Tibetan Architecture

When speaking about Tibetan architecture we primarily refer to three types of structures - first, the palace or fortress, second, the monastery and temple, and third, the house.

There are other structures built that may employ characteristic elements of uniquely Tibetan style, namely stupas. Stupas are on one hand repositories of remains of distinguished deceased monks and lamas, or their personal, considered holy, objects. Stupas also represent spiritual diagrams or symbols of Buddhist interpretation of the elements of universe and body of Buddha. Inherently the stupas in Tibet proper share design characteristics found elsewhere, namely south of the Himalayas whence Buddhism spread from and with it brought certain features that are repeated throughout all Buddhist cultures of Asia.

The so called palaces are best represented by the massive Potala Palace in Lhasa. While referred to as palace, Potala had indeed been the seat of Tibet's spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. It had been Dalai Lama's principal residence and the institution of religious study thus housing key temples, shrines and living quarters of the monks. Structurally the massive building sits atop a prominent hill with a commanding view and intrinsically possesses defensive elements of a fortress with inclined walls, a feature found in all forms of Tibetan architecture.

Patterned on the Potala design there is a similar structure found in Leh Ladakh, known as the Little Tibet of India. The Leh Palace was an actual king's palace as well as a fort and it is constructed of stone and rammed earth, though Ladakh village houses are mostly built of an adobe style of brick.

A design related to palace types of structures are dzongs, which are found throughout Buddhist world of the region at large, from Tibet to Ladakh, Nepal, Sikkim and Bhutan. In the outer provinces or countryside of the Buddhist Himalayas the dzongs were strongholds of the local landowners or governing noblemen and typically are the largest structures, often built on higher ground.

In Bhutan dzongs were and to this date continue to house principal government offices and the monasteries within their walls stage the key monastic festivals, namely Tshechus and Dromchoes. Three of the fines dzongs in Bhutan are those of Thimphu, Paro and Punakha. While some temples within the dzongs, known as lhakhangs in Bhutan, are open to the public, some are reserved only for worship by the King.

Monasteries typically also employ a fortress style of design. Most often monasteries were built in the center of villages and would be the largest structures. Throughout the greater region of the Himalayas they would often be pained in different color than the village houses, usually deep crimson as opposed to houses that would be whitewashed. But it is not uncommon to find the monasteries located in remote areas, away from the villages, on the periphery of villages or in remote locations altogether, for example next to steep cliffs in which case the cliffs would often be studded with man-made meditation caves, serving as meditation retreats for the monks.

Village house architecture is in general of two styles. When the villages are dispersed settlements, the individual houses are relatively free-standing structures but always displaying the fortress-style of inclined walls.

Opposite style of houses developed in compact villages, where houses are constructed attached to one another horizontally, hugging the contour of a mountain, and when built on steep slopes the houses connect vertically allowing one to traverse from one rooftop to another in either direction, horizontally as well as vertically, as if navigating steps.

Fine examples of village dzong architecture can be found throughout the rain shadow valleys of the Nepal Himalayas, in the lateral valleys behind the principal chain of the High Himalaya, for example in the side valley of the upper Kali Gandaki en route to Muktinath.

In either case the Tibetan house design repeats essentially same functions. The ground level of the house is reserved for livestock and fodder, and for storage of farming implements and carrying baskets. Second level contains the kitchen and living quarter, as well as bedrooms. In larger homes the bedrooms would be on a third floor, which would then also have a prayer room with a house altar. Being flat, roofs constitute essential living and working area of the house. This is where people gather, women weave, dry grains, or household members just rest enjoying warm winter sun on cold days when staying at daytime on a rooftop is preferable to cold interior.

Greek Architecture

Architecture in ancient Greece was usually done with wood or mud-bricks, so their ground plans are the only evidence of their existence. Greeks established most of the most enduring themes, attitudes, and forms of western culture. Architecture is one of the Greek legacies that the western civilization has inherited, as Greece established many of the structural elements, decorative motifs, and building types still used in architecture today.

