New York Flat & Corbusier Loveseat

Walking the streets of New York I go about my daily route delivering packages for UPS. I see all walks of people in my job. I walk into a law office dropping off a package to the receptionist. She is able to talk on her headset and type at the same time as if she were a robot. I glance into the next room where I hear a booming voice of a man. He must be the boss. I see a very modern black loveseat with a chrome base and I recognize this piece of furniture, I admired it the day before at a couple’s stylish New York flat. In my line of work I am only in a certain environment for a minute or so, long enough to get a signature. I am fascinated by how environments reflect the personality of individuals. I am able to understand what people like and dislike by simply looking at their everyday environment. Seeing this loveseat in two different environments with sets of very different people I see how design connects people.
The law office was cold with marble floors, stark windows with no blinds or warm lighting. The most compelling element in this office though was the acoustics; the clatter of the keyboard and the voice on phone line, the sounds of high heels and dress shoes tapping on the marble floors, and the boom of the boss’s voice resonating into the lobby area all make this office quite harsh and unyielding. Then I see the loveseat and I think of the stylish young couple’s flat. They resided in an older building across town in an up and coming neighborhood. The neighborhood used to be somewhat dangerous but now it is bustling with artists, young couples and families. Coffee shops and organic food stores line the street. This certain couple lives in an apartment above a Children’s bookstore. The flat has all white walls with traditional molding. The furniture is modern and eclectic and I felt welcome in their warm apartment. I think about the connection between these two sets of people in New York and how they may never meet, but will always be connected in someway through design as all people are.

Corbusier’s work unites people from all over the world. He calls his work part of the “international style” which is appropriate considering his work such as the Petite Loveseat is successful in many types of environments all over the world. New York is used as an example of where you might find the petite loveseat because New York is full of people from all different backgrounds and countries, making the city another broader category that connects these people along with Corbusier’s work.

Blandwood and the Washstand

Following the path of the washstands around the world I have found them everywhere. They first rose in rich homes because of the need for an area to get cleanse yourself during the 1900’s. The washstand itself became a symbol for social status just as everything else in this period. The more money you could spend on something no matter if it was needed or not was the ideal for most families. One home I chose in particular to place the washstand was the Blandwood Mansion in Greensboro, NC. This is home to the John Motley Morehead, previous governor to Greensboro. It is the last form of Italian architecture still residing in NC. Constructed in 1795, it was a piece of the family treasure for century’s to come. Knowing the family like to set the standard for society at the time, I can imagine them purchasing one of these washstands and having it elaborately detailed with colorful tiles. It would appear in one of the daughters rooms or perhaps even in the master bedroom area.
Most of the furniture around this period was from the arts and crafts movement. Everything was well crafted by hand so that special details were highlighted and accentuated. Compared to a modern version today, you would simply see a vanity counter placed only in the bathroom, not in a room where the bed would be. Bathrooms are still sought out to elaborate and well designed but they have become a private room.
The changes from this late 1800’s and 1900’s to the 21st century today have dramatically changed. First is the appearance of these styles of buildings the washstand might be seen in. Wealthy family had very elaborate houses with many staff and an extensive piece of land. Today’s world we are thinking about, how do we make this compact and fit into our growing society. Therefore, this is the reason why the washstand has become downsized and compacted with the sink so that it connects or attaches directly to the wall of the house. It is interesting to look at other items and notice this change as well. From artifacts to buildings, all have been influenced someway by the changes in society and population growth.

Sources:
http://www.blandwood.org/blandwood.html

Tiki Lamp: The Hula Hut

These days my rooms have become more and more lonely, my straw covered roofs fall in disrepair. No longer do servicemen and their dates for the evening gather here in throngs for a good night out. It seems all across the country, people don't have as much room for entertainment. This long war seems to drag on and on, maybe one day my eaves and timbers will resound with the life they once did. These harsh times make me remember the glory days, the good places of my youth when times were well.......

I have not been around as long as many more distinguished buildings. I do not perform a big and important task, at least not in the way most people think. While I do not stand in such high regard by many, I am treasured by nearly all. Every morning and many late nights I look out over the waters of the pacific, as they wash up on these Hawaiian shores. See over there in the corner booth some young sailors noisily commune about sea stories. Opposite them some Marines poke fun at the drunkard "squids" who can't hold their liquor. They say what they will, but I have been watching how much business they have given the bartender and I know differently. In just a little while my inhabitants will become unruly in their cups and the military police will be called. Roused by such authorities Drunk and sober alike will muster their sea legs for a good sprint for freedom. Out near the beach the hula hut reverberates with trendy big band music and glows from polynesian lighting and small incandescent bulbs. Life is good for now, tomorrow brings it's troubles which none here, nor across the nation can fathom. Life is good for now. Waitresses in grass skirts and barkeeps in hula shirts hustle about keeping everyone well oiled with fruity, colorful drinks named "mai tai" and "singapore sling". All around I see such life and exuberance, it is my joy and my purpose to be the subject of such debauchery and such communion. My eaves provide the home for these "the good days". Life is good, for now........

As time catches up and my dream of the past ends reality comes back into focus. Over the waters that once held such a mighty fleet, the vista that held such prowess now is empty, littered only with the hulks and rusted wreckage, grim reminders of one fateful morning for so many. This war drags on and on seemingly without end. One day, hopefully the masses will return and rejuvenate my halls once more with their laughter and dancing, maybe one day.

The bed with in a buidling

The artifact that is located in the first bed room to the left is the wooden bed that appears to be unfinished. The room where this bed is located it plain just like the bed. That bedroom could be used to a set of siblings around the same age because the bed is a bunk bed which holds two people. This house could be occupied by a family of that just got married and is starting a family. The house consists of two bed rooms and one full bath room, and a garage along with a dining room. The bunk bed could be used for the children; it helps keep the room more organized and clean. This house could possibly contrast the bunk beds because the beds have more of a simple look and touch to them, and if the owner adds decorations to the bed rooms the bed would not be as simple. The order furniture in the room would also not correspond to the design of the bed because the furniture would be more modern and have more decorations to it.

Birmingham Civil Rights Institue

I chose the civil rights museum in Birmingham, Alabama, the home place of my artifact, because my sign was part of the first insurance agencies for African Americans back during the movements. The owner of the company was a free slave in Atlanta, GA, alonzo Franklin Herndon.

