Interior Design and Decoration

This book addresses interior design and decoration from the ancients to the moderns, describes the dominant influences of fashion design, and focuses on the close relationship between interior design and the architecture of our times. Chapter topics cover up-to-date stylistic developments such as neoornamentalism, postmodernism, and deconstruction; up-to-date technical developments including new composite materials, acoustic controls, and lighting types; and industry updates regarding new professional organizations, certification laws, and developments in design school accreditation. Also covered are today's “hot topics” in the field: new fire-safety and abrasion-resistance requirements for furniture and fabrics, accommodations for universal access, and issues of environmentalism. For interior designers.

Wide in scope and rich in detail, this book offers a unified treatment of interior design and the fine arts histories. Integrating information about materials and techniques with history, the text has been updated to include the developments in technology, interior design, and safety standards of the late twentieth century. Maps and timelines, special topic boxes, and chapter summaries help students to navigate through the wealth of material, and extensive color illustrations as welt as Gilbert Werle's classic black and white drawings add visual clarity, and excitement.

Each chapter begins with some consideration of various design determinants, a chronology of key periods, dynasties, rulers, and events. There is a review of artistic accomplishments, and the common characteristics of the period are summarized. Discussions of character, quality, and cross-cultural comparison provide a basis for a challenging engagement with all of the elements of interior design.