The two main styles of Greek architecture are doric and ionic. The doric style is much more disciplined and austere, whereas the ionic style is more relaxed and decorative. There was a strong emphasis in building temples for the Greek mythological gods and goddesses. But, there were also well known public buildings like the Parthenon.

Building materials used were limestone and some native stones. Highly expensive marble was used mainly for sculptural decoration found in grand buildings of the classical period. The roofs of their buildings were made up of timber beams covered with overlapping terracotta or occasionally marble tiles.

The structure of ancient Greek architecture consists of a basic cube or rectangle, flanked by colonnades, and a long sequence of columns. Building will have a pronao or a portico that open up to a large open court peristyle. Greeks used very little of the principles of the masonary arch, individual blocks bound together by mortar. The front end of the roof has flat triangular shaped structure, the pediment which is usually filled with scultural decoration.

Temples are the best known form of Greek architecture. The altar of the temple was usually found in the sacred fane, an enclosure, in front of the temple. The inner building of the temple, cella, served mainly as the storage room. The other common public builds of the Greek architecture are gymnasiums, the palaestra, and theatres.

In ancient Greece, architects were hardly treated as valuable master craftsmen, unlike today where the architects are closely associated with the work they produce. And moreover, architecture was not seen as an art form, as it is in modern times.

Modern Architecture

Modern architecture is a style found in the buildings that have simple form without any ornamental structures to them. This style of architecture first came up around 1900. By 1940, modern architecture was identified as an international style and became the dominant way to build for many decades in the 20th century. Modern architects apply scientific and analytical methods to design.

Many historians relate the origins of this style of architecture to the social and political revolution of the time, though others see modern architecture as primarily driven by technological and engineering developments. The availability of new materials such as iron, steel, concrete, and glass brought about new building techniques as part of the industrial revolution. Some regard modern architecture as a reaction against ancient building style. Above all, it is widely accepted as a matter of taste.

For the international style, the most commonly used materials are glass for the facade, steel for exterior support, and concrete for the floors and interior supports. The floor plans are functional and logical. But, many people are not fond of the modern style. They find its stark, uncompromisingly rectangular geometrical designs quite inhumane. They think this universal style is sterile, elitist, and lacks meaning.

Modern architecture challenged traditional ideas about the types of structures suitable for architectural design. Only important civic buildings, aristocratic palaces, churches, and public institutions had long been the mainstay of architectural practices. But, modernist designers argued that architects should design everything that was necessary for society, even the most humble buildings.

Architects began to plan low-cost housing, railroad stations, factories, warehouses, and commercial spaces. In the first half of the 20th century, modern architects produced furniture, textiles, and wallpaper - as well as designing houses - to create a totally designed domestic environment. The aesthetics used by modern architects celebrated function in all forms of design, from household furnishings to massive ocean liners and new flying machines.

Modern architecture originated in the United States and Europe and spread across the rest of the world. The characteristic features that made modern architecture possible were buildings, stylistic movements, technology, and modern materials.

Tuscan Architecture

 Tuscan architecture combines modern and classic elements that make up pure Old World Europe. The beauty of architecture Tuscan style comes from the typical custom crafted natural stone. This includes limestone, travertine and marble. Terracotta floor and roof tiles are often used to give the antique feel. In Tuscan architecture, wooden beams are often refurbished from Tuscan farmhouses.

Tuscany architecture involves fine Italian building materials that create beautiful marble fireplaces, wrought iron gates and amazing fountains.

Integrating Tuscan elements brings a sense of Old-World charm and mystique to indoor and outdoor aspects of your home.

Exterior architecture typically include:

Tile roof Wrought iron front door entrance Walls covered with vines Crumbling stone walls that outline patios and walkways Beautiful travertine cobblestone driveways Brick or stone set garden paving Tuscan Landscape : Lavender, rosemary and sage can be found surrounding a Tuscan style home. Old lemon pots and antique jars give the feel of a Tuscany garden .

Interior architecture typically include:

Walls: Plaster walls with hand painted wall treatments. Usage of warm colors that represent the rolling hills of Tuscany bring the feel of basking under the Tuscan sun! Mediterranean decor involves subtle earth tones. These are standard in French Country decorating.

