The style of modern accents and
trim evolved from many artistic and architectural styles through
the ages. Although most moldings are either classic (clean) or
baroque (ornate) style, modern effects can be achieved by combining
various trim and molding styles. Explore various architectural
styles, their attributes, picture examples and visual glossary
of terms below.
|
Ancient |
Description |
Neolithic
(also
known as the New Stone Age) |
 [7000 - 3000 B.C.] cave dwelling, wattle and daub
simple dwelling construction combined with timber and huge erected
stones (megaliths) like Stonehenge. |
|
Egyptian |
 [3000 - 30 B.C.] royal tomb pyramids
and temples constructed of layered cut stone block or hollowed
out rock tombs. Columned or pillared halls, porticos (entryways)
and sacred chambers embellished with historical or royal inscriptions
and relief scuptures. |
|
Greek |
 [1200 - 30 B.C.] post-and-lintel (roof support)
design. Colonnade porticos (entry ways) and roof detail including
cornice surrounding the pediment on either end of the building
length. Interior walls spanning the length of the building segment
into rooms and provide roof support. Characterized by symetric
geometry and flanked with columns, captials, cornices and pediments
in a grid system. |
|
Roman |
 
 |
[200 B.C. - 500
A.D] concrete coupled with formal engineering invented a new
age of architecting both positive and negative space. Rounded
arches, arcades (series of supported arches), vaults (elongated
arch) and domes enabled buildings to have vast, un-broken spaces
eliminating the need for support based designs of the past. These
were enhancements from Greek and Etruscan design elements. |
|
|
Middle Ages |
Description |
|
Romanesque |
[900 - 1150 A.D.]
fortress like cathedral construction seeking to be fire and destruction
proof which influenced the use of thick heavy stone work including
the roof. |
|
Gothic |
[1120 - 1500 A.D.]
deviated from classic architecture of the Greeks and Romans by
using pointed arches (not semi-circular or restricted to two
arches per vault) and ribbing along the intersections of all
arches. Analogous to a web or skeletal framework from which the
building is encased. This style of architecture saught to increase
the amount of light by opening up the interior space with many
narrow pointed arches per vault and was mainly used for cathedrals.
High gothic architecture saw the creation of the flying buttresses
which were extensions of ribs from interior vaults to the outside,
connecting downward to the floor level to complete the skeletal
structure. |
|
Renaissance |
[1350 - 1500 A.D.]
Italian art and architecture characterized by embellished Roman
art and architecture. |
|
Baroque |
[1600 - 1750 A.D.]
the age of discovery brings a passion to design. Overly ornate
classical motifs and excentric mathematic architecture accented
with bright colors and gold trim. |
|
Romantism |
[1750 - 1850 A.D.] opposition
and departure from elaborate Baroque architecture, moving toward
simple design which leads to Gothic revival. |
|
Neoclassical |
[1850 - 1900 A.D.] Greek and
Roman revival. |
|
Modern |
Description |
|
Art Nouveau |
[1850 - 1940 A.D.] Flambouyant
ornate motifs with strong organic curves. Architecture depicts
cross lined designs, rouned corners and intersecting planes. |
|
Art & Crafts |
[1870 - 1960 A.D.] stylistic
design of furniture and interior wood work emphasizing minimalistic
design carried out through precise craftsmanship. English and
Dutch origination. |
International
Style |
[1910 A.D. - present ] open expanses
characterized by planes made possible through reinforced steel
and concrete of the industrial age. Juxtaposition of form with
elongated horizontals emphasized as seen in the work of Frank
Lloyd Wright's work. Ornamental use is discontinued in favor
of minimalism. This style remains pevelant in today's architecture. |
|
Bauhaus |
[1925 - 1950 A.D.] exploitation
of the international style with segmentation of space into modular
units showcased in glass, screens and moveable walls. The movement
emphasized the study of all aspects of art including performance,
music, design, painting, and architecture as a cohesive whole. |
|
Post Modern |
[1925 - 1980 A.D.] departure
from generalized style into individual expression through innovative
use of new building technology and materials to differentiate
the structure, space and experience from all previous styles.
The Guggenheim Museum by Frank LLoyd Wright exemplifies the flambouyant
deviation from all previous architectural movements. |
|
Classical Architectural Detail
& Trim Glossary |
|
|
Capital (as seen above) |
A decorative device
generally placed at the top of a column. |
|
Chair rail |
Surround room at
chair back height to prevent scuffing and damage to walls. |
|
Column (as seen above) |
May be load bearing
or purely for looks. Typically has a capital at the top and base
at the bottom. |
|
Corbel (as seen below) |
A decorative device
like a Capital generally used for Pilasters, mantels, or load
bearing shelf support. |
|
Crown molding (as seen below) |
Where the wall meets
the ceiling to hide uneven surfaces and provide visual interest. |
|
Frieze / Dentil molding (as seen
below) |
Typically below
crown moldings, refers to a decorative band. The term dentil
refers to the toothed pattern that alternating blocks give. |
|
Medallions |
Ornate accents applied
to the ceiling and can act as chandelier focal points. The designs
usually radiate out from center in ivy, floral, and celtic motifs. |
|
Pediment (as seen above) |
An ornamental accent
found above entry ways and windows.. |
|
Pilaster (as seen below) |
A rectangular column
typically topped with a capital or corbel and trim for the base. |
|
Picture / plate rails |
Surround room near
top of wall to facilitate hanging pictures. They range from a
shallow shelf to slotted trim to accept a picture hooks. |
|
Portico |
Entrance area including
facade. |
|
Rosette |
Small version of
a medallion used to accent a mantel, wood wook or curtain draw
post. |
|
Wall Niche |
Recessed container
used to showcase decorative elements like vases. |
