The American period

During the 1776 and up to until 1789 France and the United States overthrew their monarchs at the same time. They became allies at the beginning of the 19th century. What inspired me the most about this period was the beautiful craftsmanship. We do not see many of these designs today because machines can do the work. Neoclassic design represented their political aspirations. arm chairs had curved armrests and straight. Many of the Neoclassical motifs included lyres, harps, and crown of laurel leaves. Duncan Phyfe was a famous designer and craftsman during this time period. He was known for the daybed and his skilled carvings. Below are a couple of his most famous works of art.

 

Another important design element during this period is the Shaker style. This type of style includes elegant simplicity and superb craftsmanship. Round barns, cast iron stoves, and ladder back chairs were another feature to the Shaker Style.

 

Today's Applications:

 

 

 

 

Other Student's Blog:

 

Looking at Dana's blog I really liked how she compared two different types of houses yet they were both a part of the American Period. She went into great detail of how the American Period was a clash of many different periods which was true and very important.

I also looked at Lindsey's blog in which I like how she described the Dutch style home. These types of homes had steep roves with decorative brick on the exterior of the house. We see this style of homes today. I also liked her current applications.

 

Video:

This video goes more in depth about the art of the Shaker Style and how this style is incorporated in design and architecture today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwA9JoL4BxE 

English: Mid Renaissance

The Mid Renaissance of the English period fascinated me the most. Starting from the 1600s to 1750 was when this time period began and moved onto the late Renaissance. At 1666 there was a great fire in England that burned a large section of London. Sir Christopher Wren stepped up to the plate and created new designs for England. He invented the new baroque, urban design. His designs were greatly influenced by the French. One of the new chateaux he built was the St. Paul's Cathedral in London. Below are images of the St. Paul's Cathedral:
    


One woman who humored me with her stubbornness and lack of interest was Queen Anne. She was neither interested nor influential to interior design. She was interested more on social living such as tea or coffee drinking. However she was influenced by trading. She traded with the Chinese for furniture, lacquer, Chinese porcelain, corner display cabinet, tea, and tea tables. In addition, she traded with Cuba for mahogany. Mahogany was very useful because it was easier to work with than walnut, firmer and has less difference in grain, and absorbs polish better. Queen Anne then became influential to design. Her design elements included: curved lines as dominating motif, Chinese structure for furniture, elegant and graceful, and the cabriole leg. The cabriole leg chair was influential and we see it everywhere today in our furniture.



Modern Applications:
 

Other Student's Blog:

In Dana's blog, I really liked how she explained the three separate periods during the English Renaissance. Also, she explained her current applications in which I learned that the Hepplewhite chair have straight, slender legs, backs are curved, and contain intricate designs. She did a great job of showing how the late English Renaissance is current today.
Looking at Ariana's blog, I liked how she pointed out that the English period was influenced by the Italian Renaissance in which I did not know about. She explained the Tudor style home which had wood framing. I really liked her pictures for showing us what a Tudor home actually looks like.

Going into further explanation of St. Paul's Cathedral is this short video. Check it out!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miQif-h1f_k

French Renaissance

The French Renaissance is different from the previous periods because design in this era was dependent on the ruler of the time. In other countries, design was based upon religious and political histories. Royal "taste was determined by the ruler. France was central to Romanesque and Gothic periods. The French Renaissance was mainly influenced by the Italian Renaissance. The ornamaniste  or decorator was becoming a profound profession. This position required to be skilled in explaining design concepts to the client and also be able to design harmonious and luxury rooms. In this period the exterior was beginning to be important and the sprawling of chateaux's were being built rather than churches or religious centers. One of the most important chateaux of this time was the Chateau de  Chambord, built by Francois I. It started off as a hunting lodge then expanded tremendously throughout he monarchy years into what it is now. The interior was also partly designed by Leonardo Da Vinci. It was said that he created the double-helix startcase located in the center of this structure. The fluer-de-lis was a very important design element that was an inspiration in this work of art.

Chateaux de Chambord

 Below is a picture of the interior of the Chateaux de Chambord.







                                      



  

Another important chateau during the French Renaissance was the Chateau de Fontainebleu. It's known for its large structure, formal gardens, lakes, fountain, and elaborate interiors.




 
We see French Renaissance inspired homes everyday. Here are some examples:

Other Student's Blog: 

One blog that I looked at was Ariana's blog. She did an excellent job of pointing out that interior design was becoming a profession. She explained the reign of Francois I in the Chateaux de Chambord and how Chateaux de Chambord was at first a hunting lodge and was left unfurnished.

