Swirls of Style: Emulating Art Nouveau in the Modern Home
Inspired by nature, the patterns and organic shapes characteristic of the Art Nouveau period can add oodles of graceful style to your home
The swirling lines of Art Nouveau have an intriguing grace that is often unrivalled. And when used with restraint, it is an aesthetic that has proved to be timeless. First appearing in the early 1880s but gone by the eve of World War I, Art Nouveau was a short-lived decorative movement, yet its innovative style has been appreciated ever since. Curving and swirling lines that had tension, dynamism and movement became an ornamental force to be reckoned with, pervading architecture and visual arts around the world.
Art Nouveau elements can be found in historic villas and houses as well as being added to modern-day homes. Here’s how you can incorporate Art Nouveau into the architectural design of your home; but just remember, if you want to keep your home looking fresh and contemporary, the mantra ‘less is more’ flows strong.
Art Nouveau elements can be found in historic villas and houses as well as being added to modern-day homes. Here’s how you can incorporate Art Nouveau into the architectural design of your home; but just remember, if you want to keep your home looking fresh and contemporary, the mantra ‘less is more’ flows strong.
Decorative fretwork
Art Nouveau fretwork adds interest to the upper space of a room. It works particularly well in a hallway that is otherwise very rectilinear and geometric. In this hallway, the curves and swirls above are also a softening contrast to the strong black and white stripes below.
In Australia, federation-period architects would add Art Nouveau forms and lines to surfaces of white wood. Many heritage villas may still have this fretwork in tact, otherwise it can be purchased or custom made to fit a required space.
Art Nouveau fretwork adds interest to the upper space of a room. It works particularly well in a hallway that is otherwise very rectilinear and geometric. In this hallway, the curves and swirls above are also a softening contrast to the strong black and white stripes below.
In Australia, federation-period architects would add Art Nouveau forms and lines to surfaces of white wood. Many heritage villas may still have this fretwork in tact, otherwise it can be purchased or custom made to fit a required space.
Leadlight windows
Leadlight, or stained-glass, windows proved to be particularly popular during the Art Nouveau movement. Australian federation architects would also use decorative leadlight windows in the front entrances, bay windows, fanlights, interconnecting doors, and even cabinets and firescreens, and many displayed the flowing Art Nouveau colours and forms. Characteristically, they often had a sense of bubbling and growth with stylised flower-like forms appearing to blossom from the bottom to the top of the pane –the stem considered to be the vibrant source of energy.
Leadlight, or stained-glass, windows proved to be particularly popular during the Art Nouveau movement. Australian federation architects would also use decorative leadlight windows in the front entrances, bay windows, fanlights, interconnecting doors, and even cabinets and firescreens, and many displayed the flowing Art Nouveau colours and forms. Characteristically, they often had a sense of bubbling and growth with stylised flower-like forms appearing to blossom from the bottom to the top of the pane –the stem considered to be the vibrant source of energy.
Floor tiles
As Art Nouveau pervaded all forms of visual and decorative arts, architects and designers sought to create interiors as a total work of art, such as can be seen in this long and narrow bathroom. An intricate and organic pattern paves the floor and swirls up the wall and through the window. It is finished off with an Art Nouveau-framed mirror.
As Art Nouveau pervaded all forms of visual and decorative arts, architects and designers sought to create interiors as a total work of art, such as can be seen in this long and narrow bathroom. An intricate and organic pattern paves the floor and swirls up the wall and through the window. It is finished off with an Art Nouveau-framed mirror.
Wall tiles
A low-relief Art Nouveau pattern on these wall tiles creates a wallpaper-like effect. It also adds texture and dimensionality to an otherwise flat wall. While historically Art Nouveau tiles may have used a combination of colours, these tiles reflect light and cast shadows, transforming the wall into a spectrum of tones and shades.
A low-relief Art Nouveau pattern on these wall tiles creates a wallpaper-like effect. It also adds texture and dimensionality to an otherwise flat wall. While historically Art Nouveau tiles may have used a combination of colours, these tiles reflect light and cast shadows, transforming the wall into a spectrum of tones and shades.
Ceiling relief
An Art Nouveau pattern can be added to the ceiling either as stucco relief or as painted trompe l’oeil, like this one. Here, the curving pattern is inspired by the surrounding architectural elements of the ironwork from the Grand Palais in Paris.
An Art Nouveau pattern can be added to the ceiling either as stucco relief or as painted trompe l’oeil, like this one. Here, the curving pattern is inspired by the surrounding architectural elements of the ironwork from the Grand Palais in Paris.
Custom fireplace or mantel
Art Nouveau saw a breakdown of hierarchies between decorative arts, sculpture and architecture. Accordingly, this statement fireplace, while purely a superficial mantel, adds sculptural and decorative form to an architectural element that is both curvaceous and sinuous.