Ceilings: Textured richly. Stenciled borders can be found along the ceilings. Paneled or vaulted ceilings are a typical choice in decor as it creates pure Tuscany architectural framework. Wooden or chestnut beams provide a rustic feel to the Old World style home.

Floor: Glass, stone and tile are often used to create amazing mosaic art for flooring, which works well with table tops. Terracotta tiles, marble and ceramic flooring marks true Tuscany home decor. Selection of marbles that blend nicely with your Tuscan color palette.

Tuscany architecture uses pale travertine in home flooring. Marble Chips, stucco and crushed stone are polished nicely creating terrazo floors.

Norman Architecture

Norman Architecture, named so due to its roots in Normandy, arose in the Middle Ages. It began in the early 11th century and ended by the 12th century, following the Saxon architectural movement and preceding the Gothic movement. Norman architecture is a form of the prevailing Romanesque Architecture that was propagated by the Normans (or Vikings) who conquered England. Its development gave rise to large and impenetrable cathedrals, fortresses, castles, and fortifications.

The archetypal monastery building arose during this movement, with its squat buildings that were either rectangular or circular. For instance, the renowned abbey Mont-Saint-Michel was built in the Norman era. In fact, the majority of Norman Architecture is religious structures, from village churches to royal cathedrals. A hallmark of Norman churches is their cross-like shape, deriving from the Roman basilica pattern. These churches also had bell towers, or campaniles, which were built nearby the main church buildings.

The quintessential medieval castles are also a distinctly Norman innovation. They arose not only in England but also in Scotland, Ireland, Normandy, and even Italy. In Italy, however, Norman features were combined with Byzantine and Arabic styles, which made for less gloominess.

Norman Architecture is actually an outgrowth of Romanesque Architecture, which began in Lombardy, Italy. Romanesque derives much of its architecture from classic Roman styles, such as arches, vaults, columns, and arcades. It greatly utilized the rounded arch, a Roman invention. It also used a great variety of vault styles. The prevailing type was the barrel vault, a curved vault used widely in cloisters.

The building materials used in Norman Architecture mainly included stones, so as to give the buildings greater stability. These stones were uncut because there were no real architectural jobs, such as mason jobs, in the Norman era. Therefore, buildings were made up of large, irregularly shaped stones that contributed to their bulky look.

Norman roofs were vaulted, like their Roman predecessors. Vaults allowed for more balanced weight distribution across the roof. Norman buildings' adornment was minimal, though some architects used their chisels to carve a series of arches into walls. These were not actual arches, but carvings giving a trompe de l'oeil effect. Moreover, some architects carved moldings onto stone surfaces. A minority of architects even became so adroit with their chisel that they sculpted animals onto reliefs over doorways, or tympanums. Arches and columns were also minimally decorated elements. As the Norman movement reached its peak in the 12th century, however, it gave rise to more ornamentation. This ornamentation gradually culminated in the first stained glass windows in the 12th century, directly before the Gothic Architecture took hold.

Norman Architecture is additionally distinguished by very small windows. Before the Gothic movement, architects avoided installing large windows because it increased the chances of building collapse. Therefore, people who resided in Norman buildings were in extremely dim surroundings, using candles as their only source of light. It wasn't until the Gothic period that architects safely installed huge windows to let in an enormous quantity of light, giving cathedrals their celestial quality.

Yet, Romanesque and Norman Architecture also blazed new trails by installing much taller buildings, such as castles and cathedrals, which were the largest structures in Europe at that point. These buildings were usually square and inhabited by guards who worked as night watchmen, scanning the surrounding landscape for intruders.

With these taller buildings came much denser walls to give the needed support to these great heights. Inside these buildings, there were also large columns that bolstered structural support. These walls would become much thinner with the advent of flying buttresses, which arose in the Gothic movement.

