Home. There truly is no place like it. A place where we can rest and rejuvenate at the end of a busy day. Where we can share laughter, tears, happiness, fear and togetherness - and feel validated and welcome. A place that allows us to be the best and most true version of ourselves. Do you ever wonder what home has looked like in the past? I do. It's one of my favourite parts of reading classic novels and studying history. The simple, everyday life of the people who came before us still has to much to teach and inspire us.
Today, I'd like to take you on a little guided tour inside a Renaissance home. In case you are wondering, the Renaissance usually refers to a time of reawakening and enlightenment after the historical period known as the Dark Ages (or the Middle Ages). It began predominantly in Italy and then spread throughout Europe and focused on a renewed appreciation of Classical Greek and Roman thought, art, architecture, and values. Generally it is defined as beginning in the early 14th century and lasting until the 17th century. So much happened in this three hundred year period, and to narrow it down to one house, one set of values, one example to look at, isn't going to be easy. With this in mind, I'm looking predominantly at 15th and 16th century Italy. The following is a list of attributes common to homes in this time and place. I've tried my best to look for aspects that we can adopt and take inspiration from in our own homes today.
Please Note: I have taken most of the information and photos from Elizabeth Currie's interesting and informative book, Inside the Renaissance House.
Togetherness
Homes were often hives of activity, with most housing multi-generations and even businesses. Today the thought of living with our extended family in a place where we also work is not a common one. But if you look inside many South American, African or Asian homes, you will find this is quite a common occurrence. It is also becoming more common in English speaking countries, as the cost of living continues to rise. Lots of family time together also meant lots of games. Gathering the family for a card game was a very popular past-time in Renaissance Italy. By making our homes accessible to extended family members or even just making it a comfortable shared space for the people who live there, is a wonderfully easy way to bring some Renaissance inspiration into our homes. Consider leaving a pack of cards, some puzzles or board games or even a book for read alouds in a basket in the living room. You might be surprised how people will begin to congregate there for some together time. For more classic game inspiration, you can see this article here.
The home as a social symbol of wealth
Now this is one that I definitely don't agree with, but it was a big one for the Italians and therefore deserves a mention. "During the Renaissance, it was commonly acknowledged that possessions transmitted strong messages about their owners" (Currie). Perhaps this is where our consumer-driven society originated? Regardless, it is definitely something I do not wish to take away from the Renaissance to make my own home a cosy and welcoming place. My possessions are important; I look after them, keep them clean and tidy but they should not give too many strong messages about me as a person. I hope that the people who come to visit me do not judge me by my possessions. This may be a reminder for some who do consider buying something because of how others will react to it. Do you think we place too much emphasis on our belongings and what others will think when they come to visit? How do you feel about this topic? Should we judge others by their possessions?
Wouldn't this be wonderful? To furnish our homes with furniture, soft fittings and other decor with things produced locally. "All the larger urban centres were famous for some form of craft production, and competition forced each one to develop its own individual style. Italian artisans were highly skilled in adapting to and fuelling demand: if an object became fashionable, it was soon available in seemingly limitless variations" (Currie). Well, that sound like just about every department store, Kmart or Target that I have ever been in! With the important exception that these modern replicas are never, ever, made locally. Many furnishings from the Italian Renaissance were so well made that they are still around today. We can appreciate the beds, chests, rugs, wall tapestries and paintings from five hundred years ago. Can we say the same about the cheap, internationally made objects found in many western houses today? Although buying locally may not be in our budget immediately, a slow and thoughtful way of decorating is definitely achievable. Look around for local craftsmen; visit craft fairs; or even better, learn some new skills yourself such as carpentry, knitting or embroidery to add your own unique, handmade touch. Etsy offers the ability to choose a filter of where a product is made if you are looking for something made in your area. You can practically guarantee that if you do make this investment then these beautifully made pieces will become family heirlooms and passed down to future generations. Classic.
Reuse, Reduce, Recycle
"In addition to their aesthetic value, domestic good were also important financial investments, so that expensive curtains or bed covers were turned into clothing rather than thrown away, and metalwork was sometimes melted down and recast according to changing tastes." (Currie)
Who said that recycling was a new concept? If you are able to follow the last tip and buy high-quality, well made, local products you are in a much better position to reuse them. Even things we can buy today can be re-purposed in so many ways. Sheets used as tablecloths. Old curtains turned into cushion covers or cloth napkins. Flannel sheets make wonderful hankies. And if you can't reuse a piece, consider selling it to someone who can put their own spin on it rather than tossing it away.
Avoid over-cluttering
"Portable furniture and a relatively sparse layout meant that the sala [reception room] could be used for a variety of domestic pursuits." (Currie)
This is a great point to keep in mind, especially if you love entertaining guests, often have family visit, your children enjoy inviting friends over or you just want to move things around every now and then for a change. If we keep plenty of space in our main living rooms, then we have a lot more freedom in how we actually use that space. Feel like dancing? Then push the lounges back against the wall! Everybody wants to play a board game or puzzle? Then pull some chairs or cushions around a coffee table. Movie night? Blankets and soft furnishings accommodate so many more people than just lounges or chairs alone.
Invite music into your home
Just as games and shared spaces bring people together, so too does music. The Italian sala often held a musical instrument of some sort, and if not, then people still gathered together in the space to sing or dance. Music was such an important part of everyday life that it was more common to find instruments than books (this isn't necessarily something that I advocate!!) Simple instruments like recorders or slide whistles, harmonicas, castanets and xylophones can be used to decorate or kept easily accessible in a chest or trunk for the budding musicians in your home. If the thought of the recorder being played stresses you out (I can relate!), consider an old-fashioned CD player, record player or speakers for your phone so that music can be played throughout the day. Even a battery operated radio works well for this! Whatever your budget and preference in music, by adding more music to your day you are inviting a little bit of Renaissance life into your everyday.
Have a little space for your 'studiolo'
'The idea of a room set aside specifically for reading, writing and other intellectual pursuits was not by any means a new one. However, it was during the Renaissance that the study, or studiolo, began to occupy an important place in the home." (Currie)
How could I not mention the studiolo? The Italians weren't the first to have a designated space for their studies, but during the Renaissance we can see it moving from a rich man's luxury to being common in the houses of the working class. As people began to read more and there were more books accessible to everyone thanks to the printing press, reading and writing really took off as both business and pleasurable enterprises. Unlike the shared space of the sala the studiolo was considered a private space and was often locked. This was due to the private nature of family papers, documents, contracts and so on. "In this sense, the study acted as a storehouse of the family's collective memory" (Currie). Although it was considered a 'male room', these days everyone could and should have a space - from a little corner to a whole room - of their own to keep their special things. I have talked about this more in my article on having a sanctuary if you are interested.
We dived into the Renaissance house hoping to find some inspiration for our own homes, and I think we've definitely done that here! Did you find something interesting about how the Renaissance Italians used to live? Is there something here that you can take away for your own home?
If you are interested in the topic of home, please explore further articles here.Thanks for stopping by, friends.
Comments
Post a Comment