Housing Styles

This week in interior design we discussed the many different architectural styles. It's important to know the different styles because it help you identify houses in the real world, and gives you a sort of new vocabulary. SO, without further adieu, the housing styles:

Saltbox

The saltbox style house is mainly characterized by its saltbox roof. It got its name because of its resemblance to old fashioned saltboxes. The windows are long and tall, designed to face South to capture the sun and its warmth, white the longer part of the roof is made to face the North so it catches the wind.

Garrison

The Garrison style house is the "Plain Jane" of colonial timed houses. It have very little decorative details, and long, narrow clapboard. The biggest identifier for this house is how the second story overhangs the first, and usually in the front.

Georgian

The Georgian Colonial Revival was named for King George. These houses have classic details around the doors, such as a fanlight. They are always appear symmetrical and and often give of a feeling of order. Some of the houses have wood siding (as pictured above), but most are made of brick. 

Federal

These houses are somewhat similar to Georgian houses, as that they have classic details such as palladian windows, columns, and are symmetrical buildings. The lower level windows are often bigger or taller than the upper levels. The roof of this style of house is low-pitched and often disappears.

Greek Revival

This style of house is crafted to look like ancient Greek or Roman buildings. The White House has this style because is conveys the beliefs of the ancient cultures. Other buildings this can be found en are banks and libraries. There house are always either brick, or white clapboard. The sport classical details such as porticoes, pillars, pediments, and more. These are formal houses, with symetry, and give off the feel of authority.

Cape Cod

The Cape Cod is the smallest of the Colonial Revivals. It also often show symmetry, and has small pillars and a classical pediment. Most of these houses have dormers, but some do not. Originally, they were sided with wood shingles, but now they are most often sided with wooden clapboard.

Gothic Revival

Not very popular in today's society, Gothic Revivals were built in the nineteenth century to be modeled after medieval Gothic cathedrals. They borrow characteristics such as pointed arches, high-pitched roofs, elaborate decorative trim, and towers.

Row House

Row houses are built on long, narrow properties close together which caused them be built UP rather than OUT. The walls of each house are set against each other, and the fronts often resemble each other.  These houses are popular in high populated areas.

Italian Villa

Italian Villas can take many shapes and forms, but have a few key features which they all share. Classic columns, round arches, and pediments are common features. On the corners they have Quoins, which are stones stacked up in varying sizes.

Stick Style

These houses become popular during the industrial revolution when the jig saw was invented. This allows builders to create many intricate and individual wood decorations. Porches, windows and eves all possess this wood work, and it is this style of home's distinguishing feature.

Art Nouveau

Art Nouveau is much more decorative than most houses. There are often human faces wearing fancy headdresses, plants and flowers through out the decorations. Many of these designs are made with cement or stucco. Another popular form is stained glass windows.

Queen Anne

While many Queen Annes today are painted white, many of the originals were multicolored. Also know as a "ginger bread" house, they have large, sweeping porches and often towers or turrets. Like the Stick houses, they often have very detailed wood work on porches, windows and sometimes patterned wood shingles. They can be described as being romantic and article. 

Tudor

Tudors always have a few staple design features such as, brick on the bottom, and white stucco in the top. They are also know for their dark, wood timbers and steep gable roofs. They will often have a fire place visible at he front or side of the house. When inscribed, they are considered romantic, dignified, and comfortable.

Dutch

The most distinguishing feature of this style house is its gambrel roof. Like other colonials, it always has symmetry, one side mirroring the other. Other popular features include dormers and pediments.

Spanish

The Spanish style is very unique in that is is made of poured cement or a stucco, and has clay shingles on the roof. There are no other real set features other than the general "Spanish style."

Prairie

This style was created by Frank Lloyd Wright around 1901. It has low, long lines, open balconies, and long spreads of windows.This is made to reflect the the flat, open environment of the prairie. This natural feel also gives off the feeling of protection or shelter. Mainly found in the Midwest,  these "organic houses" are very simplistic.

Ranch

The ranch house is always only one story high. They are very popular because they were the first houses to have an attached garage (previous house would have detached carriage houses).They often have small front porches, large front lawns, picture windows, shutters, and patios in the back yard.

