The Art Nouveau style originated in the late 19th century and was established as a new art that rejected more traditional movements, such as the Victorian era. Art Nouveau embraces decorative and applied arts as it once entered the daily life of human beings and celebrated the work of the artist. It became a popular style for interior designing and continues to do so as well. Here are some suggestions for getting the look of Art Nouveau design in your home.
Colors: Art Nouveau interiors are often painted in light and somber colors including the use of white or off-white. While white may be a boring color for some people, you can create the Art Nouveau feel by using pastel shades including lilac, pink and light green. Dark furniture and darker decorations would be used to contrast with the lighter walls.
Shapes: The Art Nouveau period is infamous for its curvilinear forms with undulating lines. Lines are a key feature in creating Art Nouveau interiors and you can be creative with it. You can either incorporate curvy lines or more vertical lines to add height to a room. A combination of curvy and straight lines can also be used. Lines make a room dynamic and create interesting movement. Lines can be used on furniture, lamps and accessories.
Motifs: Stylized flowers and plant motifs are highly popular for Art Nouveau inspired design. You cannot complete an Art Nouveau room without using stylish floral patterns that use poppies, flower buds and leaves. You can incorporate these motifs either on wall paper, pillows, furniture or decorative art work. The use of floral imagery is less realistic and more stylized and botanical.
Material: The material used for Art Nouveau interiors relies heavily on natural finishes such as oak or satin wood. Decorations were often carved into the material or done as inlays. Silver and semi-precious stones are also popular material along with iridescent glass. Stained glass can be incorporated in your design as well such as using a Tiffany Lamp.
Furniture: High backed chairs in black lacquer or upholstered furniture with curvy or floral patterns are signature styles for Art Nouveau interiors. Again, natural material and exotic woods are excellent choices and dark colors can be used for contrast with light walls. Anything that emphasizes linear form is a key aspect for getting the look you want.
Lighting and decorations: Tiffany Lamps are classic Art Nouveau examples of decorative lighting. Decorations tend to be simplistic and minimal to avoid clutter. For any lamp, you can paint floral or linear designs to achieve the signature look. Curtains tend to be simple with floral patterns or solid colors. Oriental rugs are also part of the Art Nouveau look. If you have a fireplace in your room, it may be a good idea to make it the focal point as Art Nouveau interiors tend to be simple.
By using some of these ideas and looking back into history for inspiration, you will be moments away from designing your room in the Art Nouveau style that you want. Just keep in mind certain signature aspects such as floral patterns and curvilinear lines!
Arts and Crafts Period Treasures
During the late 19th century, artistic movements began emphasizing arts and crafts where artists can create work with pride and skill. People began to reject mass produced goods and embraced the work of the true artist. The Arts and Crafts movement was established in England and moved to other parts of the world including the United States where the style was called Mission Style. Arts and crafts were made by skilled craftsmen and artists and the objects were included in the daily life of people such as for interior decoration. The Arts and Crafts movement played an important role in making interior decorating popular.
The Arts and Crafts period was highly inspired by Medieval Europe, Islamic design, and Japanese ideas. The formal qualities of this period were linear and angular with stylized decorations. Craftsmanship is a key aspect of Arts and Crafts period treasures and over time, only the wealthy could obtain valuable pieces of quality. In the United States, this idea of craftsmanship was combined with mass production to meet the demands of consumers who wanted Arts and Crafts period treasures in their homes at more affordable prices. The Mission Style in America established in California and was inspired by Southwestern styles that used Hispanic and Native American design elements.
You can bring back the Arts and Crafts period movement into your interior design with some period treasures and antiques. The idea is to preserve the objects and emphasize the natural qualities of materials. Wood work with unique details such as inlays and carved motifs are part of this movement and can be found on many Arts and Crafts period treasures. Stoneware with linear and angular forms and designs are also popular objects. Keep in mind that this period of style focused on craftsmanship, simple forms and natural motifs.
Mission style furniture and natural wood furniture are some design ideas for this period. Metal work is also significant and can be found in metal art, metal lighting fixtures and other metallic decorative elements that are antique looking. Makers of Arts and Crafts period treasures for metalwork include Roycroft, Heintz, Silver Crest, and other. American pottery made by Roseville, Rookwood, McCoy and others is also popular. Any antiques and collectibles from the Art Nouveau and Art Deco periods are considered to be part of the Arts and Crafts movement.
Some popular names for furniture treasures from this period include Gustav Stickley, L&JG Stickley and Libert & Others. Ceramic tiles and patterned textiles are included in the vast array of Arts and Crafts period treasures. Furniture that is made of Oak and has inlays or carved patterns is part of this movement.
Any decorative objects that are one of a kind and have intricate details and quality craftsmanship are considered to be valuable objects to include in your design. You can visit antique shops and vintage stores to find the best works from the Arts and Crafts movement. If you invest a sufficient amount of money, you can even get some valuable originals. By doing some research and investing in antiques from the Arts and Crafts period can bring true style and character to your home.