I chose to give the artifact back to the community, and place it in the museum to show its influence during the movement.

house in the 1980's

I assume most of us in the class were born in the 80’s. We all can probably remember when cell phones started to become a necessity, computers becoming more popular, and how AOL was the thing to have so you can talk on the instant messenger with your friends at night. Nowadays the majority of the public school systems carry PCs. However, when I was in elementary school, all they had were Macs, therefore many homes carried Macs as their personal computer. My artifact being the Macintosh 512k created in 1986 was placed in a standard home designed in the 1980’s; a 1980’s home which still carried the box TVs in the living room with the floral print couch.
Due to the fact that modern architecture has been becoming the mainstream design today, the contrast between the style back then and now is pretty apparent. I would believe that seeing a Macintosh 512k would look extremely out of place at the Museum of Modern Art. Since technology has been developed at an incredible rate, we are only used to seeing flat screen monitors or a computer with the computer tower built in the screen. It is extremely unusual to see a huge box with a tiny screen that comes with an enormous computer tower at a computer lab in the present day. These computers that are out of date remind me when my parents first bought their computer when I was a kid. It was something that people used regularly back then, but today, we can barely rely on it because our technology has improved tremendously.

The English Life in 1800

Brighton, just a 45 minute train ride from London, is growing rapidly in population. Many people come here for the day to get away from the monotonous rhythm of the city. That’s why we moved here. This town used to be just a quiet fishing village; but nowadays it’s a party city since King George IV built the Royal Pavilion 15 years ago. Secondly, my husband is a prominent merchant in the city, but business slowed down so we decided to move to a nicer area where many wealthy families dwell. We felt that the economic base was better here because there is more money to be spent. Before we bought our house, we were visiting my cousins at their resort. On the pilgrimage back home I saw the house and fell in love. One afternoon before we moved I was window-shopping down town and saw those new mirrors that everyone is fussing over. I find that I can really express who I am through the Regency style so it was necessary that the drawing room downstairs show this; but the room would not be complete with out the mirror. It is absolutely divine to have my guest visit and reside in this space and have their reflective time be expressed within this one object. The rest of the house follows a more classical inspiration. Like most of the other houses around town, ours is washed out- white exterior with black shutters with a strong emphasis on symmetry.

Compare: This house in Brighton is similar to the Blandwood because the artifact can be used as a status symbol for the wealthy and Blandwoood is a large home in the area that exemplies wealth.

Contrast: The Reynolda House is planted on many acres, which include gardens, farms, a golf course, and even a church. Living at the Reynolda House was like being on vacation. The Brighton home was built in the early 1800s, and the Reynolda House was built about 100 years later in 1917.

Through the Nichols House Museum

A youthful, and very curious 27 year old was living in Boston and going to grad school. On a long weekend she decided to explore the city. She found herself in a beautiful old neighborhood called Beacon Hill. Loraine noticed the Nichols House Museum at the corner. It was a four-story brick townhouse designed in the Federal style. She was very interested and decided she would take a tour. As she began her tour, Loraine read the information booklet she was given when she entered to become acquainted with the museum. She learned about Miss Rose Nichols whom was a handywoman, a gardener, and a woodworker. Miss Rose was also very involved with the women’s rights movement. Loraine quickly noticed that much of Miss Rose’s own work was displayed in the house. She also noticed that the interior Greek Revival style was different than that of the exterior. When Loraine came across the dining room she immediately noticed the beautiful large wood dining table in the center of the room. It was adorned with a table runner and large bouquet of fresh flowers. She thought it was very suitable for the room. Not too large or too small, and the style fit the rest of the house. She continued on her tour through the rest of the house. When she left she was very pleased the she choose to go through the Nichols House and has since taken several friends back to visit.

Compare: In comparison to the washstand placed in the Blandwood museum, there is a clear similarity that they are both house museums. Also both the washstand and the tilt-top table became valuable pieces to the family and each house.

Contrast: Although The Virgina Museum of Fine Arts and Nichols House Museum are both museums, they are very different. The Virgina Museum of Fine Arts is an art museum that houses very different artifacts from those in the Nichols House. The experience of visiting the museum would also be very different, with the Fine Arts museum probably being much more formal and not as much about the experience of being in a room, but more focused on the artifacts house there.

Source:
http://www.nicholshousemuseum.org/

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

Outside view of VA Museum of Fine Arts

Interior View of Mackintosh Chair.

Upon my visit to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, I notice the outside structure is reminiscent of many neo-classical relief type buildings prevalent throughout much of Virginia. Much like Monticello, the campus of the University of Virginia, and many of the buildings in downtown DC, the Museum of Fine Arts compliments these buildings that follow the aesthetic imposed by Jefferson.

The purpose of my visit to Virginia, other than stealing some of my Nona's coveted recipes, is to view the Charles Rennie Mackintosh chair in its element. The halls are brightly and warmly lit with yellow light and sparkling floors that look like reflective pools. Inside, I find the different rooms that house many of the Museum's important collections.

The Museum itself was built to expand upon what the National Gallery of Art displayed in their Art Deco, Art Nouveau, and Modern/Post-Modern collections. I find the chair within the art deco wing of the museum. It sits nestled among other pieces of fine craftsmanship that display the many trends and influences that were so singularly nuanced of that period. The glossy design of the chair, with it's polished ebony wood, colored glass and sharp angles give it edge as it sits among its counterparts within the room. The sheer splendor of the Classical style only serves to cushion the chair within its atmosphere. However, to contrast the piece with it's current setting, the Neo-Classical relief almost serves to hold the chair back from the regalia it might achieve in a more minimalist setting. The dark colors of the chair alone might do well in a mostly white, stark environment, or one with more modern pieces of furniture. In either capacity, the chair is adequately displayed for the public to enjoy.

References: www.vmfa.museum/collections/ourcollection

Mahler Curtain In A House:Lauren Thore

The late 20th century houses illustrated above are from Cliff and Diane Numark’s neighborhood in Torrance, California. They recently had their bedroom redesigned on Design On A Dime, by Lee Snjiders and his design team. Before they had a plain, mismatched bedroom and now they have a well-designed art deco influenced relaxing getaway. I chose this house to add the Mahler curtain in because they wanted the style to be more eclectic than themed and bring in brighter colors.

