The switch from admiring man created design to the admiration of the natural world happen toward the end of the grand tour era. The pilgrims flocked to the spectacular cave on Antiparos Island and the Sea of Ice in the Alps.
When the camera spanned the magnificent formations in the cave I thought of a statement made by the great artist Cezanne; ‘I proceed to a logical development of what I see in nature’ I also thought of the brilliant interior spaces of the Alhambra Palace (Citadel) in Granada Spain. The palace was built in the 13 hundreds by the Moors.
You can hopefully see what I mean by the images in this blog.
The main feature of Moorish architecture is the horseshoe-shaped arch. Later the shaped changed to become slightly pointed at the top. This shape in turn developed into other forms such as the poly-lobed arch which is made up of a number of smaller arches. The detailed architecture and decoration reminds me of the cave on Antiparos.
I must admit the Gothic architecture in the Victorian era is not too my taste. I prefer the classical styles. However I can appreciate some of the enchanting designs of the Victorian era.
When Kevin mentioned William Turner I did wonder off. I just love Turners work. He certainly was ahead of his time. His wonderful misty atmospheric paintings did inspire many later artists.
Well that’s the end of the grand tour some of you may be please. I would like it have continued. I did complain to my husband that the shows I like don’t last very long. If that’s all I have to complain about I had best not complain.
What a great end to the Grand Tour. Lots of memories tumbled through my brain as I watched Kevin on his last adventure of his grand tour. I have this terrible habit of finding a song in everything. In the middle of a TV show or a conversation a song will pop into my head. For example when someone says time to go home I start to sing the theme song from Andy Pandy the old TV show ‘Time to go home time to go home Andy is waving goodbye…’ Then the song will get stuck in my head and I can’t help but sing it.
Golden Daffodils
When Kevin mentioned William Wordsworth I could not get his poem ‘I wandered Lonely as a Cloud’ out of my head. The only problem was I could not remember all the words. So I then had to go and find the words. It can be so easy to get wonderfully distracted.
I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud (first verse only)
I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils,
Beside the lake, beneath the trees
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
William Wordsworth
Classical Greek Buildings
Straight lines dominate the post and lintel constructed Greek buildings. The entablature contains the cornice, frieze and architrave. Columns are made up of the capital, the shaft and the base. The Greeks followed strict mathematical rules. All the measurements used by the architects such as the height of a column were expressed in multiples of the diameter at the base of the shaft.
Each order had rules concerning the size of the component parts. The Doric column is between four and six times the diameter of its base. The height of the Ionic column is nine times the diameter of its base. The Corinthian column is ten times the diameter of its base.
I was amazed years ago to discover Greek buildings had originally been brightly coloured.
I wonder how all the copies of the Classical Greek style of buildings around the world would have been interpreted if the colours used for the original buildings had been known. What do you think?
Will finish the discussion on Kevin’s Grand Tour in the next blog
The influence of ancient Rome and the Roman Empire on Western architecture and interiors can’t be under estimated. I was at Art College studying visual art when as a group we visited an exhibition from the city of Pompeii. The colours used in the interior decorations were spectacular. My favorite design style at the time and continues to be classic modern. My paintings abstract. I was not into period design at all.
But this exhibition impressed me. Over the years I have come to appreciate the wonderful designs of the past. The eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79 buried the town of Pompeii in lava. As a result the town was buried until 1748. Since then this Roman town situated not far from Naples has continued to be excavated. The brilliant treasures discovered have given a clear picture of the structure of and what it would be like to live in a Roman town.
The excavations have exposed theaters, temples, shrines, baths, fountains and meat markets. A number of private houses and shops are now also on view.
In Roman buildings rounded arches and classical orders were a dominant feature. Greek influences are unmistakable. So Kevin this week is off to Greece. What a great privilege it is to encounter all the wonders of the past from my comfy sofa. The wonder of technology. I heard the other day students entering their first year of university have never known a life without computers, mobile phones and many other modern gadgets.
Irish Joke Due to an unfortunate error, the wrong name appeared in a death notice in the morning paper. When the man alleged to be dead read the notice he was very annoyed and rang the editor. ‘I’ve just read my death notice in your paper’ he said. ‘Really’ the editor replied, ‘and where are you ringing from’
The rich and luxurious interiors of Renaissance Italy were unbelievable. The walls were decorated with frescos by the great artists of the day. Ceilings were nearly always gilded and boldly carved. The floors were inlaid with marble. Oriental rugs were used on tables and sometimes hung on walls but not often used on the floor.
