The design blog is an essential part of this course. Your blog will be used to keep track of stylistic characteristics of des
The design blog is an essential part of this course. Your blog will be used to keep track of stylistic characteristics of designs that are covered in this class and that you observe, either in person or from images.
For each style covered in the unit, find at least one example of an interior component used in a modern way. Selections may include entire rooms or specific items within an interior (furniture, fabric, use of space, etc.…). In this entry, please include styles from Gothic, Italian, French, and English Renaissance. This will be 4 separate pages, 1 for each style listed. (at least 200 words for each page)
Good sources for this material include: Interior Design Magazine, Metropolis, Houzz.com, Elle Decor and professional associations’ publications. Do not use images from books or magazines that are specifically about the assigned style (i.e., do not Google “Egyptian furniture” and cut and paste an image).
An example of a Design Blog (Unit 2) is provided as a guide on what is expected. Note: this is one of many ways to create a blog. Do not let this example limit your creativity; the only take away from this example is the combination of text and images. Be sure to provide sufficient text and images within your blogs each week.
Include a brief description of the item/interior, where you observed it, and why you place it in the particular design style. Also include any personal thoughts; please remember to include links and images.
R E V I V E
I N D S 2 1 1 D E S I G N B L O G
C H R I S T I N E M I N S U M M E R 2 0 2 1 | P R O F . G O N A N O | H I S T O R Y O F I N T E R I O R D E S I G N
" I A M N O T A D E C O R A T O R .
T H E O N L Y P L A C E I D E C O R A T E I S M Y
O W N H O U S E . ”
– F l o r e n c e K n o l l
A N C I E N T E G Y P T
A N C I E N T G R E E C E
A N C I E N T R O M E
A N C I E N T C H I N A
This leather stool from P o t t e r y B a r n reuses a signature style of Ancient Egypt . The X – Shaped
base is present in the modern
rendition . Additionally , leather , a
prominent material used in
ancient Egyptian culture is
featured . The smoky tones of
both the leather and the wood is
yet another way the ancient stool
has been revamped to suit a
modern interior .
It is fascinating to see that an
ancient style and the most
elemental type of seating is stil l
being used today . The X – shaped
base allows for furniture to be
collapsed and therefore portable ,
but also adds a l ight airiness to
the aesthetic of furniture .
A N C I E N T
E G Y P T
" I f y o u s e a r c h f o r t h e l a w s o f
h a r m o n y , y o u w i l l f i n d
k n o w l e d g e . "
– E g y p t i a n P r o v e r b
S T O O L W I T H X – S H A P E D B A S E
M O D E R N
H I S T O R I C A L4
The Klismos Chair had sabre legs ,
which meant that the legs curved out
opposite each other . This iconic chair
featured a curved back that hugged
the human body and the seats were
made of cloth or leather .
The modern T r i s t a n A c r y l i c Klismos Chair certainly echoes the original
chair ' s shape and curvature of the
backing and legs . The difference l ies
in the futuristic clear material of
acrylic and the cushioned velvet seat .
Judging by the curves of the back
seat , one can deduce that the ancient
Greeks were conscious of ergonomics
and prioritized comfort , especially
when seating those in higher social
classes . The matching degree of
curving in the backing and legs is also
an admirable harmonic design choice .
A N C I E N T
G R E E C E
" W e a r e w h a t w e r e p e a t e d l y
d o . E x c e l l e n c e , t h e n , i s n o t a n
a c t , b u t a h a b i t . "
– A r i s t o t l e
K L I S M O S C H A I R
M O D E R N
H I S T O R I C A L
5
This T r i s t a n A u e r armchair is a dramatic piece that flaunts the
component of the sella curulis
that is most distinctive – the
double – X form . Instead of the X –
form only being used for the
base , the entire X creates the
form of the armchair . The top is
an enticing and stylish seat ,
while the bottom part of the X
serves as a sturdy base .