Compared to an original Art Deco style house it has a very ordinary shape and structure. Art Deco houses appear to be modern machines with protruding angles and elegant materials. Most of the homes are geometric forms that were based off of inventions such as modern aviation. They are also made out of materials such as aluminum, wood, shagreen and stainless steel.

The Numark’s home is similar to most family homes built in the late 20th century because it is modern and does not have any drastic angles or curves. It is a basic family home that is appealing to the eye functionally and not aesthetically like Art Deco style homes. The changes in homes over the last century have been extreme, from unique appearances and to basic everyday materials and forms.

Victor 2 Humpack in the Biltmore Estate

I would say that the main idea of the Victor 2 Humpback Phonograph is being heard both literally and figuratively. Since the Victor 2 was a larger and more powerful gramophone, one of the advantages to having one was that it could produce a louder sound. Obviously, this would be appealing to those who could afford it since they were the ones that would throw parties and entertain large groups of people—they would want all of their friends to be able to hear the glorious music. This idea of “being heard” works even better on a metaphorical level. I would say the Victor 2 was a status symbol and was about letting people hear that you had money just as much about letting people hear the music. For this reason I put the Victor 2 in a study or personal library area. Running with the “being heard” motif, I placed the library in the Biltmore Estate.
The Biltmore Estate was completed in 1895, a few years before the Victor 2 was manufactured (1902). I do not think, however, that it is unreasonable to picture the gramophone within the estate several years later. Built for the Vanderbilt family, the Biltmore House is all about saying, “hear we are,” and being “heard.” At 175,000 square feet, this building is more of a symbol of wealth than anything else, much like the Victor 2. The Vanderbilt family didn’t spare any expense either, as they hired Richard Morris Hunt to design the chateau and Frederick Olmsted to design the estate grounds. Even though it is situated in the outskirts of Asheville, NC, it still attracts thousands of visitors to look in awe over the immense wealth the Vanderbilt family had.

Similar to the Victor 2 and this idea of making a statement is the Charles Rennie Mackintosh chair. The chair's design is such that you probably wouldn't see anywhere but at the residence of a wealthy person. This chair is definitely a luxury as is the Victor 2 Humpback.
In contrast, the umbrella holder in Prince Gong's mansion is much less about show and more about utility. Even though the umbrella holder is still designed to be pleasing to the eye and isn't necessarily a necessity, I would still say it is less about making a statement because an umbrella holder isn't always incredibly noticeable.

German Apartment 1903 and the Peacock Sconce

As I was walking a small city street in Karlsruhe, Germany, I gazed up at a beautiful apartment building from the arts and crafts movement. The street was apparently upper class and residential. I was visiting Karlsruhe during my studying abroad. Karlsruhe is near the french-german border and next to the black forest and therefore has a strong influence of the french as well as beautiful woodworking such as the iconic wooden coo-coo clocks.

As I stood there with my mouth open staring up, an older woman walked up beside me with a bag of groceries from a nearby market. She asked me in German how I liked the building. I told her that I loved the varying windows and art nouveau emphasis underneath the porch and spaces protruding off the main facade. The woman seemed impressed with my knowledge of architecture and I explained that I was studying to be an architect at a college in town. She surprised me when she responded that she lived on the 4th floor and offered to show me the inside if I carried her grocery bags. I graciously accepted and followed her into the building.

The indoor staircase was constructed of wrought iron and was designed with an art nouveau style with swirls like a vine. The stairs were tiring but her apartment was worth the climb. The inside space was richly designed with beautifully crafted woodwork, rich fabrics and grand mirrors. My favorite part of her home was by far the sconce over her oversized fireplace. My visit to Germany was regretfully only a semester long, but I am grateful to have had a chance to experience the country for what it is worth.

Compare/contrast:
This German apartment building, built in 1903 was from the arts and crafts movement as well as some influence of the art nouveau movement. This building relates to the peacock sconce beacause of its embrace of nature with the peacock motif as well as its embrace of the industrial movement with the use of metals to craft it. This building is starkly different from the American arts and craft buildings such as the Robie House by Frank Lloyd Wright. Wright focus's more on the idea of blending the home into the landscape with a strong horizontal emphasis.

MGM studio, Culver City, CA

Stage 26 (center): the set containing the Ruhlmann dressing table is located on the first floor along the southern (back) wall of the building.

View of the interior showing the set and dressing table. The bed is placed along the eastern wall; the table is on the southern wall.

In 1937 Metro Goldwyn Mayer was one of the largest and most successful studios in Hollywood. However, the massive studio was actually located in Culver City, California, about seven miles southwest of Hollywood proper. Situated on the northwest corner of Washington Boulevard and Overland Avenue, the studio encompassed over 40 acres of buildings and lots in its heyday. Stage 26 is the building illustrated here, in which Jean Harlow's last movie was being filmed until her untimely death ended production. The front of the building is a brick facade of a three story building with only a ground level inside; this allowed for different genres of films to be shot inside since it was somewhat of a generic shell of a structure. From 1935 to 1937 there was a surge of new construction and renovation occurring at MGM, and this was one of the only locations available to shoot in. The origins of the studio date back to 1915 when Triangle Pictures called it home. In 1924, MGM bought the company and proceeded to build one of the most powerful studios in Hollywood, renown for their bright Technicolor films complete with high priced sets, ornate fixtures, expensive wardrobes, and "more stars than the heavens". With such a boom in business, it is no wonder MGM hired a talented designer to dress the Art Deco set of Cafe Society. Authenticity was not an element to be disregarded, and therefore the sets were lavishly detailed down to placing the right textiles and furniture pieces within. The Jacques-Emile Ruhlmann dressing table was the perfect addition to the bedroom for Jean Harlow's enigmatic debutante character. In a film intended to exploit the riches and splendor of the wealthy during the Great Depression, it is apropos that such a fine piece of furniture be incorporated.

Resource: http://www.seeing-stars.com/Studios/MGM.Shtml

Author's note: this is entirely fictional, meant for illustrative purposes only.

Similar to: Prince Gong's mansion. Like the rambling hills, valleys, mountains, and caves of the Prince's estate, the studio is made of many components within a large tract of acreage. The studio has a variety of buildings, landscape sets, and storage facilities similar to the living quarters, gardens, and workplaces of the Prince's mansion.

