Kaleidoscope apartments windows#

In 1786 Paris, the bed, which stood opposite the windows, was surrounded with panels of mirror-glass in such a way as to reflect exterior views and to simulate an occupantвЂ™s feeling of lying in the open air.

These panels formed a background for a display of art objects, each arranged on a separate bracket to form exciting visual patterns in reflection.

In Paris between 16 decorative art (vases, tables, candle-stands, door-furniture, silver ware, arabesque wall-decoration) were placed in front of mirror-glass and the chimney-breast. In the 18th century architects set small panels of mirror-glass into the chimney-breast above a fireplace opening and below an inset painting or some other form of ornament. Throughout the 17th century glass and mirror makers continued to increase the size of individual plates. By 1700 the princess of Germany also had a glazed bedchamber, as well. In 1678 NicodemusTessin (1654-1728), a Swedish architect, installed a mirror ceiling in the closet of the Princess of Orange at the little Dutch pleasure-palace at Honeselersdijk. Lighted its entire length (75-meters), the galleryвЂ™s surfaces reflect an opulent dГ©cor of glistening marble, shiny gilt bronze ornaments, glass chandeliers, and a painted ceiling.

Kaleidoscope apartments windows#

The gallery is comprised of seventeen mirror-clad arches that reflect seventeen arcaded windows overlooking the gardens. Set in an elaborate complex of landscaped formal gardens, the Palace includes the famous Galerie des Glaces (Hall of Mirrors), the plates of which were blown in Venice. Perhaps the most well known of the French interiors is the Louis XIV Palace of Versailles (1678). Decorators had achieved some striking effects in relatively small rooms by abutting plates of mirror-glass to form larger panels. This reasoning brings us to the archetypical practice of the Kaleidoscope effect in luxury apartments.Д«y 1670 the idea of facing walls with large areas of mirror-glass became increasingly popular to French architects and their clients. If one wall resulted in a good effect, then why not add a second wall in the same space? The window walls of the Modernist and International Styles were so highly reflective that soon they were regarded as another type of mirror. During parts of this history the mirror has loomed large as a framed object, but the Kaleidoscope effect emerged from the paneling of whole walls with mirrors.

Kaleidoscope is the result of years of experimentation in mirror usage, beginning in the 17th century.