Blog 2

Blog 2

Imagined Interiors: Representing the Domestic Interior Since the Renaissance.

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Chapter 8. Displaying Designs for the Domestic Interior in Europe and America, 1850-1950 by Jeremy Aynsley.

1. What was the focus of the essay? (Please write this in your own words).

This essay was focused on the rapid development and change of presentations for domestic interior designs to professional as well as public audience.

2. What did you learn from reading it?

I have learnt that during 1850 – 1950, idea of modern home was subject of major experiment and re-evaluation from many directions. Within design reform movement, artists criticized against unnecessary ornament and design returned to simplicity. Better domestic interior was the main subject due to standardized dwelling was built for industrialized cities after World War One. Then as people were pursuing different lifestyles, private preference became the main idea of interior designs.

3. What aspects of the interior were focused upon in these representations?

Within the Arts and Crafts movements in the late 19^th century, interiors came to be represented as a primary area of aesthetic concern and useful arts became the focus rather than unnecessary ornaments. Later on in the early 20^th century, the aesthetic movement had its strong advocates in the press and magazines had detailed descriptions of interiors. “While the editorial blend of each title was individual, sufficient common characteristics suggest that by 1900 they had become a defined genre of magazines publishing that in many respects continues on similar lines today.” (Aynsley, 199). These would fulfill the desires of the reader, rather than presenting an actually affordable home. Articles offer hints in decorating at a more practical level. Artistic interiors were promoted and detailed photos became a trend for design magazines till now. The developments of press, magazines as well as typographic reform have make publications with integrated images, more colorful and could be attractive to readers.

4. How are these representations of the interior analyzed by the author of the essay in relation to the religious, and/or social, and cultural values that were important at the specific time and place they were constructed?

Following the mass destruction of First World War, many modern initiatives were originally directed towards the minimum developing for dwellings where standardization of furniture was applied. Modernist interiors for post wartime industrialized city workers had similarities with people who live in city apartments nowadays. Therefore better domestic interior was the subject of investigation and study and people are keen to learn how to justify the arrangement of rooms. Later on people were seeking variety of lifestyles and separation between work and home, therefore individual pleasures of home were stressed as a universal goal. In Sweden domestic interior stressed natural material and practicality. By contrast, In Germany home used to promote messages about the role of the family in national life. Instead of seeking a collective experience, individual and private pleasures of home were stressed as a universal good.

works cited:

Aynsely, Jeremy. & Grant, Charlotte. Imagined Interiors: Representing the Domestic Interior Since the Renaissance. London: V & A Publications, 2006.

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