I also looked at Flor's blog. She really explained this new design during the French Period. This new design featured simpler materials, less ornamentation, and a preference of symmetry. Designer started using more woods and monochromatic textiles.

Video:
Here is a video that goes more in depth of the Chateaux de Chambord. Hope you enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQz8smJxF3I

Spanish

The Spanish period was the brilliant era in Spanish history. It was during the final expulsion of the Moors. Ferdinand and Isabella acquired a New World. New voyagers and traders resulted in fabulous amounts of gold and silver. During the middle of the century they were at the peak of their power.  The Alambra was a significant piece of architecture during this period. It was plain on the outside but very detailed and extravagant on the interiors. It contained numerous gardens, fountains, and reflecting pools. Below are representations of the Alhambra.

Alhambra exterior



Alhambra Interiors

Alhambra court of pools

The largest cathedral in the world 15th century was the Cathedral of Seville. It is located in Seville- Andalusia, Spain. Copies the Gothic style of architecture and demonstrated the cities wealth. Occupied eighty chapels which held five hundred masses.

A very important element of architecture was the plateresco phase. This style of ornamentation was to represent that of a silversmith. It was very detailed and was used on exteriors, patios, churches, public buildings, furniture, and accessories.

Interiors during this time period included very detailed furniture, tile work, and iron grilles.

Plateresco Phase

Current Applications:

Other Student's Blog:

Looking at Katie's blog I really like how she compared the plateresco phase and desornamentado phase. She explained the vargueno puente very well in detail. I also liked her current applications.

This week I also looked at Emily N's blog. I really liked how she explain the historical setting during this time period. It was commonly accepted as the beginning of the Renaissance of Spain. In addition she did an excellent job of explaining the herrea style which was named after Juan de Herrea.



Italian Renaissance

The Italian Renaissance was a breath of fresh air for Italy. This time period was a revolution in design. Classical forms were refined and adapted to new uses. The Roman Catholic Church had become very powerful and corrupted. Everyone was interested in art, literature, architecture and design. Starting with the home or in this time period it was called the Palazzo. Palazzo's were many units put together like as we see today apartments or town homes. There was many repetition, windows, and pillars. It was centered around a courtyard and there were three floors. The third floor was mainly for the wealthy were the interior was very lavish and elegant with extravagant furniture and detail. The second floor was for the middle class were it wasn't as lavish as the third floor. Below are images of the Palazzos.

Courtyard

 One famous home that is very elegant and lavish is the Medici home.  Michelozzo di Bartolommeo was their architect for their home.


 





People were getting more involved and interested in art and one of the most famous artist and architect during this time period was Michelangelo.  His most famous pieces include the Sistine Chapel and the sculpture of David. His work is very detailed and phenomenal.






The interior of this time period was very lavish with decorative moldings, elaborate ceilings, tapestries, the doors and archways. Even their furniture was detailed as you can see below.
 






Today's Application:
 








Other Student's Blog: 
Looking at Emily's blog I like how she discussed the Palazzos. They portrayed repetition, alteration, and progression. Shops and businessness were held on the main floor while the second and third floors were living areas. I also liked her current applications.
Another classmate Justine discussed how this time period was a rebirth starting from the 24th century to the 16th century. It took place in Tuscany and then later spread to Florence, Siena, and Venice. She also talked about the town square where many facades stood.

The Americas

The Americas were a very interesting time period because there are still alot of things unsolved. There were several different empires but there was one thing that really intrigued me about this time period were the Incas. This time period started in 1200 C.E and ran til 1572 C.E. The Incas were the largest empire of the Pre-Columbia America. You can tell that they were very advanced in their ways with architecture from looking at the Machu Picchu. The Machu Picchu was located on top of a mountain in Peru and was built for the royal estate for the Incan emperor Pachacuti. It was made of stone and was said that the stones were so compacted that you coudn't even slide a credit card inbetween them. Their entryways were trapezoid shaped made out od stone as well. There were many levels of the Machu Picchu as well as open concepts like we see today. Pictures below are of Machu Picchu.

 

Current Applications:

 

Other Student's Blog:
I found Chanel and Kristina's blogs very interesting and full of important information about The Americas. Chanel talked about the Olmec's who used rubber as many aspects of design. I thought this was very intriguing and I liked how she showed how rubber was an important element of design to the Olmecs. In Kristina's blog she talked about the Aztecs. I liked how she explained how their religious centers were made. I also liked her current applications.