Italian Renaissance

Over the period of the Renaissance, there was a progression from simple and functional to decorated. This can be seen in all aspects of style and design from this time period, whether it be architectural or on a smaller scale of furniture. 

Interiors
A Renaissance interior could be characterized with high contrast in color and surface articulation. Most walls were plaster, painted or featuring frescoes. More elaborate rooms may have had a treated wall with marble or wood paneling. Walls also often included wall hangings. Made of leather or fabric, these hangings could be relatively simple or embroidered and gilded. Floors were most commonly made of wood, but in more fancier rooms they had brick or tile. Marble and Turkish carpets were some of the extremely elaborate, rare options. Ceilings were very important to the interior of a Renaissance building. The ceilings became a space to be designed and were often considered a piece of architecture. Beams were used to emphasize the horizontal plane of the ceiling. The beams were painted and sometimes carved with classical details. 

Furniture
Many big Renaissance pieces of furniture resemble buildings. They have a base, multiple stories and columns, and an overhanging cornice. Elaborate beds with tall headboard could be found. The Renaissance bed differed from the Roman bed because it was no longer used for dining and was much more monumental in size, form, and decoration. Chests continued to play an important part of furniture that had multiple uses. A cassapanca was a chest that was often used as seating; it was slightly taller and had a back and arms. A credenza was a storage unit with a higher elevation than a chest. It was used for storage and display. Smaller furniture of this time was a continuation of the medieval period. Seating was much more simple when compared to the furniture around it. The most common seating found were stools, benches, and chairs. 

Modern Examples
The elaborate bed and ceiling design of the pictures below are aspects that relate to the Italian Renaissance design period. The more modern pieces can take on a much simpler form or continue to incorporate elaborate details.

Helpful Videos 
Renaissance Art & Architecture in Florence | http://youtu.be/8xSEamC-Qxo
Italian Renaissance Art Overview | http://youtu.be/rVQBVE9BzYk

Peer Reviews
Emma | I really liked the emphasis on architecture that Emma had on her blog. Since I focused more on the interior aspects of this time, it was very interesting to learn more about the exteriors. 
Shannon | I thought it was awesome that Shannon found pictures of a whole house that was decorated from this time period. It was really cool to see the style in so many different applications.