Gzhel style in the interior

The interior in the style of Gzhel can be safely attributed to one of the most extraordinary. Although designers rarely choose such design, they have already managed to appreciate the potential of a colorful ornament. In the understanding of the inhabitant, Gzhel is a special type of painting mainly on porcelain, which Russian masters have been practicing for a long time. In fact, this concept has several meanings. The word "Gzhel" is not typical of the Russian language. It is believed that it was borrowed from the Balts. This name is borne by several rivers and the historical region located near Moscow. In the classical sense, Gzhel is called the painting and a special sort of clay from which semi-faience, earthenware and porcelain are made. Let's talk about what elements of the interior are decorated with unusual patterns and how they even appeared.

Gzhel: history and interesting facts of the development of the craft

Gzhel volost was famous for a special grade of clay, which was supplied to the royal court for the manufacture of alchemical (pharmaceutical) vessels. Locals were masters of pottery, as raw materials for handicraft production was located literally underfoot. Even Lomonosov enthusiastically spoke of this clay and the purity of the places where it is received. Toward the beginning of the XIX century, there were already 25 factories for the production of dishes and toys in Russia. In those days, the surfaces of horses, dolls, miniature birds, jugs, plates, and figurines were painted with purple, blue and yellow colors.

Patterns were made with floral motifs: flowers and leaves. Around the same time, the factories are starting up production of semi-faience. Toward the 20th century, products began to be made exclusively from porcelain and its coarser type (faience), which were produced from the same white Gzhel clay. Their compositions are constantly improving. If a century ago, among the owners of the factories, such artisan dynasties as the Gusyatnikovs, Srosley, Kokuny were listed, by the XX century the production of ceramics was monopolized by the Kuznetsov family. By this time, the traditional Gzhel pattern, made with blue and blue paints on a white background, was finally settled. The color scheme was borrowed from the Delft painting on porcelain.


During the establishment of the power of the Soviets, the plants were nationalized. In the first half of the 20th century, production of more than half of all Soviet porcelain was concentrated here. Gzhel fishing celebrated its 640th anniversary. However, in the 1930s and 1940s, porcelain production was in a deep crisis, like most of the country's industrial complex. Only after the 60s, it gradually began to recover, returning to the same accelerated pace. Gzhel is widely known not only in Russia, but also abroad. Basically, porcelain products with a traditional Gzhel pattern are purchased as souvenirs.

Where is gzhel found

Gzhel can be seen not only on porcelain surfaces. Blue-blue floral patterns are decorated with curtains, bedspreads, pillows, wallpapers, furniture fronts, flooring. At the moment there are three types of Gzhel subjects:

OrnamentThis group includes blue-white "checkers", "antennae", "fir-trees", "pearls" and "droplets". Such an ornament is usually allowed on the rim of porcelain products.
VegetableIt depicts tree branches, berries, spikelets, bouquets and flower garlands, leaves.
Plot storyThis theme is characterized by the image of the seasons and natural "scenes".


 

In the center of the traditional pattern is usually placed blue-blue flowers that resemble fancy frosty flower buds on a snow-white snowcover. Gzhel painting left the surfaces of household elements a long time ago and became a part of the art of painting. The opinion that traditional Russian patterns fit only the ethnic style of the same name is wrong. In the interior design, the ornament and pattern interweave into the light design of the houses of the French hinterland (Provence), into the modern decoration (high-tech, minimalism, Scandinavian) and even into the classic atmosphere.

In Gzhel painting great importance is the technique of applying paint and the ratio of colors in the composition. The original method was called the "alphabet of strokes".

Textile

Gzhel roses, poppies, cornflowers and paradise blue birds are applied to the surfaces of bedspreads, pillowcases, tablecloths, curtains, napkins, rugs, towels and rugs. Since the white background is traditionally used, these interior details look very light, airy and unobtrusive. Every designer knows that a large number of small elements clutter up space. With Gzhel, this rule does not work. Perhaps because the blue color has the property of “alienating” objects, visually increasing the distance to them, or maybe the reason is still hidden in a restrained background, which makes the pattern more dynamic. Of course, it is not necessary to decorate the whole room with textiles with Gzhel. Just a couple of major accents. For example, in the kitchen there are enough curtains, tablecloths and a pair of napkins or tacks. Complement the decor monochrome, striped blue-white textile or finishing materials.


