Expert: AliMcJ - 4/17/2004

Question
I teach continuing education at local junior college.  My class is a very practical application of interior design.  Each student has a house or room project to complete.  I have a student who has a new home with interior columns and arches reminiscent of Tuscan Order.  She is going in a dozen different directions with her interior design choices, and I would like to give her a concept to help drive her design direction.  What would you have to say to this student regarding the architectural "canvas" that is there awaiitng her colors, fabrics and furniture styles?  Since the columns are plain in style like Tuscan, I would like more information regarding interior styles during the new-classical period.  I know I don't want to tell her to immitate history, but I want to advise her to integrate certain neo-classical details.  I wonder if I can't use her design delima as a very good teaching tool for the whole class?  What do you think?  Alyce Flournoy-Jones  

Answer
I think it's a fabulous idea -- to ask students what the focus of a room is, what the most outstanding feature is, and then build around it asking themselves if it  reminds them of anything?  any sets in movies?  can they remember the other things that went with the columns....


As far as information goes -- the library is the place to go for that.  Architechtural reference books are very expensive and there are numerous ones.