Contrasts with: Farm House 1900-2000. The ancestral Farm House belonging to the Stanford family, handed down generation after generation, is a stark contrast to the quickly erected and as easily torn down movie set for Cafe Society. While the house is intended to be a permanent, steadfast structure that will incur improvements and maintenance over many decades, the movie set is wholeheartedly temporary, with little thought about its ability to be sustained for more than a few months. The interiors are also polar opposites, with the simplistic style of the Farm house suggesting a comforting, family-style setting, while the film set is decidedly luxurious and heavily themed in the Art Deco style.

Power and Prestige (Jayson Parker)

I’ve made it. I now have my own law office in the Empire State Building. A building that is ubiquitously known throughout the entire world, and visited by tourists year round. I did not realize the depth of my achievement until that elucidative first day when I moved into my office. It was then that I became aware of the history of the Empire State building.

The little gold frame with off white parchment paper, which was hanging on a pillar in the lobby read. The Empire State building was built in the 1930’s by Shreve, Lamb and Harman Associates and was once the tallest building in the world. It set the standard for all other buildings to aspire to. The idea behind the design began with a race to build the tallest building in the world beginning with the Eiffel Tower at 984’, the Woolworth building at 792’, and ending with the Chrysler building and the Empire State building which were both being built at the same time. The Empire Sate Building surpassed them all standing at 1,250’ and 85 stories. However, before any of this could be accomplished the famous Waldorf Astoria Hotel had to be bought and demolished before any plans could come to fruition. Many were sad to see the famous hotel go, but there was some solace in knowing that it would be rebuilt at 301 Park Avenue where it still stands today.

The Empire State building stands as a symbol of power and prestige. With my office being located at the top of the building it too acts as a symbol of power and prestige. In addition to the location of the office I also have place my Herter Brothers Library Table at the center of the foyer letting everyone know that this is a place full of history, power, and prestige.

In contrast to my building and my table is the National Gallery of Art (East) building. It is a building that was built to be a museum for modern art. It does not aspire to be the tallest or grandest of anything and is not worthy of such antiquity as mine. A friend once asked why I did not like modern art, and I said that modern art is a rebellion from what we know already works and works well. No one will replace the Greek and Roman architecture. It will always be as powerful today as it was then and that is what I associate my antiques with. Modern art is a fad that will shortly fade away.

Identity Through Design

Suzanne Talbots Apartment in Paris located on the Outskirts of downtown.
Suzanne Talbots Sunroom contained the Canoe Sofa located on the second story.

City

Elaine- I’ve never traveled outside of the U.S before but I couldn’t wait to be in Paris. It was a chance to spread my designer perspective and see something different. I heard about all the break through ideas that were taking place and I want to absorb it all. Compared to New York, I just feel that Paris has more to offer. The ghost chair I saw at the Schneider’s just wasn’t enough for me. It was just another idea for something that was already around. Paris on the other hand holds a more international style that pulls more from its surrounding countries. There has to be endless design possibilities. I can’t wait to see something innovated and unique.

Neighborhood

Jean Louis- The best part of my job is passing through the new Lake District neighborhood. Morning is the best time to see this place with its friendly faces taking their morning strolls in the park adjacent to their homes. Being their gave such a Utopian effect like nothing could go wrong here. It’s secluded from the city but still in walking distance. I awed over the steps I placed the milk on for its amazing upkeep. I wanted this place for myself. If only I could afford it.

Apartment

Lorie- I can’t wait to see what Suzanne has come up for me to wear to the upcoming ball. She’s an amazing designer. You could just tell by the way her apartment was set up. You just wouldn’t think a single woman could have all of this to her own. The mixture of fabrics and rich woods she has here are so bold and innovated for a woman. She has style and that is why I chose her for my hat design. This sofa by the way is just amazing in this sun room. She arranged it in such a way that gives it a main focus. I feel privileged and important in this seat. I can’t wait to see what she does next.

Tizio Lamp : Building

cut view of executive designers office.

view of modern building where executive designer works.


I work for Dwell magazine and I am the executive designer. I get to look out my window to see the city skyline. I have worked here seven years to get this big office with a window and view. I am honored to work for a design company that is up to date with the latest cutting edge designs, and a firm that allows me to incorporate some of my own work as well.

As with any other design company late hours, hard work, and lots of coffee are a must. As the hours pass by my brightly lit office during the day, soon turns dark. It makes it difficult to sketch, read and even concentrate when the only option of lighting in my space is a dim lamp or the overhead flourescent lights, which normally give me a headache. “I wish I had more choice and control of the lighting in here, it would probably make my life a lot easier.” Then it hit me, I could design a lamp for my office! I could be the one to choose the materials, the wattage, etc. I grabbed my pencil and sketchbook and began to brainstorm. I knew I wanted something that was very easily adjustable to wherever I wanted the light. Something that was also cutting edge.

I chose the Tizio lamp for my office space because of its adjustable form and intense light source. Rather than squint through the pain of halogen bulbs and wish that I had light conducted to the exact project that I'm working on, I could use the Tizio lamp to do the work for me. Time and time again, I wished that I could find a lamp that did just as the Tizio lamp did with its novelle design. Rather than crowd my desk with excess wires from electrical engineering, the Tizio lamp contains all of its wiring inside it's skeletal structure, and within the base, leaving only a small cord to plug in at the base. With it's adjustable head, I could refocus the lamp on any are that I was working on, and highlight something that originally I hadn't been focusing on.

Some have suggested that I could use a Lava Lamp for a light source within my office. In a close comparison, both lamps are inventive for their times. The lava lamp, with its liquid/solid particulate matter, and groovy coloring also has little setup and takes up not much space on my desk. However, it's color and efficiency would not prove conducive to my work load, as not enough light would be given off.

To contrast with a pair of 19th Century candlesticks, the obvious source of light would be that of fire. Fire, as you know in any public setting, particularly an office, would not be appropriate at all. In addition to keeping my office low-light, the fire hazard alone makes the candlesticks antiquated and insufficient for the space.