The sella curulis was an
important seat meant for those
in higher power such as
emperors and magistrates . The
sleek and robust modern
rendition of the sella curulis
surely emboldens users with
confidence f it for an emperor .
A N C I E N T
R O M E
" S a y n o t a l w a y s w h a t y o u
k n o w , b u t a l w a y s k n o w w h a t
y o u s a y . "
– C l a u d i u s
S E L L A C U R U L I S
M O D E R N
H I S T O R I C A L
6
Featured on H o m e D e s i g n i n g , this modern Chinese house exhibits a
lattice style used in ancient
Chinese interiors . Lattices were
used in the past to achieve the
integration of both the interior
and exterior , a principal
component of Chinese interior
design .
The modern utilization of ancient
lattices brings a zen sensation to
the home due to the lattice ' s
calming repetitive shapes and
harmonic placements , evocative of
the satisfaction one feels when
fitting puzzle pieces together .
Just as the indoor lattices used in
the past served as screens to
divide rooms ( one of many
purposes ) , the modern lattice
usage is also used to separate
spaces and define interior zones .
A N C I E N T
C H I N A
" O n e b e a m , n o m a t t e r h o w b i g ,
c a n n o t s u p p o r t a n e n t i r e h o u s e
o n i t s o w n . "
– C h i n e s e P r o v e r b
L A T T I C E
M O D E R N
H I S T O R I C A L 7
G O T H I C
I T A L I A N R E N A I S S A N C E
F R E N C H R E N A I S S A N C E
E N G L I S H R E N A I S S A N C E
H i n e s o f O x f o r d
S a v e o n T a p e s t r i e s
T A P E S T R I E S
M O D E R N
H I S T O R I C A L
The cassapanca translates to " chest –
bench " and serves those two exact
purposes . This furniture piece
provides seating and also the seat
itself can be opened ( with the help
of hinges ) for any storage uses .
When I f irst saw images of the
cassapanca , I immediately thought
of church pews . However , I believed
the important storage feature of
this multifunctional furniture piece
was too intelligent to ignore .
Featured on W a y f a i r , this storage bench also provides users with two
purposes . There is faux leather
cushioning for extra comfort that I
imagine the cassapanaca did not
provide in the past , and the fl ip – top
reveals ample storage space that
can be used for anything from
throw blankets to children ' s toys .
I T A L I A N
R E N A I S S A N C E
" I t h a d l o n g s i n c e c o m e t o m y
a t t e n t i o n t h a t p e o p l e o f
a c c o m p l i s h m e n t r a r e l y s a t b a c k a n d
l e t t h i n g s h a p p e n t o t h e m . T h e y
w e n t o u t a n d h a p p e n e d t o t h i n g s . "
– L e o n a r d o d a V i n c i
C A S S A P A N C A
M O D E R N
H I S T O R I C A L
10
The prestige piece , armoire á deux corp ,
was a cupboard separated into two
sections . The lower section and upper
section of doors were separated by a set of
drawers in the middle . Armoire á deux
corps were usually made of oak , and the
modern revival is also made of oak .
Featured on H o u z z , the modern rendition of the armoire á deux is not as glamorous
as the historical usage . However , the
mimicry of the original paneling is
admirable . Just as with the original design ,
there are door – l ike panels at the top and
bottom , separated by drawer – l ike panels in
the middle . Additionally , times progress ,
and humans develop different needs . I
believe that using an armoire for
televisions can be a great way to conceal
technology and even keep it out of the
reach of impressionable children .
F R E N C H
R E N A I S S A N C E
“ I g o t o s e e k a G r e a t P e r h a p s . ”
– F r a n ç o i s R a b e l a i s
A R M O I R E Á D E U X C O R P S
M O D E R N
H I S T O R I C A L 11
The English Reniassance cupboard was
highly decorative as well , with carvings ,
inlay , and architectural motifs
ornamenting every inch of the furniture
piece . Seeing the extravagant designs
in history ' s furniture makes me ponder
about the dedication and appreciation
we modern folk have on our own
furniture designs .
