DOORS

Front door was made to look simultaneously as festive as the

backdrop of a stage, and as imposing as the gates of citadel.
It was flanked by columns, or pilasters.
The columns might be plain Doric, to look forbidding, or
ornamental, to look expensive.

PEDIMENT
DOOR HOOD

TRANSOM LIGHT

The doors were often positioned at the top of steps, and could be
canopied by a shell or placed in a porch.
Door were ornamented with hinges in L-shaped, but terfly or
cocks-head patterns.

PILASTERS

Massive wooden box locks were used by most people, but the rich
bought intricate and expensive iron and brass locks to advertise
their patronage of ingenious mechanics.

WINDO
WS
Large window openings were at first supported by mullions and transoms.
As the period progressed these were reduced both in quantity and bulk .
Initially the central king mullion remained substantial while the others were
reduced in size.
Then, as the numbers of windows increased and became narrower, king
mullions became dispensable.
The development of counter-weighted vertically sliding sashes in the 1670s
eliminated the need for mullions and transoms while allowing much larger
area of glass to be moved.
By 1700 sashes were common, and the fashionable ones were as tall and
narrow as possible.
Transoms were positioned relatively high in the opening and were reduced
from two to one.
The moulded profiles of early mullions were replaced by plain square
sections.

FLOORS
Baroque houses would have stone flags in the principal and service rooms
at the entrance level when stone was available alternatively brick and tiles
would be used.
Floors using stone or marble in two or more colours were laid in such a way
that they created illusionistic patterns: the surface appeared to vary in
depth.
On the upper levels, floors were made of wooden boards, except in the east
midlands of England where they were made of lime putty laid on laths.
The most expensive wooden floors were laid in patterns and were executed
in woods of several colours.
Effects similar to those produced in stone could be achieved by using
parquet or even marquetry.
A less expensive form of decoration was achieved by painting patterns on
floorboards.
Woven carpets, usually imported from the eastern Mediterranean, were
considered to be expensive to walk on. They were placed beneath the best
furniture.

The flooring in this room is very detailed

with a random pattern of different sized
pieces of wood creating visual definition
when the floor is actually sleek

The carpet in the home during the

Baroque Period was very detailed with
many strange patterns and colors.

STAIRCA
SES
The stairs are usually of wood, commonly oak.
The grandest stairs are of stone with elaborate wrought-iron balustrades.
The most expensive wooden balustrades were continuous pierced panels,
at first of strap work and later of acanthus scrollwork, sometimes with
additional carved figures
Newels are usually square sectioned with a finial on top.
Square-sectioned newels were eventually replaced by a form of classical
column.

VASE SHAPE
BALUSTER
A WOODEN SPIRAL STAIRCASE WITH
VERY INTRICATE DETAILING

Acanthus leaves were carved on expensive balusters in mid-century.

Less expensive versions were obtained by cutting the profile from a flat
piece of wood.
As classical prototypes were sought, mid century balusters were given a
vase-shaped profile