Opulent fabrics damask, velvet and silk brocade added to the richness of the atmosphere. Furniture was limited. The large gilt beds had curtains of crimson silk and sheets hemmed with gold tread. Dinning tables were very simple boards and trestles covered with damask cloth, velvet or oriental rugs.
Italian homes did not have a room set aside for dining. The table and rarely upholstered chairs were moved from room to room. In the memoirs of a Sicilian Prince he remarked it was his practice to dine in whatever room he fancied. He apparently did this until his death in 1957.
Brass nails were used to attach fabric to the roughly made table and chairs. Cassone is a chest or coffer made in Italy in the 15th and 16th centuries. A credenze or sideboard was also one of the few pieces of furniture used at this time.
All in all Renaissance Italy was a feast for the eyes and the grand tour visitors had difficulty finding the words to fully describe the wonders of Italy.
'The aim of every artist is to arrest motion, which is
life, by artificial means and hold it fixed so that a
hundred years later, when a stranger looks at it, it
Florence the birth place of Renaissance architecture would be a wonderful place to visit. We did visit Italy but only had time to tour Northern Italy. We travelled from Northern Germany and visited Austria along the way. I remember my mother quickly working out each currency. Salzburg was delightful. The Alps were beautiful awesome yet terrifying, the roads so narrow and the car horns deafening. We had a wonderful time.
It’s nearly time to watch Kevin McCloud as he continues his journey. I am still thinking about last week’s program. I have discovered he has written a handbook to go with the series. But I am not going to be tempted to buy it until I have finished reading a number of other books on my book list. I went through the book 1000 Books You Should Read before You Die in January and have made a very long list from the recommended books. Now back to Renaissance era.
Roman Architect’s Book Found in 15th Century
Vitruvius the architect and engineer who served Emperor Augustus wrote a ten volume work. In these books he gave detailed information on the different styles used by the Roman architects. This book was rediscovered in the 15th century. Vitruvius’ rules governing correct proportion and other requirements were then accepted as an authority on how building should be constructed. The great architects of the Renaissance were greatly influenced by the ten volumes.
Roman Arch Vault Gable and Columns Copied
Exact copies of the ancient Roman buildings were not created but the rules and outward forms were observed. The Roman arch, the vault, the gable and the five Roman orders Tuscan, Doric, Corinthian and Composite were incorporated into Renaissance buildings.
2 Main Periods Early and High
Some suggested renaissance architecture can be divided into two main periods; the early Renaissance in 15th century and high Renaissance in 16th century. Roman ornamentation of buildings is a feature of the 15th century. During the 16th century the Roman influence extended to the structure of buildings.
Renaissance palaces were very different from Medieval castles. They were not designed to be defended against attack. They were created for entertainment and fine living. The ground floor windows however were small and covered with a grille to prevent theft. The iron work was based on Roman motifs. The windows on the other floors were larger and more ornate.
Homes of Florence
The styles of the stately houses of Florence were influenced by the Roman amphitheatre with arches and plasters. The ground floor walls are formed with large blocks of stone. Windows often consisted of a single arch enclosing two openings separated by a single column. Later windows tended to be rectangular surrounded by mouldings with consoles a pediment above. Sometimes windows had curved pediments some had pointed pediments. In some buildings windows with curved then pointed pediments were alternated.
Statues For Niches and Roman Columns Doric, Ionic and Corinthian
Doors usually had pediments above and columns with an entablature on either side. A dominating feature of Renaissance buildings is the cornices. The facades of buildings were decorated with rows of pilasters between the windows. The bottom row is Doric, the one above Ionic and the top row Corinthian. Niches for statues, a fountain and delicate arcades are found in the courtyard.
Painted ceilings
Ceilings are either vaulted or flat and decorated with paintings or panel work. Rooms are interconnected with only few corridors. During the Renaissance one individual architect would design the gardens as well as the house. Some like da Vinci and Michelangelo worked as painters, sculptors, architects and inventors.
Next blog and then there are the wonderful Renaissance interiors
When I made this post I forgot to acknowledge theInternational Colour Authority for the above information. If you go to the ICA website http://www.colourforecasting.comyou will find colour forecasting publications. To get an idea of what is in the publications you can view an extract.
