiress which I happened to read first, but after reading The Glitter & the Gold, it is obviously based on the early life of Consuelo Vanderbilt.
Lynn, thanks for sharing those book titles – I’ll definitely check them out!
I don’t know why you would want to light a candle to cover the smell of cooked bacon. That is one of my favorites!
Bacon smells great while it’s cooking, but afterward I can’t wait to get that smell out!
I’m so glad you mentioned lighting candles. I did that big time in the 80s and 90s and sort of have lost that. It’s time to relight!