Keeping Up with the Cavendishes – Regency Interiors
WITH LOUISA CORNELLRegistration Closes April 11, 2026!
Class Description
Writing Regency fiction involves taking all the historical evidence of the era and choosing what to use to draw the reader into one’s vision of a time and place in order to immerse them in the story. Creating one’s own Regency world is a personal endeavor and can be quite freeing when one has the tools and knowledge available to choose and design the setting they imagine their characters inhabiting. At the center of one’s Regency world are the stately homes, the manor houses, the castles, the cottages, and yes, even the humble farmhouses and Seven Dials hovels where one’s characters live, visit, entertain, and act out the tales an author hopes will leave the reader wanting more.
The aim of this class is to provide the information necessary to create an insightful, thorough, and immersive description of the interiors of every Regency home that exists in a writer’s imagination. From the ever-changing trends in decorating to the names of the designers, to the styles of décor in use in the era, to the color names used, to the materials and modes of furnishings, carpets, drapes, and myriad other aspects of décor this class will endeavor to inform the mind and incite the imagination when it comes to Regency décor and design.
With the correct terms and a few well-placed adjectives, one can make any room in fiction come to life. It is hoped this class will allow attendees to become Regency interior designers who can create exact and vivid descriptions and aspects of setting unique to this era. With that knowledge a writer can paint a Regency world that surrounds and seduces the reader to believe their dream of living in Regency England has come true.
About the Instructor
Louisa has been employed as everything from a veterinary technician to a bakery manager to night manager at a funeral home. Her education background includes a B.S. in Music Education and a B.A. in Vocal Performance from Judson College, a Master of Musical Arts and a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Opera Performance and Music History from the University of Southern Mississippi, and a year’s fellowship at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria.
After retiring from a European career as an opera singer Louisa returned to her first love, writing Regency romance. A two-time Golden Heart finalist, three-time Daphne du Maurier winner, and four-time Royal Ascot winner—she is a member of RWA, Southern Magic RWA, and Regency Fiction Writers. She is both indie published and published by Scarsdale Publishing. Her first published work, the novella A Perfectly Dreadful Christmas, won the 2015 Holt Medallion. Her novel A Study in Passion won the historical romance mid-length category of RWA’s 2021 Vivian Award. Her 26th book A Pearl Seduced was published in August, 2024. Her first contemporary romance Cajun in a Kilt was published in December, 2024 and the fifth The Duke, the Witch, and the Party Planner was published in April, 2025.
Louisa has taught workshops for the Academe and has presented multiple workshops for The Beau Monde / Regency Fiction Writers Annual Conferences. She has also taught writing craft workshops for RWA chapters, her local library, and RWA’s Pen-2-Paper program.
Her hobbies include collecting Regency research books, studying the history of Gothic romance, creating Regency hats, and playing doorman and maid to a herd of small, yappy dogs. She visits the UK as often as she can! Visit the instructor’s website at https://www.facebook.com/RegencyWriterLouisaCornell or http://numberonelondon.net/
Class Delivery
This class consists of written PDF lessons with illustrations.
Class Format
4-WEEK COURSE
Written Lectures: YES
Video Lectures: NO
Other Videos: NO
Pictures: YES
Audio Files: NO
Writing Exercises: NO
Class Fees
$40 for RFW members
$55 for non-members
Registration Closes April 11, 2026!
Scholarships are available for members