Design Through the Ages… Timeless Beauty.

Period: Greek

Dates: 2000 BCE – 30 BCE

 

~Elegance                                                                                                  ~Precision                                                                                                                 ~Innovation

Greece around 2000 around BCE was a group of city states (1), which all had their own government and political systems. The economy was stimulated by trade. There was not a lot of agricultural activity. Mountainous terrain, other geographical obstacles, and conflict prevented the city states from uniting.  This eventually became their downfall, when the powers of the Roman empire conquered them.

 

(1)

Greek architecture is known for its temples, theatres, and public forums. Three orders of architecture were brought to life during this period: Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian (2).

(2)

The corresponding column styles exist of three parts: the base, the middle (or the shaft), and the capital.

 The Doric column does not have a base due to its simple design characteristics. Both the Ionic and the Corinthian columns have bases. Like the other column styles, the Doric column has fluting (3), or vertical engraving in the shaft. The Ionic columns have large scrolls engraved in the capitals. Those are called volutes (4).

(3) and (4)

The Corinthian columns are the most decorative. The capitals are decorated with acanthus leaves (5). The type of capital dictates the order name.

(5)

On top of the capitals the Greek built entablatures (6). These entablatures consist of three parts: the architrave sits on top of the capital. The second part is the frieze, which is a decorated border with carvings of lettering. Occassionally friezes are plain. Lastly we find the cornice, which is a series of decorative moldings. 

(6)      

A lot of the buildings in the Acropolis (7) (meaning:  the fortified height or citadel of an ancient Greek city) area of Athens had these characteristics. Some of the buildings in the Acropolis are the Parthenon, The Erechteion (8), and the Temple of Athena Nike.  The Parthenon is dedicated to the goddess Athena. It has Doric columns and coffered ceilings. The Erechteion is dedicated to Poseidon and Zeus. It has a tomb of the founder of Athens. The Erechteion has Ionic columns and caryatids (9). Caryatids are columns consisting of female shapes as the shaft of the columns.

    

     

(7) , (8) and (9)

Greek furniture of the period was simple and elegant. No authentic wood pieces are around today, since the Greek burned everything you owned when you died.

Thanks for reading my blog. Hope you liked it! Any feedback or additional info is welcome.

 

 

Condo for Rent, available immediately!

Hello!

Here are pictures of the condo where I spent many a free moment in the past several months. I painted all the walls (including closets), with accent walls in the dining room and the bedroom. After they put in new carpet, I installed ceramic tile by the front door and put in upgraded high baseboards throughout the residence.

For the kitchen I decided on 18″ travertine in a diagonal pattern. The diagonal install, done by me, creates a lot more drama, than putting it in straight lines. It was a lot more work, but worth it! A professional cabinet resurfacer took care of the cabinet faces. 

The bathroom was remodeled entirely. The glass bathtub enclosure was removed, which opened up the space tremendously! I had a professional resurface the bathtub, which was worth every penny. A new vanity with highly functional deep drawers in a light birch wood worked very well with the new soothing green paint that I used on the walls. New tile flooring, a round glass tile backsplash with a glass tile strip perimeter,  new toilet, new lamp, and new fixtures completed the zen-like feel of the bathroom.

New window treatments completed the remodel. The project is one that I am very proud of, especially the bathroom. I can’t wait to rent it out to someone and have them enjoy this condo, located in a beautiful residential area  close to the beach in San Diego.

~Strive…

Tip of the Day!!

Like most people, you probably need scissors right when you can’t find them. ‘They are in that drawer!’ Umm… No, they are not. ‘How about in that drawer?’ Again, no scissors… How annoying! How can this problem be solved? Let me tell you:

Put  a pair of scissors in every single one of your kitchen drawers!

That way, when you open up a drawer, there will be

scissors right there for you to use. Simple solution to an age-old problem!

Remember, you can find scissors for very low cost at many stores, for example at IKEA.

Southern California residence created by Designs by Corinne

Hi there!

Check out the pictures of a house turned into a home, by Designs by Corinne. By using bold colors, the interior immediately makes you feel at home. Selecting accessories was a fun endeavour. The owners are well-travelled, and wanted to have that reflected in their design.

Condo for Rent!!

Goodmorning!

Today I will be working on a condo that needs to be remodeled in order to be put up for rent asap. Most of the paint work has been done, save the closets and the bathroom. The change a coat of fresh paint makes! Luckily I absolutely love painting. Whether it is walls, murals, or on a canvas… I’ll put some of my work up soon! When the paint work is done, I’ll install some new flooring in the bathroom; after that I will put in a new toilet and vanity.  It’s a good thing my dad taught me all these handy skills while growing up! Thanks, dad!

~Dream

Hello world!

My first day as a blogger… This is something new and exciting! So now… what to blog about? I absolutely want to blog about my passion: Interior Design. And things that bother, intrigue, or amuse me. So let’s get this started.

Hello world! While I am on the computer trying to figure this site out, I am hearing John Lennon on TV in the background. He was an amazing man. 30 Years already… Sad.

~Imagine