The international style is pretty unique looking. It is commonly made of concrete, glass, and steel. It is slightly cold feeling, and is most commonly seen in commercial buildings.They are simple, contemporary, geometric buildings taking on the "less is more" attitude.

Split Level

Split level homes are very common in this area. They were first built in the 20th century, designed for houses on uneven land. The main floor is not on the same level as the front door, so you must either step up or step down to get it it.

Rustic

The rustic house is characterized by the feeling feeling it gives off more so than the design. They give off an outdoorsy, woodsy home. These are commonly seen as cabins, or vacation homes. They often has stone, and wood on the exterior.

Chalet or Alpine

This style began as a Swiss mountain cottage, but later adopted the term alpine to describe it. It features long, over hanging eaves, and wood siding. It often includes a large deck. However, this style can vary from region to region.

A-Frame

The A-frame gained popularity in the 50s as a vacation home or cabin in the US and Canada. It has a steeped pitched roof, which also serves as two of the side walls. This simplistic design was inexpensive to build. Over the years, this style has been incorporated in to other styles (Such as the Chalet) to expand and make it more elaborate.

Dome

This is a very unique style, not seen very often. They are made of light, but strong triangular panels, arranged to create the dome shape. These were mainly used in the 50s for military and and industrial purposes. These buildings are economical and easy to build.

Solar

Solar houses are extremely efficient, and designed to work well with nature. There are two types, Active Solar, and Passive Solar. The former has panels titled toward the sun, to absorbed it energy and convert that in heat. The latter doesn't involve machinery, but they uses features such as south-facing windows, shading devices, double-pane windows, thick insulation, and heat absorbing masonry elements.

Earth Sheltered

Earth sheltered homes are literally built into the earth (please enjoy this hobbit house). The beginning of this style traces back to the first human shelters which were caves. They are most often lined with soil on the back and sides, but sometimes the roof is also covered. These homes conserve energy and has some similar features to the Solar houses such as south-facing windows. These houses usually has a low, narrow shape, and are designed to be simple and practical. Their build possess clean lines lines and modern materials like concrete. 

Manufactured

This style of house is build, sometimes entirely, in a factory. They are transported but truck to the building site where they are assembled. The benefits of this house include lower costs, and shorter construction times.

Mobile Home

Mobile Homes are a type of the manufactured style. They are can be situated on a private lots, or in a mobile home park. They used to be called "trailer" homes, but cause of their long, narrow appearance which made it easier to move, but today they are getting build in more traditional styles while still retaining the long and narrow look.

Duplex

A duplex consists of two housing unite connected in one building. Sometimes they are adjacent to one another, but can also be stacked on top of each other. They are also know as double house, double-Decker, twin house, or a two-family house. They take up less land and are cheaper to build than two separate houses which is what makes them popular. This is a building type, not a style, so it can be build in any sort of style.

Neo-Eclectic

This is one of the most commonly built styles today. It is a contemporary home that mixes and matches different elements of the Tudor, Victorian, and colonial styles. The most popular thing seen on this style is Palladian windows. Also, they often have Queen Anne-style gables, and a front porch. 

High Rise Apartment

Three or more housing units joined together is usually called apartments. High rise apartments are six (or more) units stacked horizontally one on top of another. These are built in highly populated areas, to conserve space.

Bungalow

Finally, the bungalow (One of my favorite styles, by the way). They were offered by Sear as a mail order house from 1911 to 1920. This style is characterizes by its simplicity, and materials being left as close to their natural state as possible. Each house possessed a front porch, low pitched roof, exposed rafters and braces, and dormers. They often has a gable and/or shed roof. They are very popular in California, and often associated with small town ideas.



So there was have it--the housing styles!

Color Schemes

Monochromatic:


The first color scheme up is monochromatic. the original value is yellow, and pieces of the room have different shades and tints of the color. The monochromatic yellow gives the room a soft, flowy feeling.

