Art Nouveau in the interior: a characteristic of style and examples

The "style of the waves" is characterized by an incredible softness of the lines, which helps to achieve a state of inner harmony and has a calming effect on a person. It successfully intertwines the elegance inherited from the Baroque, industrial motifs and multi-genre. The Art Nouveau style in the interior is striking in its grace and noble aristocracy, which is found in the classic variation of direction. It is not without brevity, although it is designed for spacious apartments. Let's talk about this amazing, unique direction, which even after a century does not lose its relevance and continues to be embodied already in modern interiors.

The history of the appearance of style

The term "art nouveau" means "a novelty in art." He really burst into the history of design with a fresh breeze, mercilessly sweeping away the hateful ideas of former stylistic concepts on his way. The time of birth of the direction is considered to be the end of the XIX century. During this period, technical progress only gained momentum. Borders between countries were rapidly erased, which entailed a mixture of styles. Although the world was developing rapidly, the process of change was much slower in art. Saturated by the luxury of rich apartments, designers tried to draw new ideas that corresponded to the "spirit of the times." The younger generation of architects, artists, designers consciously sought to synthesize a new style: with a grand scale, unlike previous directions, unique in its kind. The formation of Art Nouveau began simultaneously in several parts of Europe. In different countries, he even received other names. Art nouveau, metro, or Guimart style direction dubbed the French. Guimard is an architect who designed the entrances to the metro, who became famous for their uniqueness and “dissimilarity” to similar objects in other countries. In Belgium, he was called the style of Orta (modernist architect), in Italy - liberty. Artists and designers drew inspiration from nature: soft lines, neutral colors, original decor, which resembled natural elements (butterflies, buds, dragonflies). Classic Art Nouveau did not recognize the orderliness in the interior. In more modern versions, the direction has undergone changes and under the pressure of ideas of rationalism gradually began to eliminate the natural component from the basic concept. Subsequently, the style became the ancestor of Art Deco and marked the beginning of the era of functionalism in art in general, and in design in particular. In the heyday of art nouveau was used throughout the design of restaurants, shops, cafes and private clubs, where creative bohemians gathered.


    

Main features, features and characteristics

Although multi-genre style unites a whole group of subdirections, art nouveau has common features:

  • Smooth, curved lines. No "correct" geometry. Art Nouveau's favorite pattern is waves.
  • In the interiors there is a pattern with floral motifs. And the inspiration gives exotic: peacock feathers, rare tropical flowers, which are covered with long creepers, curved branches of trees, bends of light wings of butterflies or dragonflies. Also in the interiors are often roses, irises, grapes, clematis, hops, lilies.
  • Asymmetry. This area is not suitable for perfectionists who like a pair of repetitive pieces of furniture and decor.
  • In color scale prevail natural shades.
  • Instead of the usual doors, the rooms are connected by arched openings.
  • The presence of wide, curved stairs.
  • Stained glass, fragments of which are folded into a fancy mosaic.

Another characteristic feature of the direction can be considered the completeness of the interiors. The abundance of parts never goes beyond the boundaries and does not overload the space. Art Nouveau interiors are as organic and picturesque as natural landscapes.

    

Used color range

The basis of the color scale is white and shades of brown: sepia, bistre, ocher, walnut, terracotta, chocolate, brick, chestnut, umber, vanilla, copper, sepia, carnidal, somon, gummigut, beige, cream and coffee with milk. The main thing is that the tones are natural, natural and do not cause intuitive rejection and rejection in a person. As accents choose olive, mustard, wine, turquoise, purple.

      

Finishing materials

For the decoration of rooms using different texture materials that create an organic combination. Parquet is used as a floor covering. In modern art nouveau, the use of laminate is permissible. To finish the floor in the kitchen and in the bathroom, stone or tile is used, which smoothly flows into the wood veneer of the adjacent rooms. The surfaces are often decorated with patterns and smooth patterns that resemble the original texture of wood or the mixture of cream in a cup of coffee. Walls paste over with wall-paper or cover with decorative plaster. In rare cases, they are dyed or draped with fabrics that, with soft flowing folds, introduce an additional portion of "waviness" into the interior. The ceiling is plastered in classic white color. However, its texture is rarely concise because of additions in the form of a vegetative ornament of stucco or stained glass inserts. It is in this direction (the first of the classical ones) that the idea of ​​using ceilings of complex configuration got used. Now in modern styles such an interior solution is not new, but during the heyday of art nouveau it was a wonder. Fireplace shelves, decorative niches, accent elements trimmed with natural or artificial stone.


    

About furniture

In the interiors, decorated in the style of Art Nouveau, usually used massive wooden furniture. However, it does not seem so bulky and heavy, as in a classic apartment. A similar effect is achieved, thanks to the ornate interweaving of lines of arched openings, cornices, stair railings, bed backs and cabinets fronts, which forms fancy lace. The configuration of the furniture is also very specific: non-standard forms are welcome. Surprisingly, in this aspect, art nouveau is similar to futurism, for which the use of streamlined parts is also characteristic.