Candlesticks in the Red Room of the White House

Last post I placed the candlesticks in the Red Room in the White House. In continuance of this, I placed the Red Room in the White House. Hypothetically speaking, Henry Francis Du Pont of the Winterthur Museum, who helped Jackie Kennedy during her extensive historical renovation, is placing the candlesticks in the Red Room. The following excerpt is a hypothetical example from Du Pont's notes on the remodel.
Jackie Kennedy hired me to help her refurbish the White House interior. In keeping with the older Classical architecture on the exterior, the rooms all have antique artifacts. These artifacts are harder to find than one might suspect. Because they are going into such an important building for the American people, everything must be in a well kept condition and also be historically relevant. I have enjoyed the research that this project has required. I spent a long time looking for artifacts today. Currently we are on the Red Room redecoration phase of the remodel for the White House. It has been a long process and many hours have been put into choosing just the right time period for each room.In addition to the Red Room, there is also a Blue Room and a Green Room. American Empire is the style for the Red Room, Empire Style for the Green Room and French Empire for the Blue Room. For the Red Room, I found a French mantle clock and an empire fire screen yesterday. Today I found a pair of candlesticks that were originally in the Nichols House Family Museum. I had to a little bit of trouble contacting the man in charge of the Nichol's archive of objects, but after a few more tries, everything went smoothly. After searching through the numerous artifacts that the House Museum has, I saw the candlesticks. They make a perfect addition. This room will blend in perfectly with the rest of the restoration and I am very proud of my work.

The White House and it's decor is similar to the West Wing from the National Gallery of Art. Both are built in a Classical style. (Both also house works of art, although one is entirely devoted to this and one is not). However the exterior of the East Wing is very different from the White House. The National Gallery of Art has a very modern exterior with sharp angles and is very sculptural in it's design. The purposes for the buildings are, of course, very different as well. The White House is for living and working and is only meant for select people, while the National Gallery is meant for many people to trample through and does not need to be as closed off as the White House but is free to be more open. The architecture of the National Gallery is able to be so sculptural because it is an art space whereas the White House's architecture has to be much more formal because of its formal purpose.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is similar to the White House in that they both have columns that hearken to a classical past. Similarly both have fairly complex architraves that add to the formality of the buildings. Also, the front facade of both buildings clearly delineate the entrance of the buildings. Both buildings also have a certain amount of clout in association with their uses.

Russian Home- Jennifer Cochran-Russian Daybed

Edward: While taking a hike through the woods I cam across this older style Russian home set back in the trees. I pull out my camera to capture the image of this beautiful home from the 16th century that is covered in snow. While studying this home I wondered what the inside of it would look like and whether or not the owners would let me take pictures of it. I then wondered if it functioned very well, if all the space was used to its full potential. I hope that it is and if not then I hope that future homes would be more functional.

James: I guess the people in the mountains don’t get out very much since I am delivering there groceries to them. I assume they must have some little kids because they ordered a lot of baby formula. The house looks very nice can of older style to it though. I bet there rich with a nanny too, for their kid. I’m sure there also wasting a lot of resources trying to heat this big home up here in this snowy region.

Bella: I loved my 16th century style Russian home. I’m not use to living out in the mountain region and I never imagined that it could get so cold. Whoever originally built this home did not think about insulation very well. As soon as my little girl gets a bit older I’m going to do some major remobilizations to get this home up to date.

Compare: Hoover Winthorn House Museum this older styled is similar to the Russian styled home that was created using a 16th century style. Though there are many difference between the two homes the similarities are very prominent as well. Including the fact they are both surrounded by the environment even though not environmentally friendly.

Contrast: The Barcelona Daybed building is an apartment complex built in a city. The environmental contrast is extreme. Plus the time periods in which the two buildings were created. The Barcelona Daybed building was built in a more modern style.

The Patriot Radio place within the Pro Sunila in Finland.

The Patriot Radio was designed by Norman Bel Geddes in 1939. Geddes was one of America’s most prolific and influential industrial designers of his time, and even throughout today. He helped in creating the streamlined style that defined America throughout the 1930’s to the early 40’s. His objective was to promote both American technology and culture, in hopes to bolster national pride during the difficult years of the Great Depression. The Patriot Radio is made to represent the patriotic stars-and-stripes motif.
Times were rough during the depression, and designers of the time wanted to create objects that were optimistic and forward looking, hence the modernist approach to both the patriot radio and the building it has been place within. Alvar Aalto created a grand, industrial design the Pro Sunila between the period of 1936 and 1939 in Finland. This design was considered superb Modernist architecture.
A lot of the architecture and design that was built prior to the depression kind of had a one-way approach to thinking. The design surrounded the pro sunila was traditional and boring, not to mention a reminder of what was happening at this time. That why Aalto’s design was a breath of fresh air, and gave people hope for a better, more prosperous future.
The reason that the patriot radio can be seen within the pro sunila is because of the streamline, modern design. Both the pro sunila and the patriot radio have straight lines and a clear expression to get their point across. Their designs are simple, but aesthetically pleasing at the same time.

Singer sewing machine in Frank Lloyd Wrights Home & Studio

Frank Lloyd Wrights ‘home and studio’ is located at 951 Chicago Avenue, Oak Park, Illinois, in an architecturally rich neighborhood only a few minutes from downtown Chicago. The neighborhood has many houses designed by Wright, including examples of the first ‘prairie-style’ houses. Frank Lloyd Wright raised his six children in this house with his first wife Catherine Tobin. Between 1889 and 1909 he worked and lived in this area. One of his earliest works is found here – the ‘Winslow House’ in River Forest, Illinois. Frank Lloyd Wright lived in this house with his family until 1909. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972 and declared a National Historic Landmark four years later. The house is now being restored by the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust to look like it did when Wright himself lived in it.

The house is compact in design but as Wrights family grew, he continued to expand the house including a new dining room, playroom and studio where he worked with several well-known architects such as Walter Burley Griffin and Richard Bock.
Catherine’s dayroom is where an original Isaac Singer sewing machine can be found. The sewing machine was seen as a symbol of status and self-reliance for American families. Catherine’s dayroom receives a large amount of natural sunlight through the windows along one side. Catherine would have used this room for such activities as to sew, write, and nurse the children. The sewing machine is situated on one side of the room, next to the windows so Catherine would have had great natural light to sew in. The sewing machine is attached to a Singer sewing machine table with the foot pedal underneath.