    

Cookware and Serving Sets

Gzhel patterns were originally used only for decorating porcelain products, among which tableware ranked first. Of course, these decorations will look appropriate only in the kitchen, in the dining room and living room. Plates can be hung on the wall, mounted on stands or artistically arranged on the shelves of a cupboard, placing a large tureen, jug or salad bowl in the center. On holidays, the set will become a true decoration of the set table and will be well combined with white tablecloths, napkins, fresh flowers in wicker baskets.


Tea sets that were used to literally clog sideboards cause persistent associations with Soviet typical interiors. In order for such dishes to look modern in design, only one shelf is allocated for it, and in the neighborhood there is an additional stylish decor made of glass or steel. Napkins with blue-white patterns are in harmony with gray, yellow or light brown tablecloths. Chopping boards or sets of salt shakers, pepper shakers and sugar bowls decorate the kitchen shelves.

Accessories and decor items

Gzhel motifs can appear on the porcelain surfaces of figurines, vases, watches, bowls, jewelry boxes, candlesticks, chandeliers. Small decor is better to place in groups, where it will coexist with similar monochromatic details, but made in blue, blue or white, which will emphasize the ornament. Gzhel in the pictures and panels looks original. However, you should not choose large-sized canvas. Although Gzhel painting refers to painting, a large composition may suffer from an abundance of fine details. If the wall is large, it is better to use a group of small paintings.


 

Decoration Materials

Gzhel patterns can be found on wallpaper, decorative panels and ceramic tiles. Blue and white patterns decorate the walls and floor. The ceiling mostly remains white. Gzhel is recommended to be introduced into the interiors little by little, intelligently combining patterns with thematic paintings that adorn the surface of Chinese or Delft (Dutch) porcelain. It is better to wallpaper with only one wall or accent area. And a large print is not suitable for cramped, small rooms. The rest of the surface is decorated with plain white, blue, gray wallpaper. Gzhel combines well with light wood and light gilding. Themed finish combined with elements of country, classic, Scandinavian style. In the latter case, it turns out a rather unusual duet, a superfluous dynamics.


 

The fact is that blue, blue and white is the basis of the color composition of Scandinavian interiors. Flowers in them are not as common, and the culture is far from ours. However, due to the similarity between the Gzhel painting and the frosty patterns on the walls, the “cold” style surprisingly “warmly” is accepted by classical Russian art. Acrylic panels finish the kitchen aprons, the areas above the headboards in the bedrooms, mobile partitions or separate areas in the combined rooms. The glossy shine of the surface gives the ornament severity and solidity, like icing on a porcelain vase.

Furniture

Furniture, whose facades are decorated with Gzhel painting, is considered a bold decision. Any closet, dresser or table can be easily turned into a work of art by yourself. It is enough to clean the surface of the furniture from the old paint, to sand, if necessary, to paint white, and then apply either painting or an image from the napkins using decoupage technique. "Grandma's" dresser or wardrobe will get a chance for a second youth and organically merge into Provence, Russian ethnic style, country music, eclectic interiors.

    

Interior design options

Gzhel surprisingly combines elegance, depth and light solemnity. In the interiors, it integrates quite easily. The main thing is to observe a sense of proportion. Blue and white patterns will look brighter and more colorful if they are supplemented with a calm, neutral background. With the cobalt tint of the painting organically combined:

  • Black in small quantities.
  • Shades of brown.
  • Green (juicy tint).
  • Orange in small quantities.
  • Gilding, silver and bronze. Warm gold will make Gzhel painting more soft, cozy. Silver and shades of gray give patterns severity and solidity.
  • Yellow.
  • Coral.

If we consider the percentage ratio of the Gzhel pattern and the rest (mostly monochromatic) surfaces, then its share should not exceed 20%. The ornament is organically combined with simple geometric patterns: stripe, cell, peas, rhombuses.

