Chapter 13: English Late Renaissance (continued)

 Chapter 13: English Late Renaissance (continued) 

Satin wood shield back chairs were very popular as part of the Adam style or characteristics of his work in architecture and interior design. The interiors and the furniture used a lot of Satinwood with formal and symmetrical styles. 

Mirrors are a key aspect of Adam characteristics in the interior. Mirrors are most commonly oval shaped in a flat, reeded molding. The mirrors have details featuring festoons and swags of husks or bell flowers with finial topping the whole arrangement. They are often metal and painted to match the frame.

The Pembroke table and the classic sideboards are common furniture pieces from George Hepplewhite characteristics. The sideboards were popular for having numerous legs. 

 

The Makers series chairs and upholstered arm chair are more pieces of furniture. The chairs from the George Hepplewhite style had straight legs that were slender and slightly tapered. They usually ended in a spayed foot and had some stretchers. The backs were oval, shield, or heart-shaped and upholstered with a variety of back splats and pierced designs. 

Thomas Sheraton is another architecture and designer that uses satinwood and has furniture legs similar to George Hepplewhite's furniture design. The furniture from his style is usually smaller and featured in dressing rooms. The Pedestal desk is a well-known piece that is famous for the kidney shape. The sideboard with a brass rod, and a type of multi-purpose folding furniture. 

 

Current Applications:

Fabrics and wallpapers today echo the Adam design style and characteristics. The traditional design inspired by the late English renaissance used these fabrics that are now seen in pillows, furniture, rugs, wallpaper, and more!

The furniture, specifically the chairs, are seen in interiors today and reflect the design style from the English age. The use of satinwood shows the connection to the English renaissance. 

Mirrors are still used in luxurious interiors as a statement piece. The gold metals and details speak to the craft and delicacy of the age. 

One Step further:

Robert Adam is a Scottish architect and designer. He was the leader of the English and Scottish classical revival and took part in the Late Renaissance design style of England. His style, beginning in the 18th century, is known for being airy, light, and elegant. The “Adam style” can be known as a variation of the Neoclassical style with classical antiquity, art and culture, as well as curvature and mixed color schemes. He also applied the concept of movement to his interiors. He brought the revival of Greek and Roman style into his architecture and design by integrating various elements. Adam used materials such as wood, brick, plaster, fabric, metal, stucco and stone in his exteriors and interiors. These materials created features such as classical columns and pilasters, entablatures, arch forms, domes and panels ornamented with classical motifs. These are all common of the Greco-Roman architecture and it is what Robert Adam recreated in the late English Renaissance. We can still recognize his style and furniture in current applications of English Renaissance inspired spaces today.