Pages

Subscribe:

Ads 468x60px

Featured Posts

Sunday 4 March 2012

Furniture in History - Italian Renaissance

Italian Renaissance



After the plague, in the 14th century, Medieval Europe was divided into separated countries.  They were ruled by king and bishops. The kings financed the exploration of new lands. These countries were becoming richer and more prosperous.  During the Early Renaissance, in the half of 15th century, there was an enormous change in arts, paintings, sculptures, architecture and furniture.

This period was know as the intellectual period, with splendid ceremonies and parades. Florence was the capital of Renaissance culture and a very wealthy city, due to baking and commerce.  Florence and other Italian cities looked to classical Rome as a model. And the rebirth of classical culture begins.

People in Italy began to build enormous town homes and pallazi and they filled their homes with art work, furniture and objects that reflected their status.

The furniture in that time had ecclesiastic and Roman influence, and some Gothic Influence was still present. One of the most important features of the Italian Renaissance furniture is that they were often massive and highly decorated.  The most common woods used for furniture was walnut, pine, cypress, chestnut, elm and poplar.  They were decorated with marquetry and inlays of ivory, stones, ebony, and grotesque carvings. The use of columns, common in Greek and Roman buildings were now being used in furniture design. 

Relief ornament using carving was the most common way to embellish the furniture during the 16th century.  Pastiglia and certosina also became very popular in this period. After the 15th century, turning became very popular and had a highly decorative value in the Italian Renaissance furniture. Finials, bedposts and some furniture legs were often turned.

During the Renaissance, the chair, once a symbol of status and power underwent  a process of democratization, and now became accessible to anyone.




Cassone

Dante Chair
Sgabello Chair

                  
The X-chairs, derived from the Roman curule and was the most common piece of furniture.  It was made of two pairs of short beans intersecting at a central joint and linked to a stretcher.  These chairs were known as the savonarola chairs. Often upholstered in velvet or leather, light weighted and portable. Other famous seating was the the Sgabello chair, with a octagonal seat over a solid trestle support and a tall back.

The cassapanca, was a combination of chest and seats. Solid, massive and rectangular this piece was often mounted in a dais. The hinged lid served as the seats. 

The most important piece used for storage during the Italian Renaissance was the cassone. It was also know as the marriage chest.  The side panels were usually covered with colored or gilded gesso built into reliefs, classical figures and scenes. It was also common to be painted by a fine artist or carved. 

The credenza, a rectangular movable storage also became an important piece of furniture. It often had a oblong top over a frieze, and two or three drawers, over two or three doors.

An famous item found inside most of Italian houses was the long, rectangular table. Massive and highly decorated, with a long stretcher between the end supports.  They also has center tables, with round, hexagonal or octagonal tops.  The bases were usually columnar, baluster or pedestal. They were used in the center of the room, or in occasional events.

The bed, also known as letto, was in a rectangular form with paneled head and footboards.  They used textile treatments in their beds to protect people against insects and cold weather.

The Italian Renaissance furniture were decorated with care, they paid extreme attention to details.  Proportion was perfect and the classical purity was clearly reflected in the details. 
Photos:http://lwooddesigns.wordpress.com


By Fernanda Reis

What is Country Style?

A point form research I made about Country Style. Country is a very wide-ranging style, it depends on the geographical location but it is exemplified by primitive furniture, muted colors, natural elements and textures and vintage fabrics.

  • Country style has a welcoming feeling, it sends out a subliminal message inviting the 

people to come in to your house and be comfortable.

  • The country look has a mixture of handmade things; hand-hooked rugs, quilts, knitting, 

embroidery and applique work that soften the hard edges of wooden stools and 

benches.

  • Some of the country style furniture can be rough, but it combines with the loved and 

polished antiques.

  • The country style schemes are mellow and the textures are natural.

  • New furniture sits well along with the older ones, as long as the colours and style are in 

harmony.

  • When choosing fabrics for this style, take your inspiration from quilts, rugs, weaving 

and tapestries.

  • Choose colours that are related with the nature; rust, straw, earth and pebbles, and 

the blue sky.

  • Country materials come from natural sources - trees, plants, animals and the earth.

  • Loose woven or knitted throws are a great option to soften chairs.

  • Wood makes the interior feel warmer.

  • Country patterns includes hearts, flowers, sun, trees, farm animals and others. 

Choose anything that celebrates nature’s bounty.

  • Country style homes put emphasis equally in comfort and practicality.




Photos: http://www.thelennoxx.com



By Fernanda Reis

What is Traditional Style?

A point form research I made of what the traditional style is. Beautiful and classic, the traditional style is a combination of Rococo, Baroque, Neoclassic, Empire and Regency styles.
  • Traditional style is very calming, comforting and classic.

  • The furniture is classic and some people may feel that it is outdated. All pieces 

matches and are consistent.

  • There is nothing out of place. Everything is in the same style, and usually furniture is 

placed in pairs.

  • Modern and eclectic pieces have no room in a traditional space. 

  • Patterns in a traditional interior are florals, plain, colours, muted plates, stripes, 

geometric, tone-on-tone and small patterns.

  • The furniture will often have a mix of straight and curved lines. It also may contain 

some carving details.

  • The trim in a traditional home will most likely to be painted glossy white.  Crown 

molding is very common and adds to the formal look.

  • Accessories include urns, pairs of lamps, plants, mirrors, framed prints, china vases, 

books all arranged in balanced symmetry.

  • Window coverings are narrow shutters, traverse draperies and under treatments of 

pinch pleated sheers.

  • Colours are peach, green, balanced tones.  It can be enhanced with bronze accents

 and warm wood tones.

Photos: http://www.thelennoxx.com


By Fernanda Reis