Another modern usage of a historical
cupboard – style furniture piece is bar
cabinetry . Just as the example above
was used to conceal , this cupboard
conceals wine and drinks . This modern
design suits our society in the moment
and I am positive as our society
progresses , we will see more changes
from the historic Renaissance cupboard
designs .
E N G L I S H
R E N A I S S A N C E
“ B r e v i t y i s t h e s o u l o f w i t . ”
– W i l l i a m S h a k e s p e a r e
C U P B O A R D
M O D E R N
H I S T O R I C A L 12
F R E N C H B A R O Q U E
F R E N C H R O C O C O
W I L L I A M A N D M A R Y
Parquetry is a wood veneering or inlay
arranged in a geometric pattern .
Parquet flooring originated in 16th
century France , beginning with talented
artisans f itting blocks of small wood
pieces , varying in size and color , to
create elaborate designs . The French
word " parquetry " means " small
compartment . The famous Hotel de
Soubise features parquet pattern
flooring .
F R E N C H
B A R O Q U E
“ D r a w i n g i s t h e s k e l e t o n o f
w h a t y o u d o a n d c o l o r i s i t s
f l e s h . ”
– N i c o l a s P o u s s i n
P A R Q U E T R Y
M O D E R N
H I S T O R I C A L
Parquetry is widely used in the modern
world and have countless design
configurations . This wood tile sample
from L o w e ' s is laid out in a wonderfully symmetrical manner and can bring a
harmonious and dynamic character to
any home . Usually seen throughout
history with a high sheen , this modern
rendition opts for a faded matte look ,
perfect for a farmhous aesthetic .
14
Along with asymmetry , rocaille , S and
C scrolls , the Acanthus leaf was a
si gnature motif used in French
Rococo furniture and interiors . The
Acanthus leaf was f irst used by the
Greeks in architectural
ornamentation , friezes , and capitals
of columns . However , during the
French Rococo period , the Acanthus
leaf was exaggerated and stylized to
be excessively elaborate .
F R E N C H
R O C O C O
" T h i s v i s i o n i s w i t h i n o u r
g r a s p . "
– F r a n c o i s B o u c h e r
A C A N T H U S L E A F M O T I F
M O D E R N
H I S T O R I C A L
The S h a d e s o f L i g h t Acanthus Leaf Li ght Fixture is one way this famous
Rococo motif has survived into
modern days . The style of the leaves
are not nearly as elaborate as the
Rococo version , it is instead much
si mpler in form and a great way to
integrate natural motifs into a space .
The usage of gold , however , is
reminiscent of the past ' s gilded
version .
15
W I N G B A C K C H A I R
M O D E R N
H I S T O R I C A L
R e j u v e n a t i o n ,
F R E N C H N E O C L A S S I C A L
F R E N C H E M P I R E
G E O R G I A N
The settee was very similar to a
chair but a horizontally expanded
version of it . Settees had less
upholstery than sofas and were
made to seat multiple people .
F R E N C H
N E O C L A S S I C A L
" T h e i n t e r e s t s o f t h e s t a t e
m u s t c o m e f i r s t . "
– L o u i s X V I
S E T T E E
M O D E R N
H I S T O R I C A L
The modern version provided by
A r h a u s , is created of recycled leather rather than fabric covers .
The form of the modern settee is
much simpler and exudes casual
elegance . The legs are not as
elaborate as their historical
counterpart but they do taper at
the end as a nod to the past .
Learning about the settee and
researching modern usage has been
interesting because it initially
looked so similar to a loveseat .
Through research , I discovered that
settees have indeed transitioned to
" courting settees " or " loveseats " .
18
Napoleon Bonaparte ' s wife , Josephine ,
had purchased a small chateau in
1799 . Her room was designed with
fabrics that made the room look l ike a
tent . The fabric was draped between
posts to give the i l lusion that the posts
were supporting the tent – l ike room .