One of England's first pieces of Norman Architecture was London's Westminster Abbey. Though this structure is now largely Gothic, it began as a Norman construction. Many Gothic structures, in fact, began as Norman buildings that were later elaborated on by Gothic architects. Many central towers (keeps) on castle and cathedral grounds were also Norman. These square, dense-walled structures were used as dungeons as well as defense fortresses. The Tower of London (also called the White Tower), which served as the royal dungeon, is another penultimate example of Norman Architecture. Like all Romanesque buildings, it was tall in its day, reaching about 90 feet high. It also contained extremely thick walls, spanning about 15 feet wide, to support that height. It is, like many Romanesque buildings, a fortress-like building.

While Gothic Architecture produced extremely tall, magnificent structures, these structures were essentially continuations of Norman Architecture. Gothic Architecture utilized pointed arches rather than Norman rounded arches, along with ribbed vaults that were combinations of Norman barrel vaults. Therefore, Gothic Architecture as we know it may not have taken place without its grounding in Norman Architecture.

Today, most people immediately associate Norman and Romanesque architectural styles with the fairy-tale medieval period. Architects have learned that these castles and cathedrals were not so much royal residences as densely armed fortifications. In truth, most Norman structures have been the sites of much bloodshed and suffering. The "Dark Ages," by which the Middle Ages was alternately known, may have been due in part to the dimness of Norman buildings, as a result of their extremely small windows.

Today's architects are not rebuilding Norman Architecture, except for historical reproduction purposes. Church builders, moreover, take more inspiration from the Gothic period than any other architectural period. However, most architects certainly regard the Norman movement as an architectural watershed. Norman Architecture realized unsurpassed heights and first renewed the magnificence of classical styles. Though taking place in a dark period, it manifested the collective desire to reawaken human greatness, as people perceived it in classical architecture. Part of Norman Architecture's legacy was to have passed on this desire in large measure to the succeeding Renaissance era.

Roman Architecture

Roman architecture is a fusion of traditional Greek and the Etruscan elements, where arches were developed and horizontal beams were supported by columns. Later, three dimensional counterpart of the arch, namely the dome was introduced. Apart from this, Roman architects found their inspiration from the Greek architecture at large.

The basic building materials of the Roman architecture are stones, developed concrete, and highly expensive marble. The idea behind mosaic, a decoration of colorful chips of stone inset into cement, was brought from Greece. Roman homes joined the well known mural decorating floors, walls, and grottoes in geometric and pictorial designs.

Architecture of the Romans was always eclectic and was characterized by varying styles attributed to different regional tastes and diverse preferences of a wide range of patrons. In general, Roman monuments were designed to serve the needs of their patrons rather than to express the artistic ability of their makers.

Roman architecture was also considered to be an exact copy of the Greek building style. But, the Romans have also contributed to the classical architectural styles. The two developments of Roman buildings styles are the tuscan and composite orders. Tuscan is a shortened, simplified variant on the doric order of the Greek style. Composite is a tall order with the floral decoration of the Corinthian and the scrolls of the ionic building style of the Greeks.

The Roman Colosseum is the best-known amphitheatre in the world, which is more correctly termed the Amphitheatrum Flavium, after the Flavian dynasty that built it. The Pantheon is a building in Rome, which was originally built as a temple to the seven deities of the seven planets of the Roman state religion. Since 7th century, it has been a Christian church. The Colosseum and the Pantheon are some of the buildings built during this period.

Roman contribution to the architecture of the modern world is the development of concrete for building purposes. And the other contribution is the Empire's style of architecture that can be still seen throughout Europe and North America in the arches and domes of many governmental and religious buildings.

Organic Architecture

What is Organic Architecture?

The term "Organic Architecture" was invented by the great architect, Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959). An architecture idea which promotes harmony between man-made structure and the nature around, through design approach so well integrated that the buildings and surroundings become part of a unified & interrelated composition

Objectives

Organic architecture not only addresses environmental concerns but also expresses individuality. As each building is related to the variables like man, site & time so every resulting structure is unique & unrepeatable.

Origin & Inspiration

Primitive vernacular architecture was innately organic, based on natural forms, structures and simple, local materials. The rectilinear, perpendicular form of architecture that came to dominate the 20th century was the reflection of an industrially driven age. However In the new millennium the designers are awakening to a new world inspired by the creative forces of nature and biological organisms.

