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The room was ornately decorated: lace curtains, oil or gas lamps casting a warm glow, and art collections displayed on walls via hanging rods—measures to preserve wallpaper from damage. Serving as the social hub, the parlour hosted guests for afternoon tea or conversations that adhered to strict Victorian manners. It was also the setting for pre-date meetings—couples would sit with chaperones in a space designed to be polite and modest.
Interestingly, during the Victorian era, this room was sometimes called the "room of death" because it held the body of a deceased family member for mourning. By the early 20th century, attitudes shifted, and the room was rebranded as the living room, reflecting a focus on life and activity.