F R E N C H
E M P I R E
" N e v e r i n t e r r u p t y o u r e n e m y
w h e n h e i s m a k i n g a m i s t a k e . "
– N a p o l e o n B o n a p a r t e
F A B R I C D R A P E R Y
M O D E R N
H I S T O R I C A L
Featured in H o u s e & G a r d e n , designer Henri Fitzwill iam created a tent
environment in the dining room , similar
to the style in Josephine ' s room . Just as
the vertical stripes in the historical
example match the very thin vertical
lines in the modern example , both
environments have an elegant circus
aesthetic . Fitzwill iam used R a l p h L a u r e n fabric to create a noise – reducing roof to the dining room in a
country home . There seem to be more
functions of fabric usage in today ' s age
19
Featured on H o u z z , H i g h B y B o b o I n t r i g u i n g O b j e c t s ' s Saratoga Chest is a sleek , mid – century modern version of
the historical chest on chest . Created
from solid oak , the tiers of drawers
mimic the two ' chests ' seen in the
Georgian furniture piece . Wood
patterns were of large importance in
the Georgian era and the modern
Saratoga chest seems to have a subtle
wood grain that matches its simple
si lhouette , I believe the modern chest
looks weightier due to its lack of legs
but looks l ike a safer furniture piece
because of the cut corners .
The popular ' chest on stand ' from the
William and Mary era had been
replaced with the ' chest on chest ' . This
new kind of chest stand provided a
double set of drawers instead of one in
the previous rendition .
G E O R G I A N
" A t r a i t o r i s e v e r y o n e w h o
d o e s n o t a g r e e w i t h m e . "
– G e o r g e I I I
C H E S T O N C H E S T
M O D E R N
H I S T O R I C A L 20
S H A K E R
T H O N E T
V I C T O R I A N
Shakers left their storage elements
without decorative elements . However ,
instead of obvious motifs , they instead
embraced the natural wood grain of
the natural materials and did not use
stains to cover it . They also used
hardware placements to bring in visual
interest .
S H A K E R
" D o a l l y o u r w o r k a s t h o u g h
y o u h a d a t h o u s a n d y e a r s t o
l i v e ; a n d a s y o u w o u l d i f y o u
k n e w y o u m u s t d i e t o m o r r o w . "
– M o t h e r A n n L e e
D R E S S E R
M O D E R N
H I S T O R I C A L
The modern armoire from W a y f a i r has the clean and simple look of Shaker
storage furniture . The hardware of this
piece is also placed in functional parts
of the armoire but also brings rhythmic
patterns that excite the eyes . Due to
the modern method of widely
accessible manufacturing , this
furniture piece also embraces its wood
grain but the wood is not as matte as
the historical piece was . I believe that
having a shinier quality to the storage
piece makes it look more modern .
22
The modern Wave Bentwood Rocking
Chair from B 2 H mimics the curvil inear l ines of the original
Bentwood Rocker , but simplifies the
lines . Instead of more curves and
scrolls , the modern rendition opts
for a cleaner look . The use of metal
and leather cushioning of the
seating allows for durability and a
long l i fe in a home or office .
This furniture invention was the f irst
bentwood rocker ever made . Michale
Thonet found inspiration for this
piece after attending the Crystal
Palace exhibition in Hyde Park ,
London . Thonet is famous for his
method of gluing thin strips of wood
together and attaching metal straps
to beech rods . This allowed for
bending wood without splintering . In
the case of the Bentwood Rocker ,
this method proved to be crucial for
the many curves present .
T H O N E T
I n 1 8 5 3 , T h o n e t f o u n d e d h i s
o w n c o m p a n y , G e b r ü d e r T h o n e t
( T h e T h o n e t B r o t h e r s ) , w h i c h
a t i t s p e a k i n t h e m i d – 1 8 7 0 s
p r o d u c e d 2 , 0 0 0 u n i t s a d a y
a n d e m p l o y e d o v e r 4 , 0 0 0
w o r k e r s .
