Entradas

Week 15 – Victorian & Historical Revivals

Imagen
INT 231 – History of Interiors By:  Nicol Valeria Torres Villamil Week 15 – Victorian & Historical Revivals This week we learned about the Victorian period as well as the Historical Revival styles that defined the 19th century. Mixing historical styles, the Gothic Revival, Renaissance Revival, Rococo Revival, Egyptian Revival, and several others, characterized the Victorian era the most. Rather than sticking to a single aesthetic, the designers drew on history and elegantly mixed it into very decorative and expressive interiors. Victorian design was very much so decorated to the maximum extent. The heavy draperies, patterned wallpapers, carved furniture, dark woods, and bold colors like burgundy, green, and gold were the elements of the interiors. On the other hand, the Industrial Revolution led to the production of furniture, textiles, and wallpapers at a cheaper price which made it possible for middle-class homes to imitate the style of the rich families. All the histori...

Week 13 – English Late Renaissance-Neoclassical

Imagen
 INT 231 – History of Interiors By: Nicol Valeria Torres Villamil Week 13 – English Late Renaissance-Neoclassical  This week we studied the English Late Renaissance and the emergence of Neoclassical style, a time that was really influenced by Enlightenment ideas and designers like Robert Adam, George Hepplewhite, and Thomas Sheraton. In contrast to previous English Renaissance periods, this one was altogether very fond of classical simplicity, symmetry, and refinement. The medleys of light, geometry, and elegance in the interiors showed more of classical ideals rather than those of medieval or Tudor traditions.     Robert Adam took the position of the most prominent and designer through his creativity. He presented the concept of unified interiors that meant walls, ceilings, furniture, and decoration were all designed together as one beautiful whole. His mannerism was classical urns, swags, festoons, and medallions, while pastel-colored walls, made up with refined or...

Week 12 – English Renaissance (Early & Mid)

Imagen
INT-History of Interiors Blog By: Nicol Valeria Torres Villamil Week 12 – English Renaissance (Early & Mid)  This week we examined the English Renaissance, concentrating on the Early Renaissance (Tudor & Elizabethan periods) and the High Renaissance (Jacobean period). England, unlike Italy or France, combined Renaissance ideals with very strong medieval traditions, thus making the interiors more heavy, timber-centric, and craftsmanship-bound. The Gothic elements still prevailed during the Tudor period but Renaissance motifs were also visible. The interiors were characterized by dark oak wood, half-timbered structures, and the extensive use of rich textiles such as tapestries and embroideries. Decorative strapwork, linenfold paneling, and huge fireplaces were the style's main attributes. The Elizabethan era played a big role in bringing about more comfort and greater symmetry to the interiors. Houses got bigger and lighter, boasting long galleries, broad stairways, and elab...

Week 11 – French Neoclassical Period

Imagen
INT-History of Interiors Blog   By: Nicol Valeria Torres Villamil  Week 11 – French Neoclassical Period This week, we studied the Neoclassical period in French art and design, which was characterized by the abandonment of the gay and superfluous styles of Rococo and the return to order, symmetry, and classical restraint. The new period had a lot to do with the changes in the French culture and politics right before the Revolution when art and interiors started to reflect such qualities as reasoning, discipline, and moral purity. The magnificent but also extravagant interiors of the Louis XV and Louis XVI periods were replaced by the simple, albeit, elaborately niched ones. The Louis XV style (Rococo) gave priority to comfort and beauty, which was achieved through the use of curved forms and the natural motifs, while the Louis XVI style (Neoclassical) brought back straight lines, geometric balance, and classical inspiration. Satinwood, mahogany, and gilded bronze were the ...