The placing of the sewing machine in this home would have been very typical for a house of this time. It is away from the commonly used areas such as a lounge area or dining room in a room just for the wife/mothers everyday jobs. It is placed near a window for light and a pleasant atmosphere with a view.
In contrast to a modern house, the sewing machine usually would not sit out permanently in a room but be stored in a cupboard and brought out when needed, which would not usually be as often as in the past.
The sewing machine is similar to the linen press in that it was handy to have but back then not every home would own one due to its cost. Therefore they would both represent a status of wealth within the home.
In contrast, the place for the chinese umbrella holder, 'The Summer Palace', is a much grander and richer home which 'provided a fancy way for the wealthy to store their wet umbrellas.' Thus the sewing machine, although decorative as well, plays a much more functional and useful role in its environment.

Nob Hill-center table

Mark Hopkins became a very wealthy man thanks to the railway to the west. He was part of the Central Pacific Rail Road Company. He was the treasurer and power of attorney for the Big Four. Before building a fine mansion, he once enjoyed working his own garden. The Hopkins mansion stood tall on Nob Hill (also known as Snob Hill because of the wealthy property owners). The mansion was long and narrow measuring 82 x 25 feet and 45 feet tall. Before the completion of the mansion, Mark died in Yuma, Arizona on a business trip.

Mrs. Mary Hopkins purchased the Thurlow Lodge in 1883 as a wedding present for her adopted son Timothy Nolan Hopkins. He married Mary Kellogg Crittenden who happened to be a niece of Mary Hopkins, her mother-in-law. Once the property was purchased, it was renamed “Sherwood Hall”, after his mother’s maiden name. This residency became storage for the original Herter pieces, designed for Milton Latham, along with some of the Herter furnishings from the Hopkins Mansion in San Francisco. The Hopkins Mansion was donated to the University of California to house the San Francisco Art Association after the death of Mary Hopkins.

April 18, 1906, 5:12am pct. Tragedy strikes the locals around the San Andreas Faults. Both the Hopkins Mansion and Sherwood Hall are damaged. The Hopkins Mansion was burned as a result to the earthquake while the structure of Sherwood Hall was damaged leaving it abandoned.

The Nichols House Museum

The Nichols House Museum is an example of Greek/roman revival called the federal style. This form of Architecture is found prevalent in many other styles in the United States, in particular the capital in Washington, D.C. Federal Style architecture was founded between 1780 and 1840. The initial purpose of the federal style was to implicate meaning in a democratic society similar to the Romans and the Greeks. The bald eagle represented an important motif in most buildings of the federal style similar to that of the Roman motifs.

Miss Rose, born in 1872, was a women rights activist, and the eventual owner that turned the house into a museum for the public. She was an accomplished woodworker and also helped found the women international league for peace and freedom. The most important aspects of the building itself are apparent in the interior spaces that may well have been decorated by the ladies of the house. Inside you may find tapestries, ornate rugs with natural motifs, other oriental influences, and sculptures of the early 19th century. These artifacts constitute a space that shows the family as being very worldly and experienced.

The house itself, designed by Charles Bulfinch, was much about the interior architecture within the house. However, on the exterior the front entrance is located down an Ally on the right side of the house. These Ally way entrances are meant to hide away from the street in order to portray a continuous line of design across the facades of each house on the street. Others speculate that the design was used to channel air through to allow the house to become cooler in the summer time.

Other buildings of this time period such as the United States Capital can be shown to have similar influences in design. The Federal style is most prevalent in the interiors of both buildings in such a way that either the room is octagonal in shape or the worldly decoration is shown to portray worldly viewpoints. Some distinguishing differences in the buildings are shown in the architecture represented on the exterior, whereas the Nichols house museum may have a side entrance hidden away from the street, the Capital is centralized on the landscape with other important building and structures. The Capital has a central dome that creates a much more centralized element along with the vertical emphasis given to the dome itself. These counterparts are not present in the design of the Nichols house museum, although the interior spaces may revolve close to each other.

The Mantel Clock in its Building

Much like a living and growing plant, the art nouveau style encompasses nature and all its "hand crafted" beauty. The art nouveau style mantel clock made by Josef Maria Olbrich, an 1899 hand crafted artifact, has its place in a building just as each plant has it's place in a forest. The mantel clock's style is simple and organic, with soft curves and hardly any ornamentation. It makes a simple statement about its purpose, as does the room it belongs in. The dining room it was placed in does not have a lot of baubles, but states it purpose with only necessary objects. The mantel clock meshes with the room, and is a part of the living plant. It must also become a part of the building.

The building in which the mantel clock belongs in is not highly ornamented, and it speaks clear in it's purpose. It is clear where the front door is, and how tall it is, where the rooms are, and what material it is constructed with, all from it's front facade. Inside, the circulation is clear and organized, and everything inside is connected, much like a living vine. Just as plants have a system of growth and life, the building and objects within it do too. The mantel clock's place in the building is just as important as the windows, chairs, tables, couches, or lights. The building serves it's purpose as a shelter for humans, and the mantel clock tells time. The mantel clock is but one part of the plant that makes up the whole building.

In comparison, the Étagère in its building is much like the mantel clock in its. The Étagère is Rococo style, and is a working part of the Rococo style building, creating "the plant" as a whole. The mantel clock is a part of its art nouveau "plant." In both cases, the artifacts have their place, in a building with the same style.

In contrast, The Alexander Calder Mobile in its building is not quite the same, as it is on display. Though it meshes with the building in the sense that it is a piece of art and belongs with the other art pieces around it, it is a glorified object, and meant to stick out. The mantel clock is not on display or glorified in its space, it is simply a part of it.

Murphy's bed in a sprawling atmosphere

"I can't believe I'm going to be living here" I said to myself as I walked down my future street in San Francisco. Many people were immigrating and moving to this city, and I just happened to be one of those lucky people. Urban areas are growing at a huge rate in the early 1900s. Powell street was quaint with lots of trees and houses and apartment building all sitting at a slant. The street is a workout to climb up because this city is so hilly. I finally arrive at my future apartment building.It is only four stories tall, which is an average height around here. It is an a neighborhood area and has a welcoming feel about it. It is a tan color with lovely windows and a ground entrance. There is an arch which makes the entrance easy to find. Other than that the building is pretty repetitive with the same windows running up the building. It sits right up against another apartment building. I walk in.

