INT331MV

The Rise of the Interior Decorator During this time the World’s Fair started to recognize and categorize the difference between a functionalist and a decorator. According to our text, a functionalist focused on the form and theory of a structure. A decorator chooses decorations such as furniture, colors, textures, and any object that would occupy a space. Since then, the term interior designer was born to differentiate the roles of an architect and interior designer. Interior decorators oversaw choosing appropriate furnishings that fit the needs of the home and a client, who were mostly wealthy upper class. Three designers we focused on this week are Elsie de Wolfe, Dorothy Draper, and Billy Baldwin. Elsie de Wolfe was an American actress who changed her career path to follow her passion for designing. Throughout her career, she designed many homes and published “The House of Good Taste.” She built her style based on the needs of a client because she believed a home should reflect...

Art Deco As we move along in the interior design world, we come to a point around 1925 where some wanted to continue the modern style, while others wanted to pay tribute to characteristics that are seen in Art Nouveau. Due to this conflict, the Art Deco era was born and harnessed both modernism through modern building materials, and styles that ruled before modernism, such as art nouveau, through decoration.  One of the biggest influences on the Art Deco style was the Industrial Revolution. The use of modern building materials allowed for buildings to be larger and taller. Furniture of the art deco style reflects these skyscraper skylines through stepping profiles and zig-zag details all while also using modern materials to construct the furniture, such as tables, sofas, and lamps.  After studying designers of this time such as Michel Roux-Spitz, Jean Dunand, Jean Michel Frank, and many more, I noticed a trend in their approach to design. Most of the furniture designs show cha...

 The Emergence of Modernism This week we learned that the emergence of modernism began in the early 1900s. Modernism was needed at the turn of the century and possible to be done through the technological advances that were introduced at this time. This daunting style took off following World War I, which in my opinion, gave a new fresh outlook for people to enjoy after a long treacherous war. With this new look, many people could leave the war in the past and start a new refreshing life with a different interesting design style. A major influence of the modern style, which we have the honor to visit some of his most famous pieces of work, is Frank Lloyd Wright. Wright is much like John Hughes: a creator that Chicago is known for and will always be associated with. Born and raised in the Midwest, Wright has designed many residential homes in the Chicago land area. These homes include the Winslow House, the Prairie House, the Robie House, and public spaces like Unity Temple. His...