The Ameriacn Periods

The American Period is made up of the Georgian Period, Federal Period, Greek Revival Period, and the Victorian Period.  The Georgian Period took place between 1720-1790 and focused on mimicking the styles of Queen Anne, Hepplewhite and Sheraton.  The Federal Period took place between 1790-1820 and was influenced by the styles of Adam, Hepplewhite and Sheraton.  The Greek Revival Period took place between 1820-1860 and focused on "temple" style architecture, English Regency and French Empire furniture.  Lastly, the Victorian Period took place between 1840-1880 and had Romanesque, Gothic, Mansart and Louis XV influence.




My favorite style of this period is the American Victorian Period.  This period was named after Queen Victoria.  During this time, the architecture was elaborate, romantic and emotional and because of this, the American people modeled themselves after these factors in décor, dress and mannerisms. Architecture and design was a direct relation to the amount of money that owners had.  Victorian houses were large with many smaller rooms throughout with each room having a particular function. 










Rooms were dark with thick, heavy drapery, dark wood and most commonly had wood floors.  There were generally two staircases for visitors and one for servants and children.  In relation to this,  the front of the house was to impress the visitors while the back of the house was for the families. 








Victorian characteristics were very prominent.  There were many various styles that became technical and intricate.  Machines could now carve, shape, stamp and emboss which meant
furniture was more detailed.  On chairs, legs became shorter, seats thicker, deeper and crowned in the middle.  Button tufting became more popular as well as oval or horseshoe-shaped backs. Tables commonly had marble tops, beds had head and footboards and couches had soft curves.
John Belter and Charles Lock Eastlake were two popular people and styles that emerged. Belters' furniture was very luxurious with carvings. Eastlake had plain furniture with simple construction and natural woods.





Here is a short video of beautiful Victorian style homes. ENJOY!

Modern Day Applications:

English Period Discussion

I looked at Katrina's blog and I like how she posted a little bit about the early, middle and late renaissance.  I learned that Adam style characteristics, sunken wall panels and decorated ceilings were all seen throughout this time period.  I also looked at Samantha's blog.  I liked her video that compared and contrasted the old style to the new.  I also like how she used another resource to go into more depth about how the English style was similar to the French.


You can view their blogs here:

Katrina: http://www.katrinawoolridge.blogspot.com/
Samantha: http://www.history1skf.blogspot.com/

English Period - Middle Renaissance

The Middle English Renaissance took place between the years of 1660-1750.  After the Great Fire of 1666, Sir Christopher Wren set new standards of design considered to be Baroque urban design.  Wren was one of the most celebrated English architects of all time.  These standards were influenced from the French Baroque design period.  Wren specified the standards for housing such as wall thickness, floor heights, and materials.  One of his greatest designs was St. Paul's Cathedral.

Another influential couple of the English period was Mary and William III.  Like Sir Christopher Wren, they also set new standards, but for furniture.  Comfort was an important factor for these new standards and upholstery showed up for the first time. 

Some features that were altered or changed

 during this Age of Walnut were:

- Straight turned leg or cup turned legs

- Low, horizontal X-stretcher was common

- Curved cross

- Ball feet/ Claw feet

- Veneers Perfected

- Marquetry

- Oriental influence

- English Oak replaced with Walnut

William Kent and Queen Anne were two other people who made an impact on the interior design community of this time.  Kent was a painter, architect and designer who was the first English architect to design furniture for specific interiors.  He focused on up scale classical decoration while Queen Anne used Chinese furniture.  Mahogany became an easier wood to work with than walnut creating the Age of Mahogany in the middle years of the 18th century. Lastly, there were four furniture designers that revolutionized the furniture industry; Thomas Chippendale, Adam, Hepplewhite and Sheraton.

  

The William Kent Room at The Ritz                                    Queen Anne Chair (Cabriole Leg)




Here is a short video describing Queen Anne's furniture styling:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6Hmlwlx9rM

English Style Interiors Today:



French Period Discussion

For the French period, I looked at Megan S' blog.  I like how we talked about similar attributes of the French period, yet I learned some new things as well. She talked about the Salon de la familie and how it is a statement space and uses lots of bright colors and ornamentation.  I also looked at Kristina M's blog.  It was interesting how she started out by showing a picture from each of the styles during the French Period.  It allowed me to see a difference yet a similarity between the bunch.  I also learned that the Vaux-le-Vicomte was designed to test materials and design styles before the Palais de Versailles was built.  Also, it was easy to see a difference in style from her Then and Now picture comparisons. 


You can view their blogs here:
Megan S: http://www.history1mes.blogspot.com/
Kristina: http://www.kmichelsenfcs338.blogspot.com/

French Baroque

For this blog post, I want to focus on one part of the Baroque style that caught my attention the most.  The Palais de Versailles made a huge impact on many people and after learning about it, I can see why.  It was originally a hunting lodge for Louis X111 that house 10,000 people designed by Louis Le Vau. The Palais had many different architectural elements throughout such as, classical architecture and decoration, the classic orders, 15' ceilings and 11' doors, symmetrical designs (real doors matched with fake doors) and had balanced windows and mirrors. 





 Going along with all of these features, colorful architecture was also a main aspect of the interior of Versailles.  Paintings, tapestries, columns and rugs were normally very vibrant in color.  Most of the rooms in the palace were all very large and dignified, always making a statement. 




The Palais of Versailles garden was a main feature of the grounds.  The gardens were an attempt to recreate ancient Roman villas.  It was made to tie the outside to the inside with many reflecting pools projecting images of the building onto the water.  It also contained advancing and receding planes, floor levels of the Palais were visible on the exterior and had many sculptured figures.

If you would like to see more of the Palais de Versailles, watch the video below that takes you on a virtual tour. Enjoy!

 

Baroque furniture was very different compared to past eras I have blogged about.  Marquetry was a style of furniture that had a very complicated process.  Andre Charles Boulle was a master at this art.  He was also famous for his elaborate armoires.  Materials to make these armoires and other Baroque furniture was imported from China and Japan.  Louis XIV chairs were popular as well s he took inspiration from the sedia chair.  They had curved arms, heavy on the upholstery, the seat leaned back and the legs were carved.  The Bergere chair was introduced at this point in time as well still see forms of this chair to this day. 

Andre Charles Boulle Console

Louis XIV Chair

                                       


Modern Day Applications of Baroque style: