
{"id":1302,"date":"2016-05-25T15:45:55","date_gmt":"2016-05-25T15:45:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mccreerys.blogs.eprevue.net\/?p=1302"},"modified":"2019-05-08T06:59:50","modified_gmt":"2019-05-08T06:59:50","slug":"introducing-the-american-gothic-style","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mccreerys.com\/blog\/2016\/05\/25\/introducing-the-american-gothic-style\/","title":{"rendered":"Introducing the American Gothic Style"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"attachment_1303\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\" ><a href=\"http:\/\/mccreerys.blogs.eprevue.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2016\/05\/BLOG-3.-1586-90010-BLK1-Twin-Peak-Six-Drawer-Chest-on-Chest.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1303\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-1303\" src=\"http:\/\/mccreerys.blogs.eprevue.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2016\/05\/BLOG-3.-1586-90010-BLK1-Twin-Peak-Six-Drawer-Chest-on-Chest-751x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Cynthia Rowley: 1586-90010-BLK1 Twin Peak Six-Drawer Chest on Chest is sleek and uncomplicated. \" width=\"751\" height=\"1024\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Cynthia Rowley: 1586-90010-BLK1 Twin Peak Six-Drawer Chest on Chest is sleek and uncomplicated.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>When looking at the American gothic style nowadays, you might not picture how it actually came about. Its beginnings were quite humble, with artist Grant Wood taking a stroll around Eldon in Iowa. He was then just looking for inspiration when he came upon the gothic style farmhouse called the <em>Dibble House.<\/em> Being an Iowan, himself, Wood sketched this dwelling place at the back of a simple envelope. Wood\u2019s biographer later added that the artist was struck at the thought of adding a <em>pretentious <\/em>(we\u2019re using the biographer\u2019s word here, not ours) gothic window on an otherwise <em>flimsy wooden house <\/em>(again, the biographer\u2019s words). This painting resulted into what\u2019s known today as American Gothic.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Grant Wood\u2019s American Gothic <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Using Nan Wood \u2013 Graham (Wood\u2019s sister) and Byron McKeeby (their family dentist) as models, Wood started painting the house along with this willing pair. The Art Institute of Chicago recognized him by giving him a prize for the said painting. The masterpiece was even purchased by the Institute and hung it for everyone\u2019s appreciation.<\/p>\n<p>While Wood wanted to depict a positive image for the Americans, his painting was seen by a different pair of eyes among his critics. To them, it was a satire on the life spent in a farm. It took many years before the painting became a symbol for strength and steadfastness.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_1304\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\" ><a href=\"http:\/\/mccreerys.blogs.eprevue.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2016\/05\/BLOG-9.-Hancock-and-Moore-Living-Room-Norvell-Ancient-Thunder-Horse-Painting-Chair-4797-AT.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1304\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-1304\" src=\"http:\/\/mccreerys.blogs.eprevue.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2016\/05\/BLOG-9.-Hancock-and-Moore-Living-Room-Norvell-Ancient-Thunder-Horse-Painting-Chair-4797-AT-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"The Hancock and Moore Living Room Norvell Ancient Thunder Horse Painting Chair 4797-AT has an unpretentious farm appeal to it which is perfect for your American Gothic home. \" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Hancock and Moore Living Room Norvell Ancient Thunder Horse Painting Chair 4797-AT has an unpretentious farm appeal to it which is perfect for your American Gothic home.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>What Is American Gothic?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This style is evident in many early American imagery and symbols. Just think of pitchforks, red-colored barns, aprons, gothic windows, blue, black and denim and you\u2019re thinking American Gothic.<\/p>\n<p>This style often works because it centers on farm life. Do you ever wonder why most children\u2019s books feature farms and farm animals? It\u2019s because farm life is uncomplicated and it shows a life that is easy or laidback. If you take a closer look at the industrial spirit brought about by farm structures of the past, then you would also realize that American gothic has an almost modern feel to it.<\/p>\n<p>You will surely love American Gothic style if you prefer the unfussy sort of design. If the elaborate workings on furniture and architecture do not please you or if you consider apron to be an everyday wear, then you are embracing the Puritan way of life and would definitely feel comfortable in an American Gothic home.<\/p>\n<p>Do not mistake American Gothic for Victorian gothic. The latter offers dark walls almost depicting haunted houses. Victorian Gothic also shows ornate architecture and the most gorgeous furniture. So, here are characteristics often associated with Victorian gothic that you must not link with American Gothic \u2013<\/p>\n<p><strong>Drama<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Victorian Gothic will always be dramatic and elegant. Say no to making dramatic statements whether in your choice of furniture, lighting fixture, or decorative details.<\/p>\n<p>Wallpapers are also items that are associated with the Victorian gothic style. So keep your walls simple and nod not to patterned wallpapers, more so those that have a velvety texture. Use simple wall paint rather than the bold colors used in many Victorian homes.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Thick, Rich Textures <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Draperies are both decorative and functional. The heavier, layered types of draperies are glamorous and elegant enough for a Victorian Gothic home. Should you choose the less opulent American Gothic style, be sure to go for simple draperies minus the tassels and fringes.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Opulence<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Ornate furniture pieces are regal pieces of artwork. They are for homes that are rich and often dramatic. So, since you are embracing the American Gothic look, just look for straightforward designs. If you\u2019re uncertain as to whether you can use black or not, well, you can. Just make sure that the black furniture you invest in has simple lines and a pretty uncomplicated design.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp; &nbsp; When looking at the American gothic style nowadays, you might not picture how it actually came about. Its beginnings were quite humble, with artist Grant Wood taking a stroll around Eldon in Iowa. He was then just looking for inspiration when he came upon the gothic style farmhouse called the Dibble House. Being <a class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mccreerys.com\/blog\/2016\/05\/25\/introducing-the-american-gothic-style\/\">[ read more&#8230; ]<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":26,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[17,13,4],"tags":[747,748,749,2032,2030,2031,19,18,241,243,242,3673,2437,440,435,437,91,92,3596,244],"yst_prominent_words":[],"class_list":["post-1302","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-interior-design-101","category-interior-design-elements","category-interior-design-themes","tag-american-gothic","tag-american-gothic-design","tag-american-gothic-style","tag-characteristics-of-luxury-homes","tag-designing-luxury-homes","tag-elements-of-luxury-homes","tag-glamorous-interior-design","tag-glamour","tag-gothic","tag-gothic-interior-design","tag-gothic-interiors","tag-history","tag-luxurious-home","tag-luxurious-interiors","tag-luxurious-living","tag-luxury-home","tag-mccreerys","tag-mccreerys-home-furnishings","tag-tips","tag-victorian-gothic"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mccreerys.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1302","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mccreerys.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mccreerys.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mccreerys.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/26"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mccreerys.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1302"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.mccreerys.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1302\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6093,"href":"https:\/\/www.mccreerys.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1302\/revisions\/6093"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mccreerys.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1302"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mccreerys.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1302"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mccreerys.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1302"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mccreerys.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=1302"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}