R E V I V E

I N D S 2 1 1 D E S I G N B L O G

C H R I S T I N E M I N S U M M E R 2 0 2 1 | P R O F . G O N A N O | H I S T O R Y O F I N T E R I O R D E S I G N

” I A M N O T A D E C O R A T O R .

T H E O N L Y P L A C E I D E C O R A T E I S M Y

O W N H O U S E . ”

– F l o r e n c e K n o l l

A N C I E N T E G Y P T

A N C I E N T G R E E C E

A N C I E N T R O M E

A N C I E N T C H I N A

This leather stool from P o t t e r y B a r n reuses a signature style of Ancient Egypt . The X – Shaped

base is present in the modern

rendition . Additionally , leather , a

prominent material used in

ancient Egyptian culture is

featured . The smoky tones of

both the leather and the wood is

yet another way the ancient stool

has been revamped to suit a

modern interior .

It is fascinating to see that an

ancient style and the most

elemental type of seating is stil l

being used today . The X – shaped

base allows for furniture to be

collapsed and therefore portable ,

but also adds a l ight airiness to

the aesthetic of furniture .

A N C I E N T

E G Y P T

” I f y o u s e a r c h f o r t h e l a w s o f

h a r m o n y , y o u w i l l f i n d

k n o w l e d g e . ”

– E g y p t i a n P r o v e r b

S T O O L W I T H X – S H A P E D B A S E

M O D E R N

H I S T O R I C A L4

The Klismos Chair had sabre legs ,

which meant that the legs curved out

opposite each other . This iconic chair

featured a curved back that hugged

the human body and the seats were

made of cloth or leather .

The modern T r i s t a n A c r y l i c Klismos Chair certainly echoes the original

chair ‘ s shape and curvature of the

backing and legs . The difference l ies

in the futuristic clear material of

acrylic and the cushioned velvet seat .

Judging by the curves of the back

seat , one can deduce that the ancient

Greeks were conscious of ergonomics

and prioritized comfort , especially

when seating those in higher social

classes . The matching degree of

curving in the backing and legs is also

an admirable harmonic design choice .

A N C I E N T

G R E E C E

” W e a r e w h a t w e r e p e a t e d l y

d o . E x c e l l e n c e , t h e n , i s n o t a n

a c t , b u t a h a b i t . ”

– A r i s t o t l e

K L I S M O S C H A I R

M O D E R N

H I S T O R I C A L

5

This T r i s t a n A u e r armchair is a dramatic piece that flaunts the

component of the sella curulis

that is most distinctive – the

double – X form . Instead of the X –

form only being used for the

base , the entire X creates the

form of the armchair . The top is

an enticing and stylish seat ,

while the bottom part of the X

serves as a sturdy base .

The sella curulis was an

important seat meant for those

in higher power such as

emperors and magistrates . The

sleek and robust modern

rendition of the sella curulis

surely emboldens users with

confidence f it for an emperor .

A N C I E N T

R O M E

” S a y n o t a l w a y s w h a t y o u

k n o w , b u t a l w a y s k n o w w h a t

y o u s a y . ”

– C l a u d i u s

S E L L A C U R U L I S

M O D E R N

H I S T O R I C A L

6

Featured on H o m e D e s i g n i n g , this modern Chinese house exhibits a

lattice style used in ancient

Chinese interiors . Lattices were

used in the past to achieve the

integration of both the interior

and exterior , a principal

component of Chinese interior