Art Nouveau saw a breakdown of hierarchies between decorative arts, sculpture and architecture. Accordingly, this statement fireplace, while purely a superficial mantel, adds sculptural and decorative form to an architectural element that is both curvaceous and sinuous.
Iron railing
Some of the most famous Art Nouveau work – particularly in urban projects – are the entrances to the Paris Metro designed by Hector Guimard in 1900 for the Paris Exposition. Guimard fused nature and technology and applied organic forms to prefabricated iron. As such plant-like ornamental forms became structural, as they are in this iron railing, there was a sense of movement and flow up and down the stairs.
Some of the most famous Art Nouveau work – particularly in urban projects – are the entrances to the Paris Metro designed by Hector Guimard in 1900 for the Paris Exposition. Guimard fused nature and technology and applied organic forms to prefabricated iron. As such plant-like ornamental forms became structural, as they are in this iron railing, there was a sense of movement and flow up and down the stairs.
Front entrance awning
Some of the entrances to the Paris Metro also featured a fan-shaped glass and iron awning that had opaque panelling decorated with floral motifs. This front door is adorned with such an awning, making an elegant and welcoming entrance.
Some of the entrances to the Paris Metro also featured a fan-shaped glass and iron awning that had opaque panelling decorated with floral motifs. This front door is adorned with such an awning, making an elegant and welcoming entrance.
Bold wallpaper
Peacocks have been a favourite ornamental motif for centuries and were a favoured pattern during the Art Nouveau period. Peacocks are a symbol of wealth, beauty and – fittingly for the Art Nouveau movement – rebirth. This wallpaper uses a graphic representation of a peacock feather on this feature wall and contrasts it with bright pops of yellow so as not to overwhelm.
Peacocks have been a favourite ornamental motif for centuries and were a favoured pattern during the Art Nouveau period. Peacocks are a symbol of wealth, beauty and – fittingly for the Art Nouveau movement – rebirth. This wallpaper uses a graphic representation of a peacock feather on this feature wall and contrasts it with bright pops of yellow so as not to overwhelm.
Painted mural
Decadent and exquisitely beautiful, the peacock is also a symbol of dangerous pride or vanity. The owners of this Perth house painted a bright and vibrant peacock and woman mural in their courtyard, which takes inspiration from a Vogue cover from 1918.
The original drawing, by George Wolfe Plank, features a woman dressed in a glamorous black kimono sitting atop a white peacock, as both gaze into a gilt mirror admiring their beauty.
More about this house
Decadent and exquisitely beautiful, the peacock is also a symbol of dangerous pride or vanity. The owners of this Perth house painted a bright and vibrant peacock and woman mural in their courtyard, which takes inspiration from a Vogue cover from 1918.
The original drawing, by George Wolfe Plank, features a woman dressed in a glamorous black kimono sitting atop a white peacock, as both gaze into a gilt mirror admiring their beauty.
More about this house
Ceramic mosaic
Art Nouveau was also found in ceramic mosaics, some of the most famous being by Antoni Gaudí in Parc Güell in Barcelona. This mosaic incorporates the twisting, turning and flowering forms with two peacocks for a colourful poolside display.
Art Nouveau was also found in ceramic mosaics, some of the most famous being by Antoni Gaudí in Parc Güell in Barcelona. This mosaic incorporates the twisting, turning and flowering forms with two peacocks for a colourful poolside display.
Laser-cut screen
Laser-cut screens can be used for both decoration and privacy. This screen features a whirling and swirling pattern inspired by the organic beauty and grace of nature.
Laser-cut screens can be used for both decoration and privacy. This screen features a whirling and swirling pattern inspired by the organic beauty and grace of nature.
And when the sun hits it right, the screen casts shadows through the interior of the space like a decorative and ever-moving work of art.
TELL US
Do you have any Art Nouveau elements in your home? Tell us in the Comments.
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TELL US
Do you have any Art Nouveau elements in your home? Tell us in the Comments.
MORE
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Art Nouveau came about at the end of the 19th century when artists and designers sought to express a new style for a new age. However, it was more than just drawing on the inherent beauty of nature; rather it was an expression of anxiety that came with the close of the century.
Artists and designers expressed their fear and anxiety through the twisting, turning and sometimes violent lines and curves – like an invisible force of nature – influenced by exploration and discoveries in science and nature, a growing awareness of the psyche, and the increasing development of new technologies, techniques and materials.
Pictured: Door to 29 Avenue Rapp, 7th arrondissement, Paris, by architect Jules Lavirotte; sculptures by Jean-François Larrivé (1901); photo by Wikimedia Commons user Paris 16