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The Turkish Room, Far Eastern Flair in Victorian Times

By Mary Beth Temple

Several years ago, I read a short article in a decorating magazine about the Victorian penchant for Turkish Corners, and I was fascinated, they were new to me. The author said that Turkish corners were nooks or small rooms in the European Victorian home that were decorated with an eye towards using design elements from the Far East, which had recently become more open to trade. I couldn’t find any examples of them in the houses that I knew, but I have always kept my eye out.

My interest in the subject was re-awakened recently on a trip to Portland Maine. On the second floor of Victoria Mansion, 109 Danforth Street, is a wonderful example of a Turkish smoking room, complete with the original paint.

One of the complaints of people who are not enamored of Victorian décor is that it is too frou-frou – too many ruffles, flowers, bows. Using the Turkish theme in your Victorian home can give you a way to decorate that is both appealing to the not-fond-of-florals family member, and historically accurate. While exotic fabrics from India and Arabia were popular in Europe as early as the 17th century, British and French solders coming home from service in the Crimean War (1854-1856) seemed to have fueled the trend with the gifts they brought their families, and the tales they had to tell. It was also about this time that smoking became such a popular male pastime that those who had the space were designating smoking areas in their homes 

The Morse-Libby Mansion, as Victoria Mansion was originally known, was built between 1858 and 1860. The mansion, designed by Gustave Herter, is Italianate in style, yet included a Turkish smoking room – indicative that this was the height of fashion at the time. In other homes of the period, the Turkish theme eventually spilled out of the smoking room and invaded the Victorian parlor, where one could impress one’s guests with one’s impeccable taste and excellent connections.

It isn’t difficult to add a Far East flavor to your Victorian home. Choose a smallish area or room to start with - while this style of décor was popular, due to the expense and lack of appropriate furnishings on the market, it was originally doled out in small doses. Since the Turkish corner was an area to relax in, consider comfort as well as design. Start with a chaise lounge or long sofa upholstered in a jewel tone of heavy silk or satin. Continue using rich colors as you pile on the pillows, using large cushions covered with striped or textured fabrics, finished with dripping fringe. When it starts to look like a sultan’s tent set from a 1940s movie, you are heading in the right direction! Paisley shawls used as throws are an excellent addition, and a great use of paisleys that may not be in perfect condition. They can be artfully draped to hide any damage.

Next, consider adding an ottoman or two. Upholstered in sturdy fabric, they can do double duty as seating or low tables. When searching for tables, consider small round ones made of brass, or anything with a mosaic top to blend with the theme.

Window treatments should give the feeling of tent walls – long and straight, with some vertical interest, and enough length for the fabric to pile on the floor to lend to the aura of opulence that you are creating. If the area you are working with doesn’t have a window, don’t let that stop you – use a canopy ring over the main seating piece to give you an area to drape with fabric. You can even hang curtains rods around the top of the whole room and hang them with textiles, to add to that sultan’s tent sort of feeling.

If you decide to add a Turkish corner to your home, remember to have a little fun with it. Victorians didn’t have the internet to do cultural research, they just went with the decorative items that they had that could support their theme. The Turkish room can be less formal than other parts of your home, and should be able to be lived in and enjoyed.  

Thanks for stopping by, drop me an email if you have any questions or comments.