B E N T W O O D R O C K E R
M O D E R N
H I S T O R I C A L 23
The modern l incrusta featured on
L i n c r u s t a . c o m is similar to the historical example in that it is meant to decorate the
lower areas of the walls ( dados ) and the
motifs and designs are flowing and
vertically elongated . Although the designs
are also very similar to each other , I feel
that the modern rendition is much l ighter
and fresh than the heavier Victorian
lincrusta . The modern l incrusta seems to
be less raised and adds visual interest to a
room rather than weighing it down .
In 1877 , Frederick Walton invented
lincrusta . This wallcovering was originally
marketed as l inoleum that was placed on
the wall . This was a valuable feature for
fastidious Victorians because l inoleum was
easy to clean and maintain . Lincrusta was
the f irst washable wall covering . This wall
covering was made of l inseed oil and
canvas , it could be painted , or even faux –
f inished to mimic other materials .
V I C T O R I A N
" W e a r e n o t i n t e r e s t e d i n t h e
p o s s i b i l i t i e s o f d e f e a t ; t h e y d o
n o t e x i s t . " – Q u e e n V i c t o r i a
L I N C R U S T A
M O D E R N
H I S T O R I C A L 24
E U R O P E A N A R T S & C R A F T S
A M E R I C A N A R T S & C R A F T S
A R T N O U V E A U
J A P A N E S E
This modern Bow Arm Morris Recliner
featured on H o u z z is a modern rendition of the original Morris chair .
The arms are much longer than the
original , but this allows for more
comfort . The sides are slatted just as
the original was although the
individual slats are much simpler and
sleeker . Lastly , the adjustable back
has been refined to be easier to use .
One of Morris & Co . ' s most famous
inventions was the Morris chair .
Created in 1866 , this chair had an
oak frame with wool tapestry
upholstery . This design was
revolutionary because the back was
adjustable . By moving the pegs on
the back of the chair , the back could
be moved to suit any user . This chair
was plagiarized often by Gustav
Stickley . Even to this day , there are
chairs that resemble the Morris
Chair but are labeled as Stickley .
E U R O P E A N A R T S & C R A F T S
" H a v e n o t h i n g i n y o u r h o u s e
t h a t y o u d o n o t k n o w t o b e
u s e f u l , o r b e l i e v e t o b e
b e a u t i f u l . "
– W i l l i a m M o r r i s
M O R R I S C H A I R
M O D E R N
H I S T O R I C A L 26
This Robert Louis Tiffany Tropical Birds
Pendant Lamp from L a m p s P l u s is a modern example of a stained glass
Tiffany Lamp . Instead of the widely
accessible lamps that were produced in
the past , this rendition is meant to be
hung from the ceiling . Although the
placement of this lamp differs , the
stained glass elements can stil l be
admired by users . This lamp paints a
narrative of a family of birds that can
add movement to a dining or l iving room .
Louis Comfort Tiffany and Associated
American Artists had designed many
interiors with stained glass designs . To
become more accessible to the public ,
these designs were introduced as
stained glass lamps . Today , it is common
for any stained glass lamp to be called a
Tiffany lamp because of the f irm ' s
historical contributions .
“ T h e a r t o f f u r n i t u r e w i l l b e t h e e x p r e s s i o n o f t h e i n d i v i d u a l a r t i s t t h r o u g h t h e p o w e r s o f t h e m a c h i n e — t h e m a c h i n e d o i n g a l l t h o s e t h i n g s t h a t t h e i n d i v i d u a l w o r k m a n c a n n o t d o .
– F r a n k L l o y d W r i g h t
T I F F A N Y L A M P
M O D E R N
H I S T O R I C A L
A M E R I C A N A R T S & C R A F T S
27
The modernized Cobra Chair was created
by C a r l o C o l u m b o who sought guidance from Bugatti ' s interior designer , Etienne
Salome . The shape of the cobra is stil l
present but the obvious " head " of the
cobra is disguised into the motif instead of
the form of the back of the chair itself . The
gap between the seat and the b ack of the
chair is stil l present and can stil l prevent
clothing from being wrinkled in today ' s
modern culture . I think that the essence of
the original cobra chair is present but this
modern take resembles much more of a
chair than the historical version .
