The video that Emma posted was a really interesting look into the work of the Shaker women and how they maintained their community. It provided a lot of good information on their responsibilities and roles.
I really liked the photos that Shannon included in her post, especially in her modern examples. She provided a lot of photos, and I think they really showed the quintessential characteristics of the American period design.
Saturday, April 25, 2015
American Period
The American period of design incorporated a lot of changes in design. There was a renewed interest in Ancient Rome and Greece, which brought about the Neoclassical style called Federal. Buildings from the Federal style, such as Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, featured pillars, domes, lyre motifs. These references to the strength and longevity seen in Greece and Rome that our new country hoped to find.
Another style seen during the American period was Shaker. The Shakers were a branch of the Quaker group and greatly valued political and religious freedom, as well as hard work and discipline. Part of these beliefs led them to create duplicates of most things in order to keep separation between men and women. They also created clean and simple furniture and homes that displaced superb craftsmanship.
Perhaps the most well known style from the American period is the Victorian style. Named after Queen Victoria, this style focused on the elaborate, romantic, and emotional aspects of design that were prevalent in England from 1837-1901 and was greatly influenced by the Gothic and Romanesque periods. Interiors featured dark, heavily carved wood, heavy drapery, and stained glass. Homes were often brightly colored on the outside and included many smaller rooms inside. There was a very distinct separation of classes, with homes creating a back area for servants and front area for visitors, as well at two staircases to keep them separate.
Another style seen during the American period was Shaker. The Shakers were a branch of the Quaker group and greatly valued political and religious freedom, as well as hard work and discipline. Part of these beliefs led them to create duplicates of most things in order to keep separation between men and women. They also created clean and simple furniture and homes that displaced superb craftsmanship.
Perhaps the most well known style from the American period is the Victorian style. Named after Queen Victoria, this style focused on the elaborate, romantic, and emotional aspects of design that were prevalent in England from 1837-1901 and was greatly influenced by the Gothic and Romanesque periods. Interiors featured dark, heavily carved wood, heavy drapery, and stained glass. Homes were often brightly colored on the outside and included many smaller rooms inside. There was a very distinct separation of classes, with homes creating a back area for servants and front area for visitors, as well at two staircases to keep them separate.
Current Examples
A modern Victorian style living room
A kitchen featuring Shaker style cabinets
Modern chairs that have show a clear Victorian influence
Check out this video on the architecture and design of Monticello:
Sunday, April 19, 2015
Early English Renaissance Peer Review
I read Karri's blog and thought she did a great job explaining the history of the English Renaissance. She also gave great details about what typical characteristics you will see in English design.
Alecia also did a great job explaining the history of the English Renaissance. She went into extra detail about certain designs, like the Chippendale chair, and people, like George Hepplewhite, that were very interesting and added a lot of great information to her blog.
Alecia also did a great job explaining the history of the English Renaissance. She went into extra detail about certain designs, like the Chippendale chair, and people, like George Hepplewhite, that were very interesting and added a lot of great information to her blog.
Early English Renaissance
The Early English Renaissance period lasted between 1550-1660. The main periods during this time were named for the rulers of that age: Tudor, Elizabethan, Jacobean, and Cromwellian. Due to their location and climate, the English Renaissance saw a great deal of stone and wood used in their designs as these were plentiful natural resources. This was especially evident in the Tudor style, which started the English Renaissance and is associated with timber frame construction. This period focused on churches, official buildings, and furnishings. The furniture of this period was fairly meager, but included box-like chairs, chests, beds, and trestle tables.
The Elizabethan period followed and brought a great deal of wealth. many manor homes were build during this time and often followed shapes of E, C, and H while incorporating gateways, long drives, and formal parks and gardens. One famous building from this time was Hardwick Hall, known for its numerous large windows. Furniture of this time used oak and walnut and saw the development of cupboards. Tables often featured bulbous legs and t-stretchers. Large, luxurious 4-poster beds also became popular during this time.
The Jacobean style brought plaster ceilings and paneling to the English Renaissance and used less heavy details. Furniture was heavily carved, included spiral turns, and also began to use upholstery. Architect Inigo Jones rose to prominence during this period as well, and was heavily influenced by the Italian architect, Palladio. Interiors began to use fireplaces as the focal point of rooms, and often included oriental rugs and embroidered silk.
The Elizabethan period followed and brought a great deal of wealth. many manor homes were build during this time and often followed shapes of E, C, and H while incorporating gateways, long drives, and formal parks and gardens. One famous building from this time was Hardwick Hall, known for its numerous large windows. Furniture of this time used oak and walnut and saw the development of cupboards. Tables often featured bulbous legs and t-stretchers. Large, luxurious 4-poster beds also became popular during this time.
The Jacobean style brought plaster ceilings and paneling to the English Renaissance and used less heavy details. Furniture was heavily carved, included spiral turns, and also began to use upholstery. Architect Inigo Jones rose to prominence during this period as well, and was heavily influenced by the Italian architect, Palladio. Interiors began to use fireplaces as the focal point of rooms, and often included oriental rugs and embroidered silk.
Current Examples
A modern writing desk with Jacobean style spiral turn legs
Home with Tudor style design
Four poster bed with hangings, similar to the Elizabethan style beds
Check out this video on Inigo Jones and his work with Palladianism:
Friday, April 10, 2015
French Renaissance Peer Review
I read Nichole's blog and found that she had a lot of good information on the style of the French Renaissance, and particularly the Baroque period and the chateaux of this time. I also really enjoyed her modern examples as they really showed the main aspects of the French Renaissance
I also read Katie's blog and really enjoyed the history she gave for the Baroque style. I thought she did a great job of explaining how it was a counter reformation from within the Catholic church.
I also read Katie's blog and really enjoyed the history she gave for the Baroque style. I thought she did a great job of explaining how it was a counter reformation from within the Catholic church.
The French Renaissance
The French Renaissance took place from the 15th to 17th centuries and was heavily influenced by the taste of reigning royals of the time. During the French Renaissance, the profession or "ornamaniste", or "decorator", was created and was responsible for designing luxurious spaces that provided a harmonious atmosphere. In addition to this attention placed on interiors, building exteriors also gained importance and were crucial part so the designs of palaces and chateux.
Due to the weather, buildings of this time required steep roofs, multiple chimneys, and a great number of large windows. This style of roof, created by French Baroque architect Francois Mansart, is now known and the Mansard roof. One of the most famous structures of this time is the Chateau de Chambord. It is considered to be the largest and most majestic of the chateaux, and even features a famous double staircase designed by Leonardo da Vinci.
The designs of this time were heavily influenced by the Gothic style of architecture. It carried similar styles with the characteristic pointed arches, high ceilings with rib vaults, large windows to allow a light and airy feeling, and ornate detailing.
Due to the weather, buildings of this time required steep roofs, multiple chimneys, and a great number of large windows. This style of roof, created by French Baroque architect Francois Mansart, is now known and the Mansard roof. One of the most famous structures of this time is the Chateau de Chambord. It is considered to be the largest and most majestic of the chateaux, and even features a famous double staircase designed by Leonardo da Vinci.
The designs of this time were heavily influenced by the Gothic style of architecture. It carried similar styles with the characteristic pointed arches, high ceilings with rib vaults, large windows to allow a light and airy feeling, and ornate detailing.
Current Examples
A modern home with a Mansard roof
A room featuring the light colors, large windows, and ornate decor of the French Renaissance
A room with ribbed vaulted ceilings similar to those during the French Renaissance
Also, check out this video on the Chateau de Chambord and its architecture:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)