    

Lighting

Rooms are usually decorated with wide panoramic windows, so there is no shortage of natural lighting. In each room it is enough to place a massive ceiling chandelier with multi-tiered rows of light bulbs. The more intricate its shape, the better. Chandeliers are decorated with numerous crystal elements and elegant forged details. In classic art nouveau, devices that imitate candlesticks are used. In the bedroom, local lighting is represented by one large sconce over the headboard. In the living room in addition put a pair of lamps. In the kitchen, the working area can be illuminated with dotted light bulbs that intelligently mask over the apron. Chandeliers are usually combined with a relief element on the ceiling: stained glass, glossy, metal or wooden insert, decorative "ledge". The main secret art nouveau - frosted glass on the ceiling, which scatters the light and creates a mysterious and slightly mystical setting.


    

Elements of decor and textiles

In the interiors there are necessarily wrought elements and stained glass windows that adorn not only the windows, but also act as independent art objects (paintings). The use of mirrors in massive frames that look more like a pattern of tightly woven tree roots or vines is welcomed. They also use massive floor vases with a floral ornament, large sculptures depicting people or animals, paintings on the walls. The main themes of the latter are picturesque landscapes, pacifying reservoirs, fabulous panoramas, still lifes with flowers and fruits. From textiles, preference is given to natural fabrics: velor, brocade, silk, velvet. The windows are closed with thick curtains. Furniture upholstery is usually replete with floral patterns, which are slightly powdered with gilding. The floors are covered with carpets.

The abundance of floral motifs does not preclude the use of indoor plants. Flower pots, on the contrary, are considered a necessary element in each room. They become a living continuation of the concept of "naturalness", the addition of man-made parts.

Registration of the apartment / house

Art Nouveau rooms smoothly flow into each other. Doorways are recommended to be abandoned in favor of open arches. An exception will be only those rooms where it is necessary to preserve a certain intimacy (bathroom, bedroom). The scope of art nouveau is difficult to squeeze into the framework of small apartments, so the direction is recommended to use for the design of spacious country houses. High ceilings, elegant staircases, panoramic windows, large rooms - this is fertile ground for the heyday of style in all its glory. In country houses, instead of cramped hallways, there are spacious halls. Apartment combined bathrooms are replaced by luxury apartments, where there is enough space for a classic bathroom with twisted legs, elegant chandeliers, massive mirrors and openwork partitions. If there is such an opportunity, then under the domed roof of the house they organize a greenhouse, which will become a place for solitude and rest.


    

Living room

Art Nouveau living room is striking in scope. Behind a massive sofa upholstered in deep turquoise or coffee-colored velvet, a fresco is placed on the entire wall. Its top is topped with a stained glass or carved wooden insert. Near the sofa have a coffee table of an unusual, streamlined shape. Its table top is made from a combination of frosted and ordinary clear glass. On the couch modestly huddled a couple of pillows.

Wide panoramic windows are covered with thick curtains to the floor in steel color, which are in harmony with weightless white tulle. On the plastered ceiling, an inset of stained glass mosaic framed in wood stands out as a bright spot. The center of the decorative element is a massive chandelier. The floor is decorated with parquet board soft walnut color. Instead of a fillet, a stylized vine of grape made of wood or metal passes around the room.

Kitchen

The Art Nouveau kitchen is made in light shades of brown, which are successfully combined with the milky white of the fronts of the headset. Their surfaces are additionally decorated with exquisite carvings. The kitchen apron is decorated with ceramic tiles with floral ornaments. In modern interiors, the use of a single-color material painted in a “delicious” accent color is allowed: wine, olive, mustard, tangerine.

The glossy floor with marble stains reflects a multi-stage chandelier of complex configuration. The ceiling is decorated with stucco. In the kitchens, combined with dining rooms, eating areas are decorated with a furniture set from a round or oval-shaped dining table and a group of chairs, the carved backs of which resemble the openwork wings of butterflies. The walls are covered with vinyl wallpaper with a gray-bronze pattern, similar to the artful interweaving of stems and buds of wild roses.

Bedroom

A massive wooden bed is decorated with a canopy, which, like a vine or hops, is intertwined with high posts. The luxurious bed is covered with a brocade veil. The headboard is decorated with carving. On both sides of the bed put small, unpretentious bedside tables made of wood with thin legs. A triptych with picturesque landscapes or a painted bas-relief depicting a peacock with a “flowing” tail is hung over the headboard.

In a separate area have a massive mirror with a large mirror. The ceiling is decorated with frosted glass inserts, the wavy edges of which are underlined by spotlights. The floor is covered with soft carpet. Walls are covered with wallpaper with a light, unobtrusive pattern that helps to relax before bedtime. The windows are covered with curtains of soft shades: pink, lilac, mustard, olive. From the ceiling hanging chandelier, "wrapped" in a matte ceiling.

Conclusion

To create an interior in the spirit of Art Nouveau, inspiration should be drawn from the surrounding nature. Pay attention to the bizarre, but incredibly elegant curves of plants and trees, watch the flight of butterflies, dragonflies, admire the grace of swans or the striking beauty of peacocks. Art Nouveau is chosen by creative people. Indeed, it is difficult to imagine that in such interiors, conservatives or minimalists will feel “at home”. Perhaps the secret of direction is that it opens the gates to the world of fantasy: bizarre, but beautiful. Although the flowering of the direction did not last too long by design standards (only 30-40 years old), it left an indelible mark on art and became a permanent style to which it comes back again and again, even decades later.

Watch the video: Art Nouveau vs. Art Deco (March 2024).

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