FCS 348 HISTORY OF INTeRIOR DeSIGN: 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.