Home is Where the Heart Is ❤️🤍💙

Today on the blog, we head back home as we take a look at the early days of America. 

The American Periods are broken into three "eras": Colonial, Federal & Victorian.  

The early Colonial Period began with the first settlers in America in 1607, up until the American Revolution in 1776.  Jamestown, Virgina was the first permanent settlement in America.  During this time, the 13 British colonies were formed.  These early settlers came over from Britain by boat, and upon arrival, they had very little and relied on the natural resources of their new land.  They built simple cabins made from hand hewn timber.  

During the later colonial period, homes continued to be built simply with little decoration.  They created "salt box" homes which were symmetrical, and as the name suggests, literally shaped like a box.  They had central fireplaces and were built with a simple frame.   

Found in many homes during this period is this classic Windsor chair, 

which was influenced by British style. 

 

A modern Windsor chair

Back in the colonial days, you were lucky (wealthy) if you had an outhouse to do your business.  

If you weren't you were stuck with chamber pots.  

Next, is the American Federal time period, 1790-1820.  Let Freedom Ring! America won her independence from British rule in 1776 and thus began a time of.... returning to the classic orders of architecture?? 🤔 Well, if it's not broke, don't fix it, I suppose.  Jokes aside, during this time period some truly magnificent homes and buildings were constructed.  Many of them took inspiration from Greek and Roman architecture, complete with columns and pediments.  These elements were especially prominent in our government buildings.  

During this time, soft pastel colors were very much in style, juxtaposed with heavyweight upholstery and drapery.  Furniture was more thoughtfully arranged and featured intricate carvings and inlays.  Moldings were white, large and grand and sometimes featured the dentil pattern borrowed 

from our friends in Greece and Rome. 

Thomas Sheraton was a big furniture designer back in Europe, and his styles made their way over the pond to America during this time.   I LOVE this style of furniture, the simplicity, combined with just a little somethin' somethin' really makes his style stand out.  Lighter and refined, straight legs with unadorned feet, these heart and horizontal backed chairs are peak Sheraton. 😍

The bathroom as we know it, was, most unfortunately, still not a thing.  Public bath houses and outhouses were still the norm during this period.  In between, people would wash up in their bedrooms and use a chamber pot at night.  

 

(chamber pot kept under the bed for easy nighttime use!)

And last, but certainly, not least, the Victorian Period (1840-1880).  Queen Victoria was reigning over in England and her style found its way over to America.  This period is most recognized by lots of exterior decoration, asymmetry, and a touch of goth.   

 stunning!

(Note the gothic finials!)

On the interior, we see a return to dark, moody colors, burgundy, dark green and navy.  Dark mahogany moldings, damask draperies and velvet upholsteries. More is MORE.

 

Very Victorian! Tufting was en vogue, dark wood, and a light colored damask upholstery. 

Looks like a great place to relax and have a chat.

More tufting, dark wood, and a lovely brown velvet upholstery 

And finally, (and most fortunately) indoor plumbing was advancing and so was born, the first modern bathroom.  This must have felt insanely luxurious to have a private bath and toilet in your home!

Whew!  Americans sure do move through styles fast.  And as a side note, during my research for this blog, I learned more than I wanted to about the history of the bathroom, toilet and the hygiene practices during the olden days.  (Should have gone with the kitchen) But it was very interesting!

Until next time, take a seat!