My studio apartment is small. It is only one room with a bathroom. I could only afford a studio and it seems the city is filling up so fast that there isn't enough room for everybody. The walls are bare but the windows let in a tremendous amount of light. I can see the bustling street below. The floors are a beautiful hardwood that the light from the windows flows across. There is one lone object in the room and it is a cabinet with a bed in it. I had heard that these beds, I believe Murphy beds, were invented right here in San Francisco. My landlord said they had become very popular recently. It is easy to fold the bed in and out, although I briefly think to myself what if it folds back in with me in it. It is also moderately comfortable. This will make entertaining guests much easier since my bed won't be the center of the room. I can already start to imagine my day versus night apartment.

Alike: It is like the Suburban home:Barcalounger in that both building are made for residents. They both also have a local style that they are built in. They are both built to fit the enviroments around them.

Different: The Metropolitan Museum of Art is very different. It is meant to house things instead of people. The scale is very different as well. There is more detail on the outside of the building and you are meant to walk through the entire building instead of going to one specified part of a building that you own.

Lidded Punch Bowl and Ladle: Casa Batlló

Casa Batlló was designed by Antoni Gaudi and is located on Passeig de Gràcia in Barcelona, Spain. Designed for a specific client, Josep Batlló, to serve as an upper class apartment in which he and his family lived on the bottom two floors while the rest were rented out. The exterior appears to be like skin pealing back exposing the bone support columns. Casa Batlló sits in between two other buildings that are static and flat. This makes Casa Batlló stand out because the organic curves of the balconies that protrude out over the sidewalk. The unique shapes of each balcony and window are not only portrayed on the outside but they are flowing through to the inside as well. The texture change between the smooth concrete of the balconies to the rough texture of the upper part of the wall are like the material change that happens in the Lidded Punch Bowl and Ladle. The embellished silver metal swirls around the bowl and changes into smooth, flush, green glass. The Casa Batlló also has colored glass that stands out from the other materials. The shape of the glass on the punch bowl is very similar to the shape of the skin and bone oval shape that is around the lower windows, almost as the punch was made to be inside. The building itself is Art Nouveau as a whole, each and every room, including the dining room that holds the punch bowl is full of organic shapes and curves and over all has dynamic movement.

In comparison to the punch bowl the candlesticks that are located in the White House are something that not every household would have. Much like the punch bowl these candlesticks can be seen as a symbol of wealth or power.

Contrasting the punch bowl is the Barcarlounger. The chair is a common piece of furniture that is located in suburban homes. The punch bowl would most likely not be located in one of those homes but more in the upper class homes.

LiNeN pReSs: Building Setting ~Ashley Blackburn

Although many people do not refer to it as its official name, the linen press, is actually widely used in many homes. Still today, families are putting the linen press to use. However, even though the appearance of the linen press hasn’t really diversified from its original form, the overall purpose and usage of the linen press has varied. Today such functions may consist of that of an armoire, wardrobe, cabinet, or even an entertainment center. Due to the abundance of new uses, the placement of the linen press, also changed. Instead of only residing in the bedroom, it now can rest in separate parts of the house (spare room, sewing room, living room, etc.). Whatever the use though, it still remains as a household item. The Byrdcliffe Arts and Crafts Colony’s Linen Press lived its life in the household. Of course this was the household of the Whitehead family. White Pines was the main house within the Byrdcliffe colony in Woodstock, New York. Seeing that White Pines was an emphasized part of the Byrdcliffe community, it became noticeable that the linen press itself was also a prominent piece of furniture in any house or even bedroom. The residence house was a vital portion to the overall structure of the colony due to the fact that it stated where the people would stay. Within a house, the linen press is as important because it determines where linens, clothes and other items may be stored. Even within a room, not only does it address the storage matter, but it also dictates the layout of the room, like the main house would for the overall plan of the community. In relation to a house, the linen press shares many of the same functions, just instead of providing for people, it provides services to the linens. Obligations the two share include: providing storage (house-people; linen press-linens), protection from the elements, items are kept private, and its substantial presence generates debate of the overall layout to where it belongs.

Alike: Like my article, Lauren Foster also placed her artifact in an original type context. Her artifact also was placed within a household with great description, making the imagery very refined and easy to comprehend.


Different: Unlike my take on the relation of my linen press to its household residence, Monique’s article had an opposite and interesting twist. Instead of talking about the original context and how its context compares today, she placed it within her own building type. I believe this was a very interesting and creative spin, I enjoyed seeing how an object with a pre-existing context could be refurbished into something new by its placement.

Hoover Winthorn House -- Campion

The Actual Winthorn Hall

The Winthorn Hall, or the now Hoover Winthorn House Museum, can be found 2 blocks away from George Fox University in Newberg, Oregon. This two-story boys' dormitory and gymnasium was built in 1887 for the Friends Pacific Academy, the precursor to George Fox. Surprisingly enough, after our 31st president, Herbert Hoover was orphaned at the age of 8, he moved to Newberg to live with his uncle Henry and his aunt Laura Winthorn. Supposedly young Herbert lived in this dormitory and used the gymnasium during his stay in Newberg. He enjoyed the fellowship of the boys and the beauty of Newberg. He would take long strolls with his uncle, the first principal of FPA, to learn more about the Academy and the surrounding areas. Herbert could also be found playing out on the grounds with the other boys from the dorm he had befriended in his short stay there. George Fox University acquired the land and moved to the Winthorn Building to a new spot adding a third story. The rich history of this family and the fact one of the US' presidents actually attended there has helped George Fox and the Winthorn and Hoover names still mark the Universty. Now this piece of history sits as a living artifact on the outskirts of the University and has become part of the National Register of Historic Places as a house museum. To this day you can still find the Campion rug in the entrance hall of the building.
Information: georgefox.edu


The Winthorn Hall, Hoover Winthorn House Museum, is very different in style than the home for the penguin donkey. That home is modern and edgy while the Winthorn Hall clings to a more classic style by recreating the 19th English homes. Both homes use diferent materials on the outside due to period and style but they have a similarity in the veritcal windows as well as the way they bring people together. The home for the penguin donkey created a new environment for the growing family to bond and flourish, as did the Winthorn Hall. It created a place for an orphan to reunite with his family and become a part of his new family.