Analogous:


Next is analogous. This color scheme must include colors next to each other on the color wheel. I chose red, red-orange, orange, and yellow orange to use in this room. These colors give the room a strong, regal feeling.

Split-Complementary:


Split complementary is when you choose one main value, like blue, but use the colors directly next to it and across from it on the color wheel. so this room includes a darker  blue-violet, a lighter blue-green (how ever both these colors that I used are slightly closer to blue than green or violet), and orange. The lighter colors give this room a fun, excitable feel, but the darker color make the room feel more reserved.

Triadic:

Finally, we have triadic. this color scheme includes colors that are equal distances apart on the color wheel. I chose green, violet, and orange. Because of the brightness of the colors i believe this room has a proud, strong feeling to it.

Color Texture Questions

What Factors influence the psychological impact color has on people?
Some of the different psychological factors that influence the impact of color can be age, gender,culture and life experiences.

Summarize the feeling each of the following colors evoke in people
Red- The color red can evoke power, danger, fire, strength, and passion.
Green- Green gives off the feeling of nature and and is commonly associated with peace, luck ,envy, and hope.
Violet- This color is royal, dignified, and dramatic.

Name the secondary colors. What primary colors, in what proportions, are used to make each?
 The secondary colors are green, orange, and violet. All of these colors are made by mixing an equal amount of two primary color. Green is made with blue and yellow, orange is red and yellow, and finally, violet, is made of blue and red.

Which color name is listed first in the name of a tertiary color?
Tertiary, or intermediate colors, are named first with the primary color and then with the secondary color. For example, a mix of blue and green is called "blue-green."

Contrast value and intensity of color?
Value refers to lightness and darkness of a color while intensity refers to how bright or dull a color is.

What are the differences between a tint, shade, and tone?
Tint is adding white to  a color, shade is adding black, and tone is adding grey to a color.

Summarize how to neutralize a hue.
To neutralize a hue you must mix it with its opposite color. fore example, you can mix blue and orange to neutralize it, or green and red, etc.

Name two warm colors and two cool colors.
Two warm colors are red and orange. Two cool colors are blue and green.

Identify an example of each of the seven color harmonies.
A monochromatic harmony is one basic hue, with its tints, shades and tones. An example would be a light blue, a grey blue and a navy blue.
A Complementary harmony is colors across from each other on the color wheel. Blue and Orange is an example of this.
An example of a Split-Complimentary harmony is blue, red-orange, and yellow-orange.
Double complimentary colors are two pairs of complementary colors. For example, red and green and violet and yellow fit this.
Analogous colors are next to each other on the color wheel. Red, red-orange, and orange is an analogous color harmony.
Triadic color harmonies use colors that are an equal distance apart on the color wheel. An example is yellow, blue, and red.
Neutral color harmonies simply use neutral colors, such as grey, black ,and white.

What factors influence the way color harmonies are used in planning an interior design?
Mood. styles, lifestyle, function of the room, objects in the room, and location of the room influence the way color harmonies are used.

Summarize the guidelines for using color correctly in a room design.
The guidelines for using color correctly are: color gains intensity over large areas, contrasting colors draw attention, color harmonies are easier on the eye when the base color dominates, select low intensity colors for large spaces, heavily textured colors make surfaces appear darker, if a space is large choose a color to make it appear smaller, if a room is small, and choose colors to make it appear larger.

Question #13 (I'm not typing that one all the way out)
Instead of just warm, or just cool colors, the couple should choose a mix of both. This can be done using harmonies. The best choice would be to choose a complimentary harmony that would use one warm, and one cool color. They do not have natural lighting, though, so they will have to be careful how the type of light they use will change or distort the color.

