ISLAMIC

Islamic design was centered on religion. Islam is spread in to Africa, Europe and Asia. This is the reason why this period is classified into several different regions such as:

-Mesopotamia

-North Africa

-Saharan Africa

-Spain

-Anatolia

The decoration motifs used for interior and exterior are different for each region. This motifs can vary from flowers, to geometrical shapes.

Mosques are very well known from this period. Designers of Islamic mosques were inspired to work within classical architectural languages, and often they reused the ruins and incorporated Roman columns and capitals.

The Islamic arch is pointed like a Gothic arch but its hemispherical shape exceeds 180 degrees, it resembles a horseshoe.

Sitting, kneeling and lying on the ground were means of repose, this is the reason why they created carpets, mats and pillows in order to make this activities more enjoyable. Chairs were in fact used as a meaning of national exchange, and they were known as a matter of status and cultural identification.

  

Islamic design was very influential in today architecture. Many different materials and motifs are currently used in modern architecture. The iconic colors used in this period were warm colors such as oranges, reds, browns and yellows, with a combination of cool colors for details. Gold was also used during this period for details and accentuation.

Islamic Arch

Islamic inspired interior design

Geometric motifs, and utilization of warm contrasting colors

FROM KRISTINA'S BLOG: I liked how she explained the main components of the "blue Mosque" and also how she compared the motifs used back then and how are they used in actuality.

FROM LESLIE'S BLOG: What I learned from her blog was that Muqarnas are a type of architectural decoration applied on domes, pendentives or cornices and these are made out of wood, stucco or stone.