Candle Stick Phone in Saarinen Home

Saarinen house is the restored home of Finninsh-American architect Eliel Saarinen and Loja Saarinen. The Saarinens using inspiration from the art and crafts movement and the more modern Art deco elements to create a home that was a total work of art. Saarinen began designing his house at Cranbrook in 1928, He and his family moved into the house in 1930 along with the adjoining house belonging to Carl Milles. Decorative elements are integral to the architecture and include patterned brickwork and leaded glass windows with triangles, squares, and rectangles. Similiar patterns, shapes, and color of the brick are echoed inside the house, linking the inside outside. The Candle Stick "Upright" phone was developed and distributed in the the 1900-1930 time frame along side the building of the Saarinen home. This telephone could be found any of the public space within the home but I origianlly placed the phone in a waiting area oude of a conference/ dining room all in arts and crafts and art deco style, with the furnishes found already in the Saarinen home.

Barcelona Daybed-Building

I placed the Barcelona daybed, a classic modern furniture piece, in the lobby of a skyscraper office building. I chose the skyscraper because it is a great example of modern and postmodern design. The building also incorporates some of same materials used in the chair, steel.


On assignment for my architecture firm, Brown and Coleman, in Shanghai, I was delighted to take part in their design. As I arrive to my destination for a business meeting, I am met with a very post modern designed building with inspiration from the original modern designers. Made of steel and glass, the building experiments with angles and shapes. To my delight, as I walk through the glass doors I see a beautifully designed spacious lobby filled with classic modern furniture pieces such as the Barcelona daybed. The wood paneling in the lobby is accented with a colorful abstract painting behind the Barcelona daybed, which gives the room additional color.
A chair that has been around for years, it was refreshing to see the Barcelona daybed accented with a colorful abstract painting. I can remember hen I traveled to Chicago for a design exhibition, I was able to see a postmodern exhibition house. When compared to the building in shanghai, the Barcelona daybed was placed in a monochromatic space that embodied the characteristics of postmodern interior design (minimalist furniture, high use of steel and glass within the space). In comparison the Shanghai building was designed the lobby keeping in mind the client by giving the room added warmth by pairing the chair with a colorful painting, something I had not seen in the exhibition. I guess when you travel to other countries; you get to see design in a different way.

Works cited:
http://www.krjda.com/text/projectDetail.cfm?id=102

a home for penguin donkey

my husband and i made a new addition to the family one month ago and decided that we needed an upgrade because the house we lived in was not big enough for our growing family. the house was a small two bedroom, one bathroom house in the suburbs, the kind of house that looked like every other house within our neighborhood. it was time for a change.

i was driving the other day in hickory after visiting my sister and decided to go house hunting. after two hours of driving around and getting lost, i found it. it was my future house. it was tucked away, out of sight from the main road. plain luck was what led me to it, because on any other day i would have driven right past the for sale sign. the house was a 1920s-1930s Art Deco inspired house. i stepped out of my car and took a good look at the two and a half acres that the stucco house sat on and then made my way to the entrance. the owner of the house answered the door and after explaining to her that i had to have the house she toured me around the house.it was a three bed room house, with two baths, an open kitchen, dining room garage, and my favorite the large living room.

among other things, the first floor consisted of the main hall, with the living area to the left. the afternoon sun shed light through the large vertical windows in the living area illuminating it and keeping it warm. the floors were hard wood and the walls had a fresh coat of white paint.as i stood there i thought, i could see my self living here, spending a sunday afternoon playing around with my kids in the living area. its so cozy. on most sundays thats what i do, i sit down in one of my womb chairs, pull out a book from my penguin donkey that sits between the two cream colored womb chairs and read to my kids. i heard its never too early to start reading to them.

the penguin donkey will fit right in this house modern style home. its usually difficult trying to make it not look so awkward, but in this house it is at home. both the style of the house and my penguin donkey are the same and share a simplistic nature. this is not only a home for my family and i, it is also home to my penguin donkey.

Buildings of the rich: Christyn

Dear Diary,
When my ancestors originated here from England they settled in Philadelphia. So far I really like this area. Its rather nice here in all the seasons. It gets pretty cold in the winter but the fireplaces in each room keep us warm. There’s a beautiful catholic church on one of the hills. Mother says we can’t go there because it is in Polish town, formally known as Conshohocken. Our church is pretty I guess but the one on the hill is just unique. Being a rather wealthy my family was always used to nice things, so why should America be any different. My father built our house with much attention to our luxurious needs. We have always had nice furniture here. I am not allowed to play in certain rooms such as the sitting parlor. This holds many-handcrafted furniture, with silk fabrics and expensive china. Only the adults are allowed to enter this room. I’ve always admired from afar one specific piece. It must be special because I hear mother gloating about it to all her snooty friends. It’s a sofa that has a handcrafted wood frame and it’s upholstered in a satin silk material with a floral print. I snuck in there once and sat on it, I was lucky I didn’t fall asleep or mother would have whipped me till my cheeks were as red as an apple. Someday I hope to join the adults in this room like my sister, but until then I must play in my room and the double parlor. I sometimes play tag in the central hallway but mother usually yells at me. All the bedrooms are upstairs and I must share mine with my younger sister, May for the time being. When Anna my older sister goes to college I will have hers to myself. Well diary that’s all I have so far today, it’s time for supper and I must change into my dinner attire.

So Long,
Carolyn

Syrian Biscuit Tin in Huntley & Palmer Bakery

Growing up and going to town was always a favorite thing to do. It was even more special in the town of Reading. What made Reading even more special is the fact that it is known as the biscuit town. This is all due to the famous Huntley & Palmers bakery. They are known all over the world, and their bakery is located right here, in my town! Every week, I would go into town with my mom to get all the cooking supplies that we would need to cook dinner for the family. My favorite store to go into was Huntley & Palmers bakery. It was located on London Street in a row of other shops and buildings, all of which are connected together. The bakery itself was two stories. The bottom story of the building was where all the biscuit were sold. In the front of the store are huge windows where all the biscuit tins could be seen, waiting to be sold. There would be all different sizes and shapes of tins, but one of my favorites and most intricate tin, was the Syrian Biscuit Tin. Looking in the store, you could see several of these stacked up together. Going into the bakery was like walking into a candy or toy store. Tins would be everywhere, and you could even see them making the biscuits. You could really tell that the business was growing and that soon Huntley & Palmer were going to need a new factory. Things did seem a little cramped in there, but overall the shop was quaint and fit well with its surroundings.

The Huntley & Palmer Factory could be compared to that of the Nichols house in similarity because both of them are connected to the buildings beside them. On the other hand, there are differences with the Nichols House because the two serve completely different functions.

source: Huntley & Palmer Website