Elements of Design: Texture

This week in interior design we were talking about the elements of design, specifically texture. We were to create an Oilioboard containing at least 12 items to show visual, tactile, and audible texture. Obviously I found more than 12 items. So, i will discuss four items that fit each category. First up is...Visual!
The small green plant appears to have an organic shape (not straight, symmetric lines, but curvy, willy-nilly lines). If you were to touch it, it probably would be slightly rough because of  its tiny little leaves. This plants contributes an organic, natural feeling to the room. In the lower right hand corner there is a silver, shiny pig. It would probably have a smooth and cool surface. Mr. piggy gives of an interesting vibe to the room, on one hand it gives it a sleek feel, but also a homey-cutesy feeling. Hanging from the ceiling sits a wild, pink chandelier. This funky piece is made to look like a big tangle of vines and flowers. It is probably made of a paper or thing cardboard, so it would be pretty rough because of all the little pieces, but smooth we just toughing a small part of the paper. It gives off a fun, energetic feeling because of all the crisscrossing diagonal lines. Last up for visual texture, the barrel side table located front a center. it looks to made of fake wood, to give the allusion of having a rough texture, but is slightly shiny which could suggest that it may be smooth. This is yet another piece that gives a natural feeling to the room.
Tactile texture is directly how the object will feel. On top of the barrel side table I have just mentioned, it s funky looking bird that I am not quite sure if it is supposed to be a vase or a bowl. it has a smooth glaze, but the out side of the vase/bowl has bumps over it. This adds more interest to the piece. Overall, the smoothness of this object adds a sleekness to the room. On the floor next to the vase/bowl it the zebra rug. this one depends on how you tough the object, if you just step on it, or feel it in the direction the fur goes, it will be very soft, but if you go against the fur it will feel rough and course. More often, you'll probably feel the softness of it, resulting in a homey feel added to the room.Behind the couch is a large wooden shelf. This shelf has not been stained  or given any sort of covering, so it is rough feeling like normal wood. It has some metal  brackets and bolts holding it together, and those a smoother. The natural feeling object gives this room an organic feel, and the brackets and bolt give the room a slight industrial feel. On the floor to the left of shelf is small army of elephants (and one giraffe) which contains a grey plush elephant. The elephant is very soft and squishy. This gives the room a soft, homey feel.
The final element of texture to discuss is audible. This on is tricky because it is harder to think about how the object sounds and how that contributes to the room. without further ado, I give you the first audible texture object: The couch. This is a leather couch, so I would imagine it would be pretty noisy. My first thought is it would be squeaky. I also think it would be pretty creaky when moving around on it. Leather is typically regarded as a higher end characteristic, so this gives the room an expensive feel. Sitting on the couch is a Buddha statue, and behind that is pretty, blue vase. This vase is going to have a musical note-esk ding when it is hit. The sound will be as soft and pretty as the appearance is. Overall, this piece will give the room a more soft, dainty feel. Across the room, there is a bright, aqua blue rocking chair. This will give off a creaky sound when rocked on. This sound has a connotation reminding someone of a small cozy home, and therefore, gives the room the same sort of feeling. The Final object sits on top of the dresser at the middle back of the room. A metallic skull figure has a hollow sound (as it is likely hollow on the inside). Combining the look of the figure, the skull itself, and the sound, this object gives off a feeling of eeriness, and openness.

Elements of Design: Lines

Curved Lines
This room design is full of curved lines. From the couch, to to the fanlights above the windows, to the tables, lamps and chandelier, curved lines are featured throughout the room. These lines are more decorative than functional. They make the room look large and expansive. They give the room more interest and softness. The room feels more charming, flowy, and comfortable.
Vertical Lines
This Olioboard showcases vertical lines. They can be found on the corners of the walls, windows and window casement, curtains, and a picture board. These successfully make the room appear taller and draw the eye upward. These lines give this room a more regal, and formal feeling. Most of these lines are functional and serve a purpose, like the windows and walls. Others, however, are more decorative, like the picture board. The curtains and window casement can be categorized by both.
Horizontal Lines
This Olioboard shows horizontal lines through the top of the table, top of the windows, bottom of the rug, and the line of the chair tops. These lines make the space appear wider, and draws the eye out. Typically, horizontal lines give off a restful, casual feeling.
Diagonal Lines
Diagonal lines are more difficult to find in Olioboard designs, but this on shows them pretty well. The rug on the floor contains cross-crossing diagonal likes, and the legs of the table also contain diagonal boards. These lines are all more decorative than they are functional. They add interest to a room and give the allusion of movement or excitement.