Kitchen

Gzhel is always associated with kitchens, which is not surprising, because the ornament was originally used for decorating dishes. These motifs can be considered native to this room. The basis of the color scheme of the kitchen design will be blue, blue and white. Those shades that are classic for Gzhel painting. Since the kitchen has a complex microclimate, in this room the floor and partly the walls are tiled. Put it in a complicated pattern. For decoration of accent areas (dining area, kitchen apron) choose generously decorated tiles, and the rest of the space is reveted with snow-white tiles with a light blue ornament. The remaining area of ​​the walls is decorated with white, moisture-resistant plaster (you can texture). Snow-white furniture set with a simple decorated facades will overlap with a dining set (chairs and a table). An additional color in this composition will be gray.

Silver handles on the doors and drawers, stainless steel hood, a metal holder for disposable towels and hooks for small utensils (skimmers, ladles) on the apron will be the final touches in the design picture. Blue curtains to the floor will be combined with the original roller blinds from textile fabric in white and blue stripes. A large white pot with a palm tree or a willowy bush will complement the decor. The table is covered with a blue tablecloth without a pattern, and a wicker basket filled with fresh fruit is placed in the center. The result is a stylish, modern interior, which is not without grace, lightness and comfort.

Living room

In the living room, you can experiment and translate the eclectic direction, where Russian Gzhel fancifully mixes with the marine style that is close in color. For example, a sofa, the upholstery of which is decorated with floral patterns, would be nice to combine with a large picture, which depicts the sea element. In another embodiment, the accent wall is decorated with textured wallpaper, where each blue flower and leaf can be literally “touched” with your hands. If the owners do not intend to save on repairs, then the plastered surface can be painted (to hire an artist). White walls are combined with light wood or laminate flooring. Acceptable introduction of dark wood (picture frames, chairs, shelves) is permissible in the composition. The walls are decorated with bright painted plates. If the living room has a fireplace, then it is decorated with tiles with a Gzhel pattern. Bouquets of wildflowers are placed in blue-and-white porcelain vases. Cornflowers or chicory inflorescences will look most impressive.


 

Bedroom

In the design of the living room, Gzhel patterns are mainly decorated with textiles: upholstered chairs, a bedspread, pillows, a rug beside the bed, curtains. The walls are trimmed with wood, painted white. Above the headboard is placed a group of panels in the framework of a complex configuration. Instead of bedside tables use light racks with two shelves. On the countertops have paired lamps with blue porcelain "legs" and white shades. In addition, the room is decorated with groups of faience and glass vases of different shapes and colors (within the blue-white-blue range). A thin striped rug covers most of the light parquet. Blue curtains with lace edges combined with light, airy tulle without a pattern.


 

Bathroom

Gzhel patterns applied to the surface of the tile are ideal for the bathroom. First, white and blue are considered the traditional colors for this room. Secondly, a tile with a thematic pattern is fairly easy to find. A similar color scheme is suitable for spacious bathrooms in country houses, and for close combined bathrooms in apartments. So that the whole room does not seem coarsely decorated, tile should be combined with an ornament with white tiles and densely painted with blue flowers. Complement the interior with blue towels, lamps and light brown hints (wicker laundry basket, groups of paintings in frames, open pedestal).

Conclusion

Porcelain collectors highly appreciate decorative cats, birds, horses with riders, hares and teddy bears, painted in the style of Gzhel. Such miniature decorations can be dispersed around the apartment and arranged in pairs in different rooms. In fact, the still unfired porcelain products are painted with cobalt oxide, which is black. After firing, the substance is restored and turns blue. In imitations, the surface is simply painted with ordinary paints, which subsequently quickly "peel off", since they were not fixed by temperature. By the way, the products are necessarily subjected to double firing. After the first procedure, they apply glaze and then fix it with a secondary temperature treatment. Because of this, the products are durable and smooth. Gzhel is not only a type of painting, it is also a sign of quality.

Watch the video: Painted under gzhel house in Mytishchi with a colorful interior for 300 million rubles (March 2024).

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