Designing a space that is classic and modern yet revitalizing so that it feels refreshing is always something that the public looks forward to. Whether we are restoring or building onto a new site, people are always expecting something unique and tasteful. With the 20th century, modernism was becoming rapidly used throughout all sorts of design ideas. Now that the profession of interior decorator was officially made into its own, spaces could now be left to be somewhat of canvases. This was a time when designers as well as architects alike could put their ideas together and form spaces that could speak in different tones. While the dialogue of one room could be full of enthusiasm with colors and accents, another room could be having a monologue of its own that was interpreting a translation completely opposite of the structures foundation. This is sort of how architects and interior decorators worked side by side in a juxtaposed manner in order to achieve whatever was asked of them. However while this partnership seemed like a match made in heaven, it was really something that was at first thought to be a waste of time. Architects thought of this system of working together as a transpose. They didn’t want to be replaced by people who had half the knowledge and didn’t really know the whole story of architecture and design. It also did not help that those decorators happened to be woman, who at the time were not celebrated as being creatively endowed.
With modernism shifting to more geometric and simple terms, so did the connotations of society. Woman, as well as all interior decorators, began to be accepted throughout the design culture. With that began a more relaxed and meditated feeling within architecture. Spaces were not cluttered with all sorts of shapes and details; they were clean with lines and diagonals. They were focused on bringing forth a feeling of self and becoming one with the surroundings that enclosed. With this feeling, we can really understand that meditation of self was now a celebration of being one with nature and having all of what had nurtured us at our reach. With houses that included window walls, it was easy to understand this concept. The light from the sun was easily captured into the space which then caused shadows to form designs of their own. As one cannot work without the other, this too added to the geometric simplicity of replacing ornamental detailing with something more natural.
While the ideas of designers and architects might have been abstract and unique, the literal meaning behind their work was easy and quite clear. Historically, everything changes. We cannot be stuck in one place for too long without wanting to venture out and explore options, places, and most importantly our own curiosity. The 20th century gave designers a way to explore a place where they could now put to work everything from the past. To utilize knowledge and experience that was learned and combine it with that which has yet to be gained. Sometimes literal translations often come from abstract thoughts, which is the equation for that which we call creativity.
Reflection:
Who would have thought that interior decorating would ever cause any kind of problem to architects? I would have thought it would come as a relief now that the job of actually designing what would go into the space they built was not up to them anymore. As people came about to appreciate this new profession, the dialogue of architects changed as the monologue of decorators became more sufficient. It was clear that a juxtapose position in a professional environment was better than that of a transpose, mainly because it was all about teamwork. It was time to celebrate the fact that society has come thus far and made it possible for places not to be only for admiration but also for meditation. It was good to clear the mind of literal meanings and let it graze among abstract thoughts. This always sheds some light on the shadows that we do not often express which is sometimes where our best work is hidden.
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