The Cobra Chair , created by Carlo Bugatti ,
was given this name because the chair was
shaped l ike a cobra . The medallion on the
back of the chair featured Islamic motifs .
The intentional space left between the
back and seat of the chair was to
accommodate for men and women ' s long
clothing such as coattails and dresses .
A R T N O U V E A U
" T h e c r e a t i o n c o n t i n u e s
i n c e s s a n t l y t h r o u g h t h e m e d i a
o f m a n . "
– A n t o n i G a u d í
T H E C O B R A C H A I R
M O D E R N
H I S T O R I C A L 28
N o r t h S i s t e r ,
K A I D A N – D A N S U
M O D E R N
H I S T O R I C A L
I N T E R N A T I O N A L S T Y L E
D E S T I J L
A R T D E C O
Featured on I n t e r i o r D e s i g n , A r t G r o u p created a new interior for a Moscow Home with a
contemporary international style
aesthetic . There is certainly more
color integrated into this version .
However , there are stil l smooth
planes , minimal accessories , and
unadorned furniture . I personally
like this playful rendition of the
austere style ; although the walls
and ceilings are smooth , the
angles integrated into the space
bring interest into an otherwise
plain room .
The International Style
emphasized volume over mass ,
l ittle to no ornamentation , and
standardization of elements . The
Farnsworth House features
smooth flat ceilings , excessive
glass , leather furniture , and steel
tables .
I N T E R N A T I O N A L
S T Y L E
" A r c h i t e c t u r e i s t h e w i l l o f a n
e p o c h t r a n s l a t e d i n t o s p a c e . "
– L u d w i g M i e s v a n d e r R o h e
I N T E R I O R
M O D E R N
H I S T O R I C A L31
On the site H o m e D e s i g n i n g , the modern De Stijl home visualized by
D a r i a Z i n o v a t n a y a features subtler notes of the famed geometric and
primary color attributes . The 1927
design of Cafe Aubette showcases bold
triangles and integrates vivid colors .
The contemporary rendition opts for
sli ght variations from the primary color
palette . Darker tints make the space
more modern and inviting for a home .
The rug also adds more visual interest
with the addition of a variety of
geometric shapes . The tasteful stripe
in the ceiling is a wonderful touch that
provides another pop of color and
symmetrical l ine .
Characteristics of the De Stijl style are
strong horizontal and vertical l ines ,
geometric shapes , and an emphasis on
primary colors . Piet Mondrian and
Gerrit Rietveld are famous De Stijl
artistis that have greatly influenced De
Stijl interiors .
D E S T I J L
" A r c h i t e c t u r e b e l o n g s t o
c u l t u r e , n o t t o c i v i l i z a t i o n . "
– A l v a r A a l t o
" T H E S T Y L E "
M O D E R N
H I S T O R I C A L 32
I was surprised to see that the world –
famous rapper , Drake , had a Toronto
mansion styled in a contemporary art
deco style . His mansion exudes luxury ,
with all of its reflective surfaces , rich
marble , starburst chandelier , and
geometric glass panels . I think art deco
is a wonderful style that would suit the
lives of celebrities as it is known for its
gl amour .
Art Deco interiors are characterized by
rich colors , bold geometric forms ,
strong symmetry , and an overall
glamorous aesthetic . This style was
popular in the 1920s to 40s . Chevron
and starburst motifs were used often ,
while shiny materials such as mirrors ,
brass , metal , and polished wood were
used often in art deco spaces .
A R T D E C O
" T o c r e a t e , o n e m u s t f i r s t
q u e s t i o n e v e r y t h i n g . "
– E i l e e n G r a y
A R T S D E C O R A T I F S <
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