Art Nouveau in the interior, features and inspiration

One of the most popular artistic styles is undoubtedly the Secession. You may know it as Art Nouveau, and it reached its peak in the years 1880 to 1919. If you have grown tired of the Italian or French style of home decor, now is the time to decorate your interior in this artistic and ornamental style, which Art Nouveau handles with ease.

A fashionable style

Art Nouveau opened the door to a lifestyle that, in its day, perhaps absolutely everyone wanted. At first, it was the name of a protest movement of various modern artists. And what were they striving for? A new and unconventional form of expression. Looking at Art Nouveau, you may think of Egon Schiele or the master Gustav Klimt. With him in particular, you may recall the famous painting The Kiss, which invites you not only to visit but also to relax. After all, Vienna truly lived and breathed Art Nouveau, and to this day it is the most widely represented style there.

But Spain did not lag behind either. Antoni Gaudí became famous for many buildings. Among the most interesting and also the most mysterious is the Art Nouveau Casa Batlló house. And why mysterious? Who would willingly have a balcony made that resembles skulls and bones?!

We were not left behind either. Josef Fanta created the beautiful facade of Prague Main Station. Another marvel is the Municipal House in Prague, designed by Antonín Balšánek and Osvald Polívka.

Elements of Art Nouveau

The most interesting and also best-known features of this “gilded” art movement certainly include:

• decorativeness
• plant motifs
• transparency
• curves
• lines

How to create the best Art Nouveau home?

If you do not live in a villa built in this diverse yet fascinating period, do not despair. You too can adapt your home to this style.

The best colours

The most suitable colours for decorating your walls are shades of yellow, blue, green, black and white. Yellow is seen as the colour of matter, the colour of the sun and life. Blue and green may remind you of the good old Victorian era. Black and white are a mix of hope and a messenger of the spirit.

Do not be afraid to combine colours in different ways. Paint one wall in bright yellow and the opposite one in white. Nor should we forget various wallpaper patterns, which will enhance the space further and bring it closer to Art Nouveau. Ornamental symbols, linearity and the use of natural shapes such as leaves, tulips or irises will be impossible to overlook.

What we walk on

The floor is best covered with ornamental tiles. If you have parquet flooring, do not despair, just have it polished and you will see that it looks great. As for rugs, try to choose ones with an original pattern. Geometric shapes in particular will look authentic in your room.

Furniture

Give preference to furniture made of wood, glass or metal. Stained wood looks really lovely, as do creamy white surfaces of sanded lacquer and small ornamental inlays of pink and purple-tinted glass, mother-of-pearl or enamel.

Do not forget ornamental or floral patterns

The most popular furniture in the Art Nouveau style includes:

• folding screens
• armchairs, rocking chairs
• chairs (nothing beats Thonet)
• chests of drawers
• bar tables
• sofas
• lamps and luxurious fabrics

Remember that furniture in this style was also interesting because it moved towards welded arches and elegantly swelling backs, for example on chairs. Even at that time, it was a work of art. As for the various fabrics covering Art Nouveau furniture, choose robust and luxurious ones. That means brocade, leather, linen and even velvet. Nor should we forget wooden sculptures, which give the whole interior just the right Art Nouveau touch.

Art Nouveau still attracts people today. It is refined and very elegant. Be sure to visit its landmarks. At the very least, it is an ideal tip for when you are bored.