Arts & Crafts

  Mid Century modernism focused on flat roofs, angular details, and asymmetrical profiles. Architects started to open up the floor plans as well and were the first to use bi-level structures. Some color schemes that were the most popular with this style were earthy tones like mustard, greens, oranges, browns, and grays. As for furnishings, it was common to include plastics, laminates, and fiberglass to release creativity. One of the architects from this time, Joseph Euchler was a real-estate developer who developed mid-century tract housing subdivisions for American families. He included post and beam construction, open floor plans, glass walls, and concrete floors, with low or no slope roofs. One thing that stood out to me about his buildings was the ceiling windows he included that would allow even more natural light and an amazing view from inside. Furniture and décor such as clocks, grew a lot and became more sculptural and molded materials that were then painted using primary ...

 The modernism movement started in Germany and France and spread after World War 2. Many of the founders of this movement fled from European countries to Britain or America due to the wars. Before the war, modernism was theoretical and idealistic but changed after the war and became more practical, like how it is today. Modernism in America featured poured concrete with cast geometric ornament that included elaborate terraces and gardens. One of the most successful houses during this period was the Millard house, which included concrete blocks cast with decorative patterned faces and repeated patterns. There are many influential architects from this period, one of them being Rudolph Schindler.       One step further: Rudolph Schindler determined that architecture provides the structure, space, and design for interior spaces. He saw that architecture and interior design go hand and hand and wanted a compositional design throughout the structure, creating continuity....

 In 1900 a need arose for interior decorators, because of the eclectic architecture that lacked on that area. Interior decorators would add accessories, art, and furniture to create a cohesive interior aesthetic. Elsie de Wolfe was the first woman to pursue interior decorating by rebelling against Victorian interiors by creating bright spaces with French furniture. Wolfe made interior design become a separate entity from architecture. She valued comfort, beauty, and quality lighting. Some of her methods and materials she most commonly used were French furniture, the addition of animal prints on upholstery, and her interiors were inspired by nature, especially gardens. Wolfe not only separated interior design from architecture but has a style of how she decorated and created a way for women to enter the interior design profession. This was a difficult thing because like most professions it was difficult for women to be a part of one, especially in the world of design. In 1925 Doroth...

 Throughout history, we see a back and forth with design and styles. One style comes out, let’s take the emergence of modernism, and then art deco is the next one because someone somewhere didn’t like the idea of no ornamentation and decoration. Which is the same thing that happened before, from Victorian to arts and crafts, or Art Nouveau to protomodernism. In art deco, there was that same tension between functionalists and decorators. Functionalists valued function, simplicity, and mass production. Whereas decorators valued labor-intensive craftsmanship, and elite market, with elaborate designs. Art deco was largely influenced by fashion oriental styles and art nouveau, meaning it was more decorative. One of the most common patterns became very popular including zigzags and chevron. Light fixtures that complemented modern materials, as well as large mirrors, were elements commonly displayed in this style.  One Step Further: One of the popular art deco architects was Michel...

The emergence of modernism began following World War 1, this redesigned the world. This is when designers were embracing industrial design instead of inspiration from history. There are many master architects that came from this “modern movement” such as Frank Loyd Wright, Walter Gropius, Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe, and Le Corbusier. Frank Loyd wright was had more of a modern prairie style with floor plans that inspire current homes today. He created open floor plan concepts toward incorporating private areas with public areas of the house. After the prairie style came to the international style. Through this style, the authors established three important principles that are reflected today. The first principle is about the expression of volume rather than mass this principle started to push designers to test the laws of physics by incorporating suspension and transparency in their designs. The second principle was the emphasis on balance rather than preconceived symmetry. Lastly, the ex...

 Protomodernism was a rejection of ornamentation and historical styles. The Deutscher Werkbund Movement was a large part of proto modernism it brought about many influential designers and architects like Mies Van Der Rohe, Le Corbusier, and Walter Gropius. It wanted to mass-produce the highest quality designs embracing the usage of machinery. There was also the Vienna secession which was an advancement in art, history, psychology, and philosophy. There is an exhibition building in Vienna that is symbolic of the proto-modern period. This building was designed by Joseph Olbrich, who is the co-founder of the Vienna movement, and this building was a solemn but festive design.  Another famous architect, Otto Wagner, was a part of the Vienna succession and he believed in staunch functionalism and ended up writing a book called “Modern Architecture”. Otto Wagner was talented in many ways as a writer, designer teacher, urban planner, and architect he even designed furniture to relate ...