The parlour was a Victorian room that is totally irrelevant to today’s homes—or is it? To understand how this room evolved into today’s living room, one has to go back at least 100 years.

At that time, the parlour was a room strictly reserved for visitors, but only if they had been invited into the home. Callers who arrived at a private home (especially of the wealthy) presented their card. If it was the master or mistress’s pleasure, the caller was invited into the parlour, to wait for the arrival of his or her host or hostess.

The visitor was given ample time to admire all the accoutrements of the home owner’s wealth and social standing, his intelligence, devotion to family and religion, and acceptance of new and modern ideas—all demonstrated without a single word being spoken. In Victorian times, every object in the parlour sought to impress and convey strict ideals. Each object was chosen for maximum impact.

At the end of the 19^th century, the parlour was the most lavishly appointed room in the house. Separated as it was from other rooms by a long hallway, it symbolized the public persona of its inhabitants. Opulence reigned. Hardwood parquet floors covered with oriental rugs, ornate plaster and carved wood millwork, and gilt cornice boxes created a sumptuous envelope. Window treatments included layers of heavy velvets, brocades, and laces trimmed with yards of tassels and fringe. Furniture suites were arranged into various conversation groupings, each anchored by a centre parlour table. Fancy wicker étagères, chairs, and occasional tables added an exotic touch as did a profusion of plants—palm trees and ferns being the favourites. Framed art and photographs, crystal-studded hand-painted lamps, urns, figurines, and art glass sparkled in the low light.

In the parlour, young ladies of the household received gentlemen callers—under the watchful eye of a chaperone, of course. A second room or back parlour was set aside for private family gatherings. Often the front and back parlours were simply one long room divided by a sliding door. The back parlour was the precursor to today’s family room. It contained musical instruments, games, books, stereo viewers, stationery and a desk for writing letters, photo albums, scrapbooks, and autograph books—all for the family’s entertainment.

The 20^th century brought with it a change. The front and back parlours were combined to create one larger, more open room that was not physically separated from the rest of the house. The Arts and Crafts style influenced design, and the interior décor became simpler. Wood beam ceilings replaced plaster, and simple ceiling medallions framed the new electric fixtures. Stained glass windows became very popular as they afforded privacy while admitting light into the room. Simple lace sheers with fabric side panels replaced heavy drapery. Hardwood floors still prevailed, as did oriental rugs, but rag rugs and needlepoint rugs became popular, as well.

Although the “living room” as it was now called became more accessible to family members, it has still retained its position as the “best room” in most homes. Many readers may recall going into homes where plastic sheeting covered the furniture and lamp shades in order to protect them against daily use.

Family rooms today tend to be an extension of the kitchen and do not impress the way a living room still does. The simple acts of cooking and cleaning create a casual feeling that may not always be appropriate to all circumstances. More than 100 years later, the concept of a parlour creating a public persona while keeping more casual rooms private is an idea that just won't go away!

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