Tips & Inspiration for a Moody, Old-World Victorian Christmas Look
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Deep, rich tones, velvet trimmings, vintage brass accents, lush greenery, and antique leather books—these are the elements that set the stage for an elegant, Victorian-inspired Christmas.
I’ve always been drawn to antique and vintage interiors, and I believe the most inviting homes are created slowly, layer by layer, with pieces that hold meaning.
That same approach guides the way I decorate for the holidays, layering details that feel timeless, collected, and full of character.
This year, my goal was to create a Victorian-inspired Christmas look that felt bold and elevated, while staying true to the old-world, vintage style interiors Zach and I both love.
Inspiration Behind The Look.
Inspiration for my projects comes from many different places, and what can I say—when you know, you know!
As I started planning my holiday decorating this year, I kept coming back to two beloved vintage pieces that I had sourced early in the season—a white porcelain tea-light cathedral and a Victorian-inspired snow globe.
The porcelain cathedral was one of those pieces I simply couldn’t leave behind. I was so drawn to its nostalgic charm and timeless silhouette. Once lit, it casts the most enchanting glow, filling the room with warmth and ambiance. It’s become a cherished piece and perfectly complements the Victorian-inspired holiday aesthetic I envisioned.
The snow globe was another special find. Zach can attest to the fact that I’ve been searching for the perfect Christmas snow globe for years, literally. When I finally came across this one, with its old-world, Victorian style, I knew it was the perfect piece that could help bring my vision to life.
This moody, Victorian-inspired look has quickly become my favorite holiday aesthetic to date. It feels layered, nostalgic, and full of old-world charm, with exactly the kind of warmth and charm I want our home to carry through the season.
If you’re drawn to this timeless holiday look, you may be surprised at how attainable it truly is.
Below, I’m sharing my favorite tips for recreating the look and bringing a touch of old-world, Victorian-inspired charm into your own home.
How to Achieve a Moody, Old-World Victorian Holiday Look.
Setting the Tone with Color.
The foundation for this Victorian-inspired holiday look started with a dark, yet timeless color palette. I envisioned colors that felt old-world and dramatic, the kind you might find in a dimly lit library or historic manor. I focused on incorporating accents with rich and dark hues of brown, burgundy, green, and antique brass to bring in the depth and mood I was aiming for.
One of the biggest changes I made to achieve the moody palette I desired was painting the fireplace from bright white to a rich, deep chocolate brown.
I had imagined this change for quite some time, and the holiday season felt like the perfect opportunity to bring my vision to life. This small but powerful update instantly brought the contrast and richness to our living room that I was aiming for.
After testing a few shades, I ultimately chose Sabel by Sherwin Williams. With just the right amount of warmth and depth, it anchored the space beautifully, providing the ideal backdrop.
Another change we had been wanting to make for some time was to update the rug, and this season again provided the perfect opportunity to finally make the change. I chose an olive and charcoal rug that I’d been eyeing for months. Its deep tones add both practicality and presence to our living room, while the ornate pattern brings in that old-world charm I’m always drawn to.
With those changes complete, the room finally felt ready. The painted fireplace and patterned rug worked in harmony to carry the palette I had envisioned, setting the foundation for this Victorian-inspired holiday look and allowing just a few thoughtful accents to bring the entire design to life.
Layering Seasonal Textures and Natural Elements.
Seasonal textures and natural elements are what truly bring a holiday look to life. For this Victorian-inspired look, I focused on three essentials: velvet trimmings, natural accents, and heavy greenery. Each element worked together to add richness, warmth, and old-world charm.
Velvet trimmings.
This year I leaned heavily into velvet trimmings, and I added them everywhere—the tree, the garland, the mantel, everywhere! Nothing in our home was safe from velvet accents, and the result was a layered, cohesive look that carried the Victorian-inspired feel throughout every room.
Ribbon is one of the simplest yet most impactful ways to decorate for the holidays. A single drapey bow can instantly give everyday decor a festive upgrade, and velvet ribbon in particular is a perfect choice for any vintage-inspired holiday look.
→ Pro Tip: Always save your trimmings. I never toss velvet ribbon at the end of the season. Even the smallest scraps can be repurposed on ornaments, garlands, or gifts, adding charm and creativity year after year!
Heavy Greens.
Winter greenery is an absolute must for the holidays. It’s the element I weave into almost everything this time of year—a tradition I picked up from my mom, who always filled our home with lush garlands and festive branches during the holidays.
I’m selective with all the florals and stems I bring into my home, but I’m especially selective about the holiday stems and garlands. I always look for greenery that feels as realistic as possible.
>> Get My Tips for Selecting The Most Realistic, Natural-Looking Stems <<
Shop My Favorite Winter Florals & Stems
Natural elements.
