Other Blog Discussions: English Renaissance

The first blog that I looked at today was Lindsay's. I really liked how she focused on the Early Renaissance and talked about the different styles during that time and compared them to each other. I also looked at Natalie's blog. She talked a lot about the different designers and what they each contributed to the Neoclassical style during the Renaissance. I really liked how informative her blog was.

English Renaissance: Queen Anne Style

One of the most distinguishable and widely known design styles that originated during the English Renaissance was the Queen Anne style. It came about during the Middle Renaissance between 1660 and 1750. Although Queen Anne was neither interested or influential in the design of the period, it grew into the popular style it is today. It became known as the golden age of cabinet work and mahogany became the preferred wood of the time.

William Kent, the main designer from this period, was the first English architect to design furniture for specific interiors. He was inspired by both Palladian and Baroque concepts.



















The furniture started to take on new designs and it started to become lighter, smaller, and more comfortable. The chairs from this time had no carvings, only general shapes, padded seats, slots along the back, and a claw and ball foot. Both the Wing chair and the Windsor chair originated during this time as well as the card table. Wing chairs have remained popular and can still been seen frequently in modern design.

Historic Wing Chair

Modern Wing Chair

The Queen Anne style is still a very popular and well known style. Many times the features from this time can be seen in dining rooms. It makes a very elegant yet comfortable space.

 

Other Blog Discussions: French Renaissance

I looked at Katrina's blog today. She included a lot of really good pictures of the architecture, furniture, and modern applications of the Rococo style. She also explained the style very well and talked about it's influence on modern design.
I also looked at Kristina's blog. She showed examples of all of the French Renaissance styles and went into a lot of detail about the Baroque style. There were good pictures of the architecture and gardens from the time as well as modern applications.
Both blogs were very informative and fun to read.

French Renaissance Video

For more information in the Rococo style and the history of the time, watch this video!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M04Mo_KqJzo

French Renaissance: Rococo Style

The French Renaissance was made of various different styles, many which were a result of the style before it. The Rococo style, which took place form 1730-1760, followed the Regency style. It took place during Louis XV's reign and the beginning of Louis XVI's reign. Unprecedented economic growth and urbanization helped make the art of this time prevalent to all people.
The town mansions in Paris were known as hotels and had a strip of construction along the street that opened into a courtyard leading to the main part of the home. The homes started to become more private and comfortable featuring many halls, corridors, and secret rooms. The Salon was the center of all activity and hostesses competed to entertain the most important and prominent guests. The rooms took on a feminine feel with rounded corners, light and airy colors, fireplaces with marble frames, and frames pictures on the walls.

Furniture was important during this time and teams of workers that belonged to a certain guild were being formed. Pattern books also became popular allowing for the guilds to copy designs. For the first time, the common people, not monarchs, were creating the designs. Merchants were the key motivators of the furniture styles. The furniture took on a 3D appearance and was scaled to fit the body. It also retained the intimate style and cabriole leg. Popular furniture pieces from this time included the Tete-a-tete chair and the Bureau de Roi which was similar to a roll-top desk.



















This style remains popular and can still be seen influencing spaces and rooms in design today.