The History of Interior Design

In the modern world, human life activities are played out in interior spaces. We may love being out-of-doors for the sense of open air and sky, for the escape it offers from life inside enclosure, but the very joy of being outside reflects the reality that so much of life is spent inside.

Buildings and their interiors are planned to serve the purposes and styles from the times of their origins, but they exert their influence on the activities and lives that they house as long as they continue to be used.

The study of interior design, its development and change through history is a useful way both to explore the past and to make sense of the spaces in which modern life is lived.

Professional interior designers are expected to study design history, to know the practices of the past in the terms of “styles”, and to know the names and the nature of the contributions of those individuals who generated the most interesting and influential approaches to design.

escape –спасение

enclosure -ограждение

purpose –цель

to exert –оказывать

development –развитие

to explore –исследовать, изучать

contribution –вклад

approach –подход

2. Find the English equivalents in the text:

жизнедеятельность людей, вне дома, именно радость, отражать реальность, служить целям, со времен происхождения, оказывать влияние, вмещать, использовать пространство с пользой, изучать историю дизайна, знать правила употребления термина «стиль» в прошлом, суть вклада, влиятельный.

3. True or false:

1). Human life activities are played out in interior spaces.

2). The very joy of being outside reflects the fact that we spend a greater part of our life outside.

3). Buildings and their interiors exert their influence only on the activities of people.

4). The study of interior design, its development and change through history is a useful way to explore the past.

5). Professional interior designers are expected to know the names of the people who contributed much to the development of the design.

4. Answer the questions:

1). Why do we like being out-of-doors?

2). What does the joy of being outside reflect?

3). What are the buildings and their interiors are planned for?

4). Why is it useful to study the history of the interior design?

5). Do you know what the term “style” means?

4. Insert prepositions where necessary:

1). People spend a lot ___ their lives ___ interior spaces.

2). Buildings and their interiors influence ___ the activities and lives that they house.