It was in the USA that organic architecture began its great modern journey when Architect Louis Sullivan described his famous proverb that form follows function--a key concept for organic design. Frank Lloyd Wright would often choose sites close to woods, rock formations, or even waterfalls and his buildings would become part of nature. For Antoni Gaudí, Spanish architect the straight line belonged to men and the curved line to God.

Characteristics

- The design approach is inspired by nature & the built form grows out of the site, emerging like an organism from the seed of the nature.
- It is visually poetic, radical in design, multifaceted & surprising, distinctive but flexible & environmentally conscious.
- Organic architecture is said to be the mother of all architecture- sustainable or bio architecture, alternative architecture or any other.
Some examples of this movement are: Kaufman Residence 'Falling Water' (Pennsylvania), Sydney Opera House (Sydney), Casa Mila (Barcelona), Lotus Temple (New Delhi).

Approach

- A respect for natural materials (wood should look like wood)
- Blend into the surroundings (a house should look part of the hill, not perched on it)
- An honest expression of the function of the building (don't make a bank look like a Greek temple).

Exploring Organic Architecture

New age, architects have taken the concept of organic design to new heights by employing newer materials & technology in the application of natural shapes, rhythm & composition to their buildings. The re-emergence of organic design represents a new freedom of thought. This is affecting most fields of design- products, furniture, lighting, textile design, architecture, landscape and interior design. More liberated and imaginative forms, unacceptable to major corporate clients a few years ago, are now being encouraged & accepted.

Inference

Rectilinear buildings are not ideal "green" buildings if they work against the dynamics of fluids, heat, light, sound, and force. The buildings need to work with nature and allow optimum shapes and forms to be developed that are more efficient, economic, and appropriate to local climate and environmental conditions. With continuous expansion of cities, there is a growing lack of interaction between, man & nature. Organic structures with free flowing & curvilinear organic forms inspired by nature can fill in this void enhancing the city spaces aesthetically, spiritually & with the spirit of pursuit & marvel.

Concerns

Organic or sustainable architecture is evolving fast, but there is a risk of it becoming a superficial statement engrossed in high-tech science and technology & organic forms being superimposed from the outside rather than evolving like life from within. We need to learn to use natural forms & materials from observing living forms & creatures which are the very forms of life and growth that inspires organic architecture.

Architectural Styles

Architectural styles denote the classification of architecture in terms of form, techniques and materials in an integration of architecture designs from over lapping periods of time. There have evolved various and diverse types of architectural styles over the years; listed blow are some of the more popular ones.

Art Deco

The Art Deco style was an echo of the Machine Age and became popular in the 1920s. It was stylized by geometric decorative elements and a vertically oriented design. Towers and other projections above the roofline enhance the vertical emphasis of this style while flat roofs, metal window casements, and smooth stucco walls with rectangular cut-outs are symbolic of the Art Deco exterior. Facades are marked with zigzags and other stylized floral, geometric and sunrise motifs. A distinctly urban style, Art Deco in American architecture was used widely and popularly for commercial buildings during this period.

Colonial

More than simply the design elements, Colonial architecture refers to the time period in American architecture, between the early 1600s, when the first colonists began to build settlements and 1776, the year the colonies declared their independence from England. Economical, refined and basic, the colonial designs reflect the buildings practices of America's early settlers. Although Colonial architecture is often thought of as stately and symmetrical with an orderly arrangement of windows, it actually comes in several sizes, shapes and styles reflecting the diverse cultural traditions of the English, Dutch, Spanish and French.

Contemporary

Contemporary-style homes became hugely popular between 1950 and 1970. There were two types of contemporary American architecture - the flat-roof type and the gabled roof type. These were characterized by odd-sized and often tall windows, lack of ornamentation, and unique mixtures of wall materials like stone, brick, and wood. Both types of designs were one-story tall and designed to incorporate the surrounding architectural landscape into their overall look.

