The Americans

While I was interning at dream kitchens a couple years ago I had a lot of experience with the shaker design. We used this design for a lot of different customers both further bathrooms as well as kitchens. I think the reason it is so popular is because it is a very simple and affordable design that still has the high-quality look to it.  This style has been popular for a while, and still is common today! 

I think that the fast passed world that we live in has much to do with the machine production of interiors. I think that the extensive detail and precision has faded away 

 Extra credit: http://youtu.be/t0WdpSapSmQ

English Renaissance

applications:




modern applications:




extra credit: http://www.thecultureconcept.com/circle/thomas-chippendale-eighteenth-century-english-furniture

French Rococo

While learning about the French Renaissance the Rococo style really stood out to me (and not just because it it fun to say! They started paying more attention to a more comfortable and private living style, while focusing less on the exteriors. One of my favorite things about this time was the secret rooms. These were hidden rooms that you would enter though the back of a wardrobe or an opening in the paneling.
 Examples:






Modern day:
Seen often in luxurious hotels or mansion type homes

secret rooms are becoming popular again

Extra Credit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_dwEbF-NiI

Italian Renaissance

When learning about the Italian Renaissance, the Dante Chair really stood out to me. Its X design was very unique.It also is able to fold. Originally this chair's base and back were made out of leather. After this original design there were many different versions that were created.
Italian Renaissance
Modern Style

Some of the most common materials to use during this era were brick and stone, which are both used today.



Extra Credit:This video gives a lot of information about Renaissance. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s29QCZCCJ-g

The Americas

To me, the most interesting location from this era would have to be Machu Picchu. My Mom and Aunt visited this site a few years ago, looking at their pictures and hearing their stories was incredible. The climb to the top was a very narrow pathway, with MANY MANY stairs. There were such incredible views and architecture.



The stone cutting amazes me here! The steps and features are all so well-planned out,  would love to be able to travel back in time to see how they were able to do such architecture. Some of these stones weigh more than 20 tons. In order to cut and stack these stones so precisely they much have had some sort of sophisticated technology!


Extra Credit: This clip gives a nice in-site into Macchu Picchu
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IUj2BIiUQw 

Today's applications:

You can see the stacking of stones in this fireplace wall, also used at Macchu Picchu. 

Modern forms of utilitarian pottery, also seen with Teotihuacan.

Romanesque

My favorite design aspect from the Romanesque era would have to be the castle-like homes that the wealthy lived in.The same features that are seen in large churches are seen in some of these houses.



 Extra Credit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bYua4BFfiA
This video gives a wonderful tour of both the inside and outside detailing. 

During this time period the use of chests were very important. Many families would have noting but a chest that they carried around with them which held their most important belongings. These chests varied by style. Some even had feet to raise the chest off the ground. This would aid in protecting the chest away from the cold and wet floors. To this day we use chests. I know many families, mine being one of them, who have a chest to contain all of there family heirlooms. When I was a kid I would refer to this as the treasure chest and love to be able to put my most valued school projects in here to save.

Early Christian

One of the most important parts of the Early Christian era was the socializing of baths. There were many different steps to this process, and it was a highly treasured time. Bathing was not only for keeping clean, this was also a social event. Many rituals were performing during the bathing process.


Extra Credit: This book takes an in depth look into the process of this social bathing.  http://www.cambridge.org/us/academic/subjects/classical-studies/classical-art-and-architecture/bathing-roman-world 

A very important site from Early Christian time is the Catacombs of San Callisto. This started as a private underground burial site for Christians, and grew into much more. There were various expansions for the Catacombs of San Callisto, adding in socializing areas and sleeping areas as well. There is much still unknown about this site.


Extra Credit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yheeDzwQrOU this video gives a lot of good background information on the Catacombs

The architecture, as well as motifs, from this this is often still seen today especially in our churches.

Ancient Rome

While learning about Ancient Rome the one design aspect that stuck out the most to me was their furniture. They had various furniture pieces, many were mufti-functional. Although similar in structure, the Roman furniture was much more elaborate than that of the Greek. Ancient Rome had both built in furniture pieces as well as stand alone. Romans used mostly marble slabs or cypress wood for their furniture. As you will see, many of Rome's furniture designs are still seen in today's design world, with just a few modernizations.



Rome is most known for this couch. This was often used for dining at as well as at night for sleeping. This furniture piece is often duplicated in today's applications as seen below.


One of Rome's more elaborate designs was the sella curulis chair. This was a spin-off of the basic stool.


Today we often see this stool used as an accent piece in a room.

Ancient Greek

One of the most interesting design aspect I found while researching Ancient Greek was their plasterings and mosaic designs. This era was focusing on the beauty of their environment while still telling an important story.


This is an image of one of the many mosaic floor designs.

I also really enjoyed the immense amount of detail put into the orders.
  



Both of these design aspects are seen in today's applications still.


This mosaic is seen in a modern day bathroom

Often the orders are seen on large government buildings. 

Pre-historic

I think it is very interesting to see that even in the prehistoric times people were still concerned with meeting all of the steps in Maslow's hierarchy of needs. A sense of community is shown at Skara Brae with the tunnels connecting each individual area. Meeting the basic needs was of course also important. This was shown by the location of Skara Brae. The men who lived there were farmers, they had to be close to wildlife and water in order to hunt and fish.

Stonehenge is one of the most famous mystery locations. The most interesting thing I found out about this site is that the sun (and moon) perfecting line up with the opening of the rocks.



In the prehistoric times there was a very basic starting of furniture, mostly made of stone. Some examples of these furniture pieces were seen at Skara Brae with their shelving areas and stone beds.





In today's applications we still see the prehistoric design elements. One example of with is very similar to the stacking of stones at Skara Brae to create a statement wall.




This next example shows he modern day cave to have the prehistoric feel in today's home.