English Renaissance

 During the English Renaissance, an emergence of the Tudor Style became prevalent, and marked this era.  Often associated with timber construction, this style was used for churches, government buildings, and other types of structures. These buildings embodied signs of luxury but, still held a softness that re-laid the coziness of these spaces. 

As seen in the image to the left, the Tudor style often had frame work that graced the facade to add a layer of dimension and helped to give off the feeling of warmth and comfort. The steeped roofs were a key component to this style, as this played into the luxurious side of these buildings. The furniture located within these buildings, complimented the exterior style quite well. The chairs were often boxy and had dark woods that often had carvings. While this style of chair was not new, there was one furniture piece that had a very unique look. 

The Gate Leg Table, had a very interesting look, as it featured a far more intricate leg base. There is a set of 4 main legs that form a  rectangle in the middle of the table that offer the main support. Yet, on both sides, there is a set of two support legs that is only on the front of the table. The layout proves to be both functional and decorative, additionally, the legs feature a spindle design to further enhance the leg emphasis. 

Another popular furniture style during this era was, Elizabethan furniture. Oak was the primary wood used with this style but, was later replaced by walnut as the popularity grew. During this time cupboards became popular and was the first enclosed shelves with front doors, which has forever changed furniture history. Additionally, 4 poster bed frames were all the rage, and were often oversized and featured a draping system to add more elegance to the piece. However, unlike previous styles of this bed, the footboard was removed, such a small change greatly changed the design. 

As can be seen, the beds were grand and over the top and became the central focus of not only the bedroom but, the entire home. Beds were often used for lounging and entertaining guests, in addition to their nightly usage.

Modern Applications

The Tudor style home is one that has never gone out of style, as it is still widely seen in neighborhoods. This style has stayed true to its original form, with steeped roofs and plenty of dimension on the face of the home. The framing is still a key factor in this style, and is often seen in a medium to dark brown against a white or cream stucco surface. 

Cupboards began their emergence during the English Renaissance and have since become a major component in modern interior design. Kitchen cabinets are a staple in every home, are offer storage and privacy from the items inside. The growth and versatility of enclosed storage has stretched across  every avenue of design. 

Four poster beds are still a very trendy item, and help to elevate a space. During the English Renaissance, footboards were not seen on this style bed and the bed was placed on the ground. Now footboards are seen as well as an elevated profile. This helps to lessen the visual weight of the piece and creates something less bulky. Drapery is still seen on some four poster bed however, the modern style is often as pictured to the right.