Georgian

Fanciful and royal, the Georgian architecture was styled in honor of the first three monarchs of England, all of whom were named George. Formal and majestic Georgian homes are known for their refined and symmetrical design with paired chimneys and a decorative crown over the front door. Another unique feature is the orderly row of five windows across the second story. With sport side-gabled roofs, Georgian houses are two to three stories high, and constructed in brick. Besides symmetry, this kind of architecture is symbolized by rich classical detail such as large Greek or Roman style columns, elaborate entryways with beautifully arched windows resting atop them and elegant ornamentation.

Gothic Revival

Gothic Revival became popular in the mid 1800s. This style was largely influenced by English romanticism and intricate wooden millwork. It was characterized by Gothic windows with distinctive pointed arches and featured exposed framing timbers and steep vaulted roofs with cross-gables. They also included extravagant features such as towers and verandas.

International

European architects initiated the modern style of architecture in the 20th century. Using materials such as concrete, glass and steel, it was devoid of ornamentation or decoration. The architectural landscape in the international style introduced the idea of exposed functional building elements such as elevator shafts, ground-to-ceiling plate glass windows, and smooth facades.

Prarie House

The first Prairie-style house was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in Chicago in 1893. This American architectural style peaked between the years 1900s and 1920s and focused on modest homes that blended the natural beauty of the Midwestern landscape. It consists of two main styles - boxy and symmetrical or low-slung and asymmetrical and the materials used are brick and clapboard. It has low pitched gable roofs with eaves extending well beyond the walls, creating an effect that allows it to blend with the scenery. Other details included pronounced overhangs, stone belts to accentuate the horizontal designs, rows of casement windows, one-story porches with massive square supports as well as stylized floral and circular geometric terra-cotta or masonry decorations around doors, windows, and cornices.

Shingle Victorian

This American architectural style was used widely in cottages along the trendy, wealthy North-eastern coastal towns of Long Island and Newport in the late 19th century. Wide porches, unadorned doors, windows, and cornices, steeply pitched roof lines are symbolic of this style. Continuous wood shingles cover the entire surface of the home, giving it a cohesive look. Some unique features in this style include dormers, recessed balconies, and side towers with bell or conical roofs structured under the shingles.

Tudor

This architecture was initiated in the 1920s and 1930s, but continues to remain a popular architectural style in suburbs across the United States even today. It is characterised by half-timbering on bay windows and upper floors with facades that are pronounced by one or more steeply pitched cross gables. Patterned brick or stone walls, rounded doorways, multi-paned casement windows, and large stone chimneys are also some of the features of this architectural style.

Victorian

Victorian architecture in America originated in the second half of the 19th century, when America was identifying new approaches to building and design. Victorian styles include Second Empire, Italianate, Stick, and Queen Anne among others. Advances in modern technology ensured the incorporation of ornamentation such as brackets, spindles, and patterned shingles into the Victorian designs.

The History of Metal Buildings

Metal buildings were the one of the most distinctive innovations of the Industrial revolution. Innovations in the production of iron and steel allowed for the increased use of metal in the construction of buildings and other architectural structures. From the construction of railways, trains and bridges, this development radically transformed the world and society in which we live.

Prior to the Industrial revolution most buildings and structures were made of wood. Going back to antiquity many large structures were made of various types of stone. Marble, shale, limestone and other heavy stones had been used to construct the greatest structures from the ancient world. From the Great Pyramids of Egypt to the Acropolis in Greece to the Coliseum in Rome, the use of thousands of human individuals went into their construction.

After the Renaissance, smaller buildings were built with bricks and mortar. By the age of the Industrial Revolution many of the large factories were built almost entirely of brick and stone. The Industrial Revolution transformed the landscapes of Europe and North America. The demand for massive scales of labour, forced many people to migrate from the countryside to towns and cities. As the masses moved into the cities, housing for large numbers of people became essential.

Wooden structures were not appropriate to house such large numbers of people. Fires were the primary danger. Also wooden structures were not sturdy enough to securely house many people in one building. As the industrial workers needed housing, the architecture of housing changed. Buildings of brick and glass were supported by iron frames.

