MODERN TRANSLATION
Divided into 3 exercises, we were given the challenge to design rooms influenced by a specific time in interior design history but with a modern twist. In "Modern Translation", we dive into modern iterations of the French Boudoir, the Shaker Style, and the iconic Elsie de Wolfe.
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Theoretical project completed at Savannah College of Art and Design in Spring 2021.
Modern French Boudoir
"French Boudoir"
What is a
The word "boudoir" derives from the French word "bouder" which means to sulk. Boudoirs were meant to be a private room for women to escape to, often used for dressing or socializing. They were looked at by men as a room for the women to go pout or deal with their emotions. Boudoirs got their sultry appeal due to the activities that often happened thanks to the private location. Boudoirs stand as a symbol for femininity and luxury. Rooms were typically heavily decorated with luxurious materials such as silk, satin, and velvet. There was no shortage of texture or layering in the decor. It was common to see exotic motifs to represent rich culture. It was a room that served relaxation and pampering for it female guests.
The Modern French Boudoir
Plan
The Modern French Boudoir combines rest and relaxation with entertainment and productivity. Upon entering, guests are welcomed in the main bedroom area. To the right is the sleeping area while to the left is a small seating area in front of a cozy fireplace. Through the opening adjacent to the door is the boudoir area. The boudoir features a custom wardrobe, wet bar, and vanity with a small seating area in between. The wardrobe and vanity in one room allow the user to get ready without having to leave the room. The mini wet bar allows for easy access to snacks and beverages for personal use or for entertaining guests.
A modern French boudoir would be a balance of traditional French ornamentation with modern elements in design today. The primary royal blue color combined with gold accents represents the luxurious feel of the traditional design. Bringing in geometric shape, leopard print, and pop culture art provides the perfect balance of new and old.
The boudoir shows more of modern iteration of the French style. Much of the furniture is that of French inspiration, but by bringing in a vanity, wardrobe, and mini bar, the user is allowed the luxury of barely having to leave the room thanks to the entertainment and productivity amenities. The backsplash of the bar brings in a little bit of pattern into the otherwise neutral walls, keeping with the blue and gold color scheme.
All information and background was gathered using material provided by my SCAD Professor as well as https://www.celebrateyoursexy.com/history-of-boudoir/#:~:text=The%20word%20%E2%80%9Cboudoir%E2%80%9D%20is%20French,woman's%20private%20room%20or%20bedroom.&text=In%20the%20early%201920's%2C%20boudoir%20photography%20was%20considered%20disgraceful%20in%20nature. and http://insideinside.org/curated-collection/boudoirs/.
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Modern Shaker Style
"Shaker Style"
What is a
The Shaker Style was named after the people of the United Society of Believers in Christ's who are credited with creating the style. The people were governed by the Millennial Laws, which came was shown in their interior design especially in the laws of order, space, simplicity, utility, cleanliness, and honesty. To ensure they lived a simple, organized, and clean lifestyle,
built-in storage was an essential part of the Shaker interiors and it wasn't uncommon to find peg rails on the walls to hang things up and out of the way. With simplicity in mind, decoration as kept extremely minimal, so much so that the extent of the decoration is found in the variation and pattern of the cabinet and drawer sizes. The patterns were kept consistant and logical, added as much visual interest was deemed necessary. Living by honesty, everything was made of natural wood, and any staining to the wood was used to highlight the natural grain of the wood rather than hide it. These interior trends so obviously line up with the belief system of the Shakers, which they felt would bring them closer to perfection and live a heaven on earth.
The Modern Shaker Style
Plan
​Following the idea of organization and simplicity, the Modern Shaker 14'x18' plan is minimal in furniture and decoration and is organized with balance and space in mind. This style with the small amount of natural light supports the need few furniture pieces. It is central to the room and allows for open circulation throughout. Furniture was selected based on necessities for the room and fosters open communication to the occupants.
The furniture itself reflects the wood material most commonly used in Shaker design. As can be seen in the drawers of the media console, the drawers follow a sizing pattern, getting shorter as you move up from the bottom. The upholstery is kept a neutral gray and there is light use of gold for accent in the lighting, knobs, and decor.
Most of the Shaker Style can be seen in more subtle ways throughout the living room. The thin wood paneling running horizontal across the walls in similar to that of the Shaker common room pictured in the top left. These wood slats are painted a deep green, still showing the grooves of the natural wood. For decoration, I utilized the peg rails seen in many Shaker rooms and draped a sheer curtain across to frame the large artwork.
All information and plans on Youth Recreation & Culture Center was gathered from https://www.archdaily.com/883360/chilbo-culture-centre-for-youth-studio-in-loco-plus-utopian-architects.
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The House in Good Taste
Clean Hygienic Simple Comfortable Airy Luxurious Refreshing
de Wolfe's Recommendations
The Dressing Room:
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No decoration scheme, or overelaboration of color
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Simple, clean, hygenic
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No wood floors
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LOTS of mirrors
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LOTS of lighting
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Woodwork and ceiling painted white
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Solid rug
The Bathroom:
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Tub in the recess of the wall
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Large bath compatible with room size
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Airy and clean looking
The Modern Elsie de Wolfe
Plan
This modern dressing room is directly inspired from the advice from Elsie de Wolfe. Upon entering, the user is welcomed by a welcoming and luxurious chaise lounge. On the other side of the partition wall is the vanity with built in writing tablet. There is plenty of closet storage as well as additional storage in the island. Moving into the bathroom, the hallway has open floor to ceiling shelves and an additional seating area for the user to wait while the bath fills. The bathroom is humble in size, leaving most of the open plan to the dressing room. The minimal furniture and abundance of floor space provide a light and airy feel, complemented by the white and light neutral wall and floor finishes make the space feel clean.
"The chaise-longue is suitable for bedroom or dressing-room, but it is an especially luxurious lounging-place when you are having your hair done" was the suggestion behind the selection of the chaise lounge.
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Vanity tables used by de Wolfe were made up of "many drawers, one of which is fitted with an ink-well, a tray for pens and pencils, and a sliding shelf on which I write.
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Clerestory windows span across 3 wall to give ample natural lighting throughout the room. This compliments de Wolfe's recommendations for a mirrored dressing table and placing the dressing table against windows whenever possible.
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Mirrors are placed on the closet doors and multiple walls because of de Wolfe's recommendation "Put in lots of mirrors, and then more mirrors, and then more!"
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Decorative and task lighting are placed to ensure proper lighting at night, taking into consideration the suggestion "have plenty of electric lights all around the dressing-mirrors for night use."
"Why shouldn't a washstand be just as attractively furnished as a dressing-table?" The selected washstand vanity is a matching set to the dressing table.
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"The floors should not be of wood, but may be of marble or mosaic cement or clean white tiles, with a possible touch of color." A glazed porcelain tile was selected to give the room an open and clean feeling.
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"There should be a screen large enough to conceal the tub, and a folding chair that may be placed in the small closet when it is not in use." With the ample amount of room in the hallway connecting the bathroom to the dressing room, there is plenty of space for a more comfortable accent chair for guests or for an additional lounging space.
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"In the more modern apartments the tub is placed in a recess in the wall of the bathroom, leaving more space for dressing purposes." The bathtub is placed within the floral print accent walls, set against a metallic tile accenting the chrome metals throughout the spaces and for a more personal touch to the room.