Natural elements have always been a staple in my holiday decorating, especially when I want to lean into the nostalgic holiday style I love.
Over the past couple of years, I’ve enjoyed incorporating dried oranges, pinecones, and cinnamon sticks into my Christmas decor to bring a touch of old-world charm.
Dried oranges and cinnamon sticks add the perfect mix of color and warmth, whether tucked into greenery, styled in bowls, hung on the tree, or displayed on their own.
>> How To Make Dried Orange Slices for Christmas Garlands, Wreaths & More <<
This year, I’ve especially loved the look of stacked cinnamon sticks. Tied with a simple piece of jute cord, they can be bundled into neat stacks to use as sculptural accents on a stack of books or styled into a holiday centerpiece.
Adding Vintage Holiday Decor.
It wouldn’t feel like a true Victorian-inspired Christmas without the charm of vintage and antique accents.
One of my favorite finds this season was a set of vintage handmade Turkish rug stockings. I’ve been searching for vintage stockings for years, so finally discovering these was a dream. They pair beautifully with our rug and add the perfect touch of old-world charm to the fireplace mantel.
Shop Handmade Turkish Rug Stockings
Vintage brass accents are another staple in my holiday decorating. This year, I sourced a large brass sleigh for the mantel and a brass sleigh with a reindeer for under the tree. Both pieces instantly elevated the look with timeless character.
This year was also my first year decorating our antique hutch for the holidays, and I loved filling the shelves with my favorite vintage finds. My collection of brass deer has always been a holiday staple, but this year I also brought out my brass camels, which quickly became one of my favorite parts of the display.
→ Pro Tip: If you own brass animal accents, the holidays are the perfect time to style them in creative ways. Even something as simple as tying a velvet ribbon around a brass swan can give it festive holiday flair.
Bells are another classic vintage accent I love to layer into my Christmas decorating. Larger bells look beautiful styled on top of books or side tables, while smaller bells make charming ornaments for the tree or additions to a tablescape. I especially love pairing bells with velvet ribbon for a Victorian-inspired look.
That said, authentic vintage brass bells can be difficult to find, and pricey if you want multiples. To get the look for less, I’ve created strings of vintage-inspired bells the past few years at a fraction of the cost! Find out more here:
>> My Vintage Holiday Bell Hack Under $5 <<
Styling a Holiday Tablescape with Old-World Charm.
A holiday tablescape is the finishing touch that completes any seasonal look.
This year, I tried a few variations before landing on a version that felt just right.
I started with my favorite matte black scalloped chargers and layered them with simple white plates for a classic contrast. Each place setting was finished with dark burgundy linens, a bundle of cinnamon sticks, a sprig of greenery, and a small vintage bell for a cohesive, festive touch.
For the centerpiece, I needed to keep it relatively simple due to the narrow size of the table. I used my favorite faux cedar stems and dark berry picks. I added two vintage brass candle holders and tied a piece of velvet ribbon around them, then placed a stack of cinnamon sticks and a couple dried oranges in the center to finish the look.
Elevate The Look Further With Leather-Bound Books and Original art.
Leather-Bound books.
I’ve shared my love of books many times on the blog, and they’re something nearly every decorator incorporates in one way or another.
Vintage books always bring subtle color and charm to a shelf, but if you want to truly elevate a Victorian-inspired holiday look, reach for antique leather-bound volumes. Their history and character are unmatched, and the warm tones are nothing short of perfection.
Shop our Collection of Antique and Vintage Books
Original Art.
In the past, I’ve used printable artwork for the holidays. It is a wonderful budget-friendly way to bring seasonal charm to the walls.
This year, however, I wanted to lean fully into an authentic Victorian-inspired look, so I turned to original art. For the master bedroom, I sourced an antique oil painting of a winter cabin scene. In the living room, I hung one of my husband’s beautiful original oil paintings featuring a winter scene above the sofa. On our hutch, I placed a simple oil painting of a pine tree that I painted myself and framed in a small antique wood frame.
Original art brings a unique presence to any room, adding depth and character that elevate the space instantly. In this case, it was the finishing touch that rounded out my Victorian-inspired holiday look.
Shop Our Collection of vintage Holiday Decor ↓
Our shop features a curated mix of vintage holiday pieces designed to bring warmth, nostalgia, and timeless style to your home.
Shop More Holiday Finds & Favorites ↓
Discover more holiday favorites from the brands we love. From cozy throws to wrapping details and festive tabletop pieces, these are the finds we’re reaching for this season.
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Hi, I’m Casey, founder of Refuge Interiors, where I combine my lifelong love of decorating and design with a passion for sourcing vintage and antique treasures to create classic, collected interiors that feel warm, inviting, and beautifully lived in.
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