As cities exploded in population growth, mass transportation was needed. Cities laid down iron rails on street surfaces and above the ground to construct tram lines and elevated rapid transit. Cities situated on rivers constructed newer and larger bridges to accommodate the increase of traffic. Wooden bridges were replaced by iron bridges.

In the United States, many factories were constructed entirely of cast iron. The SoHo district of New York was the first industrial zone of the city. Today, the factories have given way to lofts and art galleries. SoHo is a national landmark for being America's first district made entirely of cast iron.

The most famous structure in the world made entirely of iron is the Eiffel Tower in Paris. A monument to French industrial and engineering technology, it was noted for being the world's tallest structure. Standing at more than one thousand feet in the air, it's Paris' most famous and distinctive landmark. The Eiffel Tower ushered in the era of the skyscraper and the use of iron and steel in the construction of buildings.

Today, metal buildings are everywhere both large and small. They can be found in the largest cities in the world and in the smallest most rural communities. They are no longer confined for industrial urban and technological purposes. They are increasing used by farmers as barns. Fewer and fewer barns today are made of wood. Iron and steel are the essential elements of building construction in the world today.

Interior Decorating Tips - The Perfect Chess Set For Your Personality

Home decorating ideas are basic common sense use of a particular interior decorating theme. This can be in your home, apartment, shared home, or your office. It is fascinating to use a particular theme in your business also. Integrating themes into your home decor ideas are easy with simple steps. Use your chess set as a model to make the theme blend. Work at your own pace and keep your theme goal in mind as you make changes to your decor.

First step is to find out who you are. Understand your likes and dislikes, discover your personality. Use the following words to loosely discover your personality: Frolicsome, Athletic, Cultured. This article discusses the second three personalities of twelve. Use interior decorating tips to blend your favorite theme chess pieces and boards with these personality traits and color combinations.

Frolicsome - A playful nature that is given to joking and teasing in an uplifting manner. Lighthearted and a good sport are characteristic of this personality trait. Picture kittens playing and that is a perfect visual picture of this character trait. A goofy looking chess set, or one that is whimsical, spunky, mischievous, amusing, enjoyable, entertaining and or pleasing. A good prank is always enjoyed and a chess set that would fit this characteristic would make a great gift for this personality and home decor theme.

Colors: Playful colors for home decor and office decor internal decorating ideas are great for developing creativity in children. Imaginations can be developed in the right color settings. Try strawberry pink for parties, blue and yellow and lavender for the legend and fairy tale settings and jungle green for adventures and red and blue for enhancing hero and action themes. Greens make a great soothing theme for quiet times. Good theme chess pieces represent many action and hero themes with legends and stories.

Athletic - The first use of the term sporty dates back to 1889. It is anything involved with sports. This is an easy category for personalities as it is exact and definitive. Think of the styles of sport cars or the opposing aspect, think of the character of sportsmanship. Many or all of the sports are represented in chess set themes so pick one and have fun!

Colors: The decor color themes for this trait could be the color of your favorite sports team. Bright hues that motivate you outside can have great effects in your decor. Use natural tones as neutral colors to maintain a balanced effect. A dark color atmosphere creates a quiet area for relaxation and refreshment. Be creative and the effects will be awesome. Pick a favorite sports chess set with this theme to accent the atmosphere you have created.

Cultured - The personalities that are more seasoned, experience or schooled in the world or human affairs fit into this personality trait. The term worldly was used before the 12th century. Look for chess sets that fit into your characteristic of sophistication, cosmopolitan, urban life, suave, realistic, more down to earth, representing the world. This perspective would be your own, but it would reflect a home decor and blend in well with the decor. Note the descriptions of the chess set for clues that it would make a great fit with your interior decorating scheme.

Colors: Think colors representing different cultures. Use chess sets that mirror those cultures. Spice colors for the Far East, rich exotic hues for exotic lands, hot pepper colors with tropical colors, island sunset colors, ocean colors, the list is endless. This is a great way to get creative; any chess set will easily be a great addition to your room decor when you choose this theme.

Basic point: You will buy from your preferences which have roots in your character. There are so many personality traits that make it great fun to pick the perfect chess set, whether it is for your home, your office, your business or a gift. Cultures, past experiences and interests all add to the concept of developing your personality. Use these interior decorating tips to make your next chess set purchase.

