[1]
During the nineteenth century, as the industrial revolution progressed not only were there new building materials but new ways of thinking were developing.
The bathtub is just starting to become common during the industrial revolution. Since sanitation is becoming more and more important bathrooms are starting to be incorporated within the house instead of the common outdoor privy and wash tub that was being used. This is not only due to sanitation issues but also to the fact that cities are becoming homes to many industrial factories that in turn populate the cities making them less private. The first bathtubs were wood lines with tin or copper and with new building materials, from the industrial revolution, bathtubs are beginning to be made of cast iron. The bath tubs during the mid 19th century were either plain or had an enameled finish and faucets.
I believe that the bathtub represents revolution in design not only for the new materials that the industrial revolution produced but also of wide spread individual plumbing which allows for privacy and convenience that has not been seen to this extent before.
Harwood pg. 22, fg1-35
[2]
During the nineteenth century the east strongly influence design in the west. The fact that trade route started to develop allowed people to bring artifacts from one country to another, in turn spreading characteristics of their own culture.
The French coined the terrn chinoiserie, which means that things contain Chinese qualities whether it’s the intricate pattern of an artifact or elaborate decoration. This chinoiserie wallpaper is a perfect example of an artifact because of its asymmetry and specific pattern. Although it was created in France by a series of craftsmen the design is very Rococo but is strongly influenced by the Chinese. The patterns on this wallpaper resemble the imagery on Chinese ceramics. I believe that the designer had most likely seen an artifact from China with similar qualities and was inspired by it.
The Peacock Room in London is a great example of a space that reflects eastern influence. This space leaves no surface untouched, the lattice work, used for shelving, works its way across the walls displaying Eastern artifacts. Most of all you can see the influence of china in the painted motifs. The style in which the peacocks are painted is borrowed from china in order to create a work of art within a room.
The Royal Pavilion located in England to me seems out of place. If I were to look at this building I would automatically think if was from India. This is what happened when people are able to experience other countries and expand on what they see. The minarets are a perfect example of an architectural idea taken from India as well as the layers of decoration. The ideas behind this building are a sense of exoticism and worldliness and in some ways create an artificial world.
Borrowing ideas from the east does not stop at artifacts or buildings but it also incorporated the place, for example the Kew Gardens in London. The Kew Gardens strongly imitate the gardens in Japan. This twisting landscape is asymmetrical contains many whimsical pathways. As a whole the Kew Gardens seems very tranquil and in touch with nature, which is similar to the Japanese. Even the structure built on this beautiful landscape imitates what you would most likely see in Japan. I believe that the design concept behind these gardens could be something along the lines of experiencing an artificial world as a way to get away from the norm in London.
[1] great response on innovation with the bathtub. [2] good selection for object, space, building, and place...nice observations linking east and west.
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