Art Nouveau - (from the French art nouveau - new art) - the French name for the trend and style that originated in Belgium and France at the cusp of the 19th-20th century. Very often it is confused with Modern, but Modern and Art Nouveau are far from the being the same. Art Nouveau refers to the “floral” trend of Modern and is a decorative and ornamental style.
This style is remarkable, first of all, for its sinuous and smooth outlines. The line is the basis of the ornament, performing a style-forming function, becoming the embodiment of beauty. The main distinguishing feature of Art Nouveau is decorativeness.
The features of the style are natural, plant motifs, and an organic fusion of structural and decorative elements of interior. These may be climbing plants, and images of female figures with flowing hair. The most popular Art Nouveau motifs are aquatic plants, such as lilies, water lilies, both flowers and stems. Other shapes can also be used: circle, oval and square.
Art Nouveau in interior means rounded lines, multi-level and asymmetry. This is a harmonious combination of a wide variety of materials and methods of decoration - metal and stone, wood and glass, wallpaper and painting, stained glass and mirrors.
When choosing materials, preference should be given to natural or imitating ones. The walls can be half stone or sandstone; marble chips of beige, brown or reddish colors will also do. It is important that the top line is designed not evenly, but curvilinearly, because smooth lines are the hallmark of Art Nouveau interiors.
When creating an art nouveau style in your home, give up straight lines and angles. Even in a decoration of ceiling, give preference to wavy, semicircular and oval shapes.
A wonderful idea for color design of a room would be a wavy border between two contrasting shades. These color borders look very impressive. You can use wallpapers of different textures, colors and patterns, edging them with flexible white moldings.
A variety of floral motifs in decoration will bring coziness and comfort to a design of your home. The use of wall and table lamps made of frosted glass imitating flowers is purely Art Nouveau style: plant forms and subdued local lighting. Floor-length tablecloths, asymmetrical curtains and lambrequins, draperies, often captivating and part of a wall - all these are features of this style.
The embodiment of Art Nouveau style will be a built-in wardrobe with sliding doors, where instead of a standard mirror you can use frosted stained glass with a floral and floral ornament. An irregularly shaped wall mirror, also with an Art nouveau ornament, will be an excellent decoration.
It is also better to make corridors asymmetric with beveled or rounded corners and non-standard openings. The floor or carpet should be abstract, repeating the interweaving lines, contrasting with the main background. Doorways can also be of non-standard asymmetric shape.
Kitchen and bathroom can also be designed in Art Nouveau style. Choose custom made furniture with curved fronts and rounded countertops. It is better not to choose chrome for accessories but a noble patina, which will look great in combination with accentuated plant motifs. Stained glass or small accents on dishes will give your kitchen interior a complex symbolism, and it is so welcomed by all connoisseurs of this style.