Gothic Architecture and Art - Characteristics, Design and History

Gothic architecture can be traced back to the Ottoman Empire and the height of the Arab reign over the East. Christopher Wren (1632 - 1723), a multidisciplinary scholar and renowned architect, discussed these early origins of Gothic architecture and addressed the Muslim influence on its beautiful and intricate designs. Imprints of these Muslim designs later came to influence European and Western architectural ideas.

The origins of many Gothic structural elements can be found in mosques and palaces built during the Ottoman empire. Arabs of that time translated past Greek architectural influence into their own distinct style, a style that remains the origin of Gothic designs found in Europe, Africa and other countries. France was one of the first European countries to utilize Gothic design, and it is said to be the place of origin for European Gothic architecture.

The origin of Gothic architectural design in the Arabian word began with a desire to create buildings and mosques that were distinguishable from churches and other western-inspired structures. Much of the inspiration from that era translated into excessive boldness, distinct sections of inordinate detail, and into designs with extreme delicacy and fancy patterns. Moreover, much like the beauty and passion the Arabs injected into their poetry and literary works of the time, their architectural designs originated from a delicate taste of superfluous ornaments, extravagant detail and a desire to communicate to their audience a love for art and detail.

Meticulous detail and a dedicated attention to what would normally be missed at a quick glance was also, and still is, a trademark of the Gothic design that originated from the Arab world. Interestingly, today there is a heavy emphasis put on cathedrals and churches when referring to Gothic design. However; the distinctive detail and intricate nature of Gothic design is explicit and dominant in many of the mosques and palaces that were created during the Ottoman empire, and also during the reign of the Muslim empire in the east.

Styles used in European Gothic architecture originated from Spain during the height of the Arabian empire. The uptake of such designs was propelled by an intense European desire to acquire knowledge and expertise from the pioneers in the Arabian world. In addition to learning about architectural designs, Europeans also studied math, physics, philosophy and poetry from the East. Many of the churches and related buildings erected in Europe and Spain during this time were based on the Saracen model, a model that stemmed from the imagination and innovation of the vast Arabian empire.

Wren's adoption and admiration of these influences was especially apparent in his design for the Cathedral of St.Paul. Structures of domes and minarets, along with other inordinate detail are prominent in this building. Wren, who passed at the age of 91, was one of the first Western scholars to fully acknowledge and exemplify the Muslim and Arabian influence on Gothic design.

Art Deco Architecture

Art Deco architecture was considered to be decorative, beautiful and ornamental. Buildings, cinemas, railway stations, hotels etc. were all embellished with classic Deco patterns like sunbursts, Egyptian motifs, chevrons, zigzags, sweeping curves and similar geometric patterns, all in the name of beauty and decoration.

Post-war society quickly accepted this new artistic style, as it was a representation of all that was modern, luxurious and elegant. The 1920s were a time of hope and joy, and the public embraced this new style instantly. It symbolized prosperity and it inspired hope for a joyful future.

Unfortunately, architectural critics and purists hated it! They "sneered at the...'modernistic' application of Deco ornament, which they saw as 'commercial.'" (Benton, 2003) In essence they felt it was too much glitz and glamour and no substance.

"More recently, however, architects and critics have begun to re-evaluate the importance of the decorative in architecture, seeing it not only as a popular reflection of rapidly changing conditions but as a rich and profound expression of human feelings." (Benton, 2003)

Architecture Characteristics

- Streamlined, linear, elegant lines
- Modern design
- Angular, geometric patterns inlaid into facades:

• Zigzags
• Sunbursts
• Chevrons
• Sweeping curves
• Egyptian motifs
• Floral motifs
• Bird motifs

- Ziggurats (staggered or tiered pyramid shapes)
- Symmetrical, repeating patterns
- Use of bold colours - specifically green, yellow, turquoise and ruby
- Gold accents
- Inlaid stained glass - bold colouring
- Liberal use of sleek-looking materials - stainless steel, aluminum, marble, glass