In the Sunday Herald last week US based interior designer Kathryn Ireland stated the biggest trend is to create barn styled homes. She also said less is more is still very much in fashion. Other designers are quoted as saying homes of the future will be open plan with fewer rooms. The kitchen living room with the kitchen looking more like a living rather than a utility room is a popular trend. People want easy of living and comfort. Deep soft sofas to provide super comfort will be in vogue to provide this desire for comfort.
Barn like living
Steven Mendel predicts furniture will have more storage space. For example ottomans will have space for books and tables will have hidden cavities for storage. Eco friendly furniture will be in demand as well as recycled furniture. The article summaries the trend as:
• Homes with barn-like rustic charm • One-off pieces • Versatile kitchen hutches • Pre-loved furniture • Outdoor lounges • Recycled chairs and tables • Furniture with storage cavities
All of the above trends have been slowly coming into vogue. I have noted this in new homes; kitchen, living, meals area and rumpus room all open to each other. Formal living and dining rooms have been out of favour for a number of years.
The wonderful world of design is constantly revisiting and developing a new solution to the styles and design of the past. Trends come and go so quickly now people can find it hard to keep up. Even designers can find it hard to stay up to speed.
Kate Thompson of Recreate is a supplier of recycled furniture to Sample Board Online. Her funky designs give everyday objects a new lease of life. A tin tub becomes an ottoman using floral linen fabric. Suitcases become a chair and side table. Milk bottles are transformed into lamps and an old typewriter also becomes a lamp. Old tin buckets are reclaimed to become stools.
"It is the pervading law of all things organic... of all true manifestations of the head, of the heart, of the soul, that life is recognizable in its expression, that form ever follows function.” Louis Sullivan
Designer in raptures over the Sample Board Online concept, today I presented the eco friendly, cost effective Sample Board Online design tool to the busiest designer in town. Rebecca was absolutely convinced the Sample Board Online concept was a real winner. She was so impressed she wanted to approach the suppliers she uses to invite them on board.
SBO will save her time, energy and money
This lovely lady said the SBO tool would save her time, energy and in the long run money. She was delighted with the professional looking boards created on the SBO site. Some suppliers in Australia have been a little bit reluctant to be the first to come on board. This is slowly turning around. Soon we will have an avalanche of suppliers wanting to come on board SBO.
Eco friendly electronic design tool
Eco friendly, professional boards can be so easily created on The Sample Board Online website. The fact that the board can also act as a specification sheet is an added bonus. SBO will truly become the designers one stop shop. Designers encourage your suppliers to come on board. Rebecca said I want to use this brilliant tool I want the suppliers I use to embrace the excellent SBO electronic tool and come on board.
And it acts as a specification sheet as well
“Good design at least part of the time, includes the criteria of being direct in relation to the problem at hand – not obscure, trendy, or stylish. A new language, visual or verbal, must be couched in a language that is already understood.”
The wonderful interior design trend of mixing old and new was a No No in the 1960’s. I lived in England during the swinging 60’s. One of my favourite pieces of clothing was a black Mary Quant mini coat. In my early teens I thought my ankle high white boots teamed with grey stockings were mod or wicked as the young ones would say now. But I am getting ahead of myself. The style of the 60’s is for another time.
Visiting old castles fanned my love of history. It was at Bolton castle I first heard the story of Mary Queen of Scots. I imagined myself as a prisoner in the cold damp dark castle. I have been fascinated with Mary’s story ever since. I have read many a book and watch every movie I could get my hands on about Mary.
A few years ago while doing some family research I found one of my ancestors was a bishop present at the christening of Mary’s son James VI of Scotland who became James I of England. This I found amazing. At the same time I also discovered one of my great great grandfathers had died in the Richmond workhouse. I am rambling again.
The conflict between new and old was very evident in the 60’s. I felt the conflict the music, fashions and art of the 60’s on one side and the romantic notions of the past on the other. I craved the new but felt the pull of the ancient.
All this was often on in my mind as I climbed the hill leading from Richmond market square to school. Walking past the beautiful Georgian buildings and older cottages along the cobbled streets seemed to encourage this.
The furniture of Chippendale, Sheraton and Hepplewhite, The Chinoiserie influence along with Wedgwood ceramics all made a stamp on the elegant interiors of Georgian homes.
John Pile in his book ‘A History of Interior Design’ states
“The Georgian era of English design has become one of the most admired of all the historic periods. It is a period in which consistency of character, order and logic in concepts and elegance and restraint in detail became widely accepted by architects, builders and craftsmen so that a sense of unity extends from the largest works to simplicity of the modest terrace houses.”
