Outdoor Furniture, Patio Furniture and more!

Centuries ago, in its first role, the gazebo performed in-the-round on rooftops.  Eventually, however, tired of playing such a lofty character, and wanting to seem more down-to-earth, it reinvented itself, as a separate, free-standing structure.

This was a bold move, as it risked a terrible loss of status; but, luckily, the transformation was such a resounding success, that it made the gazebo a star.  In my last entry, I began chronicling its endless run since then; and I believe I left off somewhere in the Middle Ages.

During the Renaissance, gazebos were in greater demand than ever; and no proper garden would be without one. Succumbing to the perils of such a high degree of celebrity, the more attention-grabbing gazebos became so outrageously extravagant that they actually caused scandals.

At the same time, many others remained humble, and served in the gardens of monasteries, as shrines, prayer houses, and places of meditation, where people could get in touch with their spiritual sides, or simply enjoy nature.

In the 14th century, France had four gazebos built at the Louvre.  The French style influenced those in many other countries, including England, where they surged in popularity in the 15th century.  In Elizabethan gardens, where they were commonly designed after the main houses, gazebos were used for entertaining.

During the late 1700’s, England, and other parts of Europe, got caught up in a craze for Chinese-style summerhouses.  This led to William Halfpenny’s 1752 book, ‘New Designs for Chinese Temples,’ which featured the first known appearance of the word, gazebo.

As is always the case, American audiences are the toughest.  This was especially true in this country’s early (a-hem!) stages, as the colonists were otherwise occupied.  So, gazebos didn’t get their big break here until the mid-1800’s, when the new middle class prospered.

They had some competition around the turn of the century, when houses were being built with grand porches, then made a comeback around 1930.  In the 40’s, patios had the edge for awhile, but some time during the 80’s, the resilient gazebo orchestrated a huge resurgence.

Indeed, the gazebo’s decision to come down from its perch really paid off.  After hundreds of years, it’s um, descendents, with their more grounded, approachable image, are more popular than ever, and still living the high life!

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: gazebo, Gazebos, history of garden structures, outdoor structures