| Knowing your preferred decorating style is the best | | | | marquetry is done properly, there shouldn't be any |
| way to confidently approach a decorating project. The | | | | disconnect between the two surfaces. Marquetry was |
| knowledge will help you to answer many questions | | | | reserved for the wealthiest people. Typically, you |
| and guide you through the myriad of decisions to | | | | would see this kind of work in Traditional styled |
| come. | | | | spaces. |
| In part two we will look at the decorative styles | | | | Also, in the 16th century there was a greater use of |
| contributed by the16th and 17th centuries. This five part | | | | wainscoting throughout the period. And, of course |
| series on decorating styles will give you a snap shot or | | | | wainscoting is popular when decorating in Country |
| a quick peek into the essence of decorating styles. It is | | | | style. During the 16th and 17th centuries paneling made |
| written so that anyone can benefit from the | | | | from hardwoods emerged. And, typically they were |
| information; the professional and the novice. | | | | left untreated and stained or limed. And most people |
| A brief look at the 16th & 17th centuries shows | | | | know what paneling is. Most people choose to remove |
| that decorating emphasis turned to the desire for | | | | pre-existing paneling because they feel it dates the |
| domestic comfort. This was largely due to the rapid | | | | home, and that's because it dates back to the 16th |
| spread of prosperity among the merchant classes of | | | | & 17th century. Transom windows became very |
| both Europe and the newly established American | | | | common by the late 16th century. A transom window |
| colonies. Stylistically speaking, the most noteworthy | | | | can be fixed or operable - meaning it opens or closes. |
| development was the widespread use of Classical | | | | Often a transom window is the windows you see |
| forms of ornament. This originated in Renaissance Italy | | | | above or on the side of a door - and it's only function |
| and was loosely interpreted in Europe and, later, | | | | is to allow extra light in. Transom windows are popular |
| America by way of pattern books. | | | | in Contemporary style homes. |
| The Oriental style of decorating became popular in the | | | | The most significant contribution to furniture during this |
| late 17th century as trading with China and India | | | | time was the introduction of upholstery. We already |
| became stronger. Architecturally speaking, the 16th | | | | know that the 16th & 17th century was when |
| century was when geometric patterned marble and | | | | domestic comfort became important. So, the benches |
| elaborate marquetry and parquetry floors became | | | | and boards used as chairs in the medieval days were |
| popular. Marquetry is the art of inlaying different woods | | | | cushioned by the addition of upholstery. Upholsters |
| and other natural material onto a surface to create a | | | | were also used to make carpets, tapestry, and |
| picture. When an inlay technique is applied the end | | | | draperies. Upholstered seating first appeared in Europe |
| result should be that the two surfaces have become | | | | in the 1620's. Fabrics used included leather, and velvet. |
| one. It is similar to when a floor set in tiles and then | | | | In part 3 of decorating styles we will take a glimpse at |
| there is a different pattern in a different tile altogether. | | | | the 18th to mid 19th century and what was offered to |
| Most of the time marquetry was done using woods, | | | | interior decorating. |
| but, materials like ivory, etc. can be used. If the | | | | |