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.

ROMANESQUE

THIS TIME PERIOD WAS ESTABLISHED IN EUROPEAN REGIONS AFTER THE COLLAPSE OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. UNLIKE OTHER PERIODS, FEW PIECES OF FURNITURE AND ART SURVIVED FROM THIS CIVILIZATION. ONE OF THE MOST ICONIC SYMBOLS OF THIS TIME PERIOD WERE THE SEMI-CIRCULAR ARCHES.

THE "THRONE" AN X-FRAME CHAIR WAS VERY POPULAR DURING THIS ERA, THIS CHAIR EXISTED IN EGYPT, NUBIA AND GREECE. THIS CHAIR IS ALSO KNOWN AS THE DAGOBERT'S CHAIR.

A CURRENT APPLICATION FROM THIS CHAIR WOULD BE A FOLDING CHAIR, WHICH IS OFTEN USED FOR MILITARY CAMPAIGNS, OR ANY OTHER HOUSEHOLD USE. IT IS VERY POPULAR NOWADAYS BECAUSE IT IS VERY PORTABLE AND EASY TO UNFOLD.

ANOTHER VERY ICONIC CHAIR FROM THIS PERIOD IS THE CHARLEMAGNE'S THRONE. THIS CHAIR CONFERS AUTHORITY ON ITS USER BY ITS HEIGHT, MATERIAL AND SOCIAL CIRCUMSTANCES.

SOMETHING THAT I FOUND REALLY INTERESTING WAS HOW THEY WOULD HAND CARVED THE CHURCHES FACADES. NOT ONLY WERE THIS CARVINGS DECORATIVE BUT THESE ALSO REPRESENTED JESUS AND SALVATION. ROMANESQUE CHURCHES WERE DEVELOPED AFTER EARLY CHRISTIAN PLANS.

MEDIEVAL FURNITURE WAS CENTERED IN CHESTS, THESES WERE NOT ONLY USED FOR STORAGE BUT ALSO AS AN ARTICLE OF LUGGAGE. A CHEST WAS MEANT FOR STORING POSSESSIONS BUT IT WAS ALSO USED AS WORK SURFACES.

CURRENT APPLICATIONS FROM ABOVE:

MODERN CHEST

ROMANESQUE INSPIRED MODERN ARCHITECTURE

FROM JOHN'S BLOG: I REALLY ENJOYED THE VIDEO HE SHARED, THE VIDEO EXPLAINED THE ROMANESQUE ARCHES AND HOW THE COLUMNS AND FACADES WERE CARVED.

FROM KRISTINA P'S BLOG:  FIRST OF, I LIKE THE FORMAT OF HER BLOG, ITS VERY EASY TO NAVIGATE. SHE FOCUSED ON THE CHURCHES INTERIORS, AND HOW THE PRIMARY COLORS THAT WERE USED FOR THE INTERIOR DECORATION WERE DARK GREENS, PURPLES, BLUES AND GOLD.

POMPEII

Roman houses were decorated with wall paintings, these were done on wet plaster, and they were categorized into four techniques.

The first style, painted stucco mimics other materials such as stone, and marble. The french phrase "Trompe l'oeil" means "Trick of the Eye" refers to this approach of wall decor.

The second style, mimics architectural construction such as columns, entablatures and arches. The color palette is similar to the Minoans and Greeks, including the most popular color which was red, also known as "Pompeian red".

The third style, shows an increasing amount of pictorial sophistication and the architecture represented is more fantastic, the frescoes shoe images of the architecture. There are attenuated columns, garland birds and vegetation, sometimes even framed painted within the painted scenarios.

The fourth style, is associated with the reign of Claudius, wall paintings were representational and often featured large scenes and panoramic vistas.

WHAT HAPPENED TO POMPEII?

Pompeii is an Ancient Roman city in Italy, in August 24th, 79 A.D the eruption of Vesuvius, located on the Bay of Naples, Italy, caught the local population unprepared.

This volcano is hundreds of thousands years old and has erupted more than 50 times in the past 2,000 years. The eruption in 79 A.D buried the ancient Roman city of Pompeii under a thick layer of volcanic ash which is estimated it was 16 ft deep. It is believed that the eruption measured 12 miles high and it the ash was 1300°. 

The eruption lasted approximately 24 hours and the devastation covered more than 200 squared miles. About a third of the city remains buried.

Two thousands people died, the city was abandoned until a group of explorers rediscovered the site in 1748. Many people say that the excavation of Pompeii played a major role in the neo-Classical revival of the 18th century. Today, the excavation of Pompeii has been going on for almost three centuries.

Two thousands people died, the city was abandoned until a group of explorers rediscovered the site in 1748. Many people say that the excavation of Pompeii played a major role in the neo-Classical revival of the 18th century. Today, the excavation of Pompeii has been going on for almost three centuries.

The following video explains briefly what happened to Pompeii
Deconstructing History: Pompeii

FROM KATIE'S BLOG: I REALLY LIKED THE PICTURES SHE INCLUDED, AND I FOUND VERY INTERESTING THE PART THAT POMPEII HAD INFLUENCE IN DESIGN IN THE 18TH CENTURY.
FROM KATRINA'S BLOG: FROM HER BLOG I LEARNED THAT POMPEII WAS REDISCOVERED BY ROCQUE JOAQUIN DE ALCUBIERRE, IN 1748.