Art Nouveau Interior Design

It has been said often that Art Nouveau interior design is in fact the original modern style of the 20th century, as it was the first style to stop looking back in time for inspiration.

Art Nouveau was influenced by ideas of the natural world and what designers experienced around them, borrowing ideas from nature and reflecting them in magnificent fabrics and wall paper.

From 1880 to 1910, art nouveau interior design was the height of originality and design excellence. The concept was first on show in Paris, France and then London, UK. It caused a huge fuss as people instantly loved it or loathed it.

The two distinct looks that were commonly used by nouveau artist are rational, linear lines and curves that take on organic shapes.

Take a look at the wonderful work created by the architect/designer Charles Rennie MacKintosh and his wife and fellow artist, Margaret MacDonald. I am very proud to be from the same city, Glasgow in bonnie Scotland.

Art nouveaus predecessor is the arts and crafts style, taking from it the shared love of beautifully hand crafted, quality goods of fine craftsmanship.

The look incorporates stylized flowers, leaves, buds and roots like those shown in the image below. The female form was widely used in the pre-Raphaelite pose with long, flowing hair. Art Deco was also influenced by those elements.

Exotic woods were designed into the incredible marquetry of Art Nouveau interiors and iridescent glass stunned buyers with its sumptuous look and dream like appeal. Lalique is a perfect example of this type of glass. 

Colors: soft, muted colors were often used so select from a palette assortment of sage and olive green, mustard yellows and brown. Pair those up with beautiful shades of lilac, violet and purple. Peacock blue is stunning against a white backdrop so do not be afraid to paint your walls in brilliant white or in an off-white shade.

Walls: you could select a magnificent wallpaper like that seen in the image above or in the below left bedroom, to act as a feature wall. There are incredible ranges to suit art nouveau interior design or why not just keep your walls white and elegant looking.

White or off white tiles interspersed with a patterned one would certainly add to the authenticity of your look.

Floors: should be parquet to resemble the floor finish of the marquetry that was often used. Keep the timber in natural mid tones or for a modern twist you could whitewash it with paint.

Decor: wasn't always simple, it was however decadent and ornamental. Take a look at the ensemble below.  Here we see a collection of necessary storage, developed into on piece. It has simple touches of design and staying true to this period it is warm in color and has a beautiful mix of curvy and straight lines flowing up either side. The organic look of art nouveau interior design always grows from the ground up.

Stained glass panels with curved leading that look like stalks and leaves really help to bring this concept to life. They were often used in doors as well as in furniture wardrobe doors, cabinets and mirrors. A mix of colorful glass and semi-precious stones can be used to really give a luxurious finish.

Chairs were more often tall like those you can see below. This helped to create intimate spaces within a room, allowing ladies to sit and chit chat without worry of their voices being carried across the room. They were usually finished in a glossy black lacquer and occasional had touches of a floral design in the upholstery fabrics.

Accessorize your finished room with a selection of ornaments in silver, pewter and opaque pearl glass. Look for frames that depict the look to house your artwork.

Lighting: no art nouveau interior design would be complete without a Tiffany lamp like the one shown below. Constructed from a bronze base the Tiffany lamps have an umbrella shaped shade, made from spectacularly, interesting stained glass.