Art Nouveau Movement
Art Nouveau
Victor Horta - Tassel Family Home, Brussels - 1893
Source: lacqueredlife.com/the-great-ascent/
The Art Nouveau movement is one of the most and perhaps even THE most easily recognizable of all design movements. This style has it’s own unique and very distinctive design features and vocabulary. However, the Rococo and Gothic influences can be observed in the Art Nouveau Movement.
The style first emerge in Belgium but rapidly spread across Europe, notably France and Spain. Most people would recognize the famous subway station the “Metropolitain” in Paris designed by Hector Guimard in 1900 and the work of Antoni Gaudi throughout Barcelona. In all cases, the Art Nouveau designs are truly memorable and leave no one indifferent.
Above is the hallway and staircase of the Tassel Family Home designed in 1893 by Victor Horta. It is a perfect example of the Art Nouveau Movement and features the key characteristics of the style. Here is what to look for:
Organic
Asymmetrical and curvilinear shapes
Motifs inspired by Nature and Feminine forms
The key motifs are as follow:
Tendrils & Vines
Stylized Floral patterns
Botanic forms
Flowing Hair and Ornament
Whiplashes Curves
The colours are often luminescent and intense pastel, in this case the Salmon and orange colours dominate. Wood is typically of finer grain and lighter tone and the overall feel is light and delicate.
In this interior, the walls and floors wildly displays the whiplash curves giving it its distinctive Art Nouveau style.
Modern Art Nouveau Interior
Source:
www.modenus.com/blog/architectural-projects/stairway-to-heaven-modern-staircases-as-focal-point
In this modern interior, the Art Nouveau influence is evident. It is the organic curves and natural flow that makes this staircase a real modern Art Nouveau statement piece. First, we can observe the baseboard trim transforming into the curvilinear pattern on the wall. Secondly, the stair fence is quite remarkable. Each stair tread is cleverly joined with its stair post into a curvilinear form making a direct connection with the movement. Additionally, we can observe the many curved forms on the walls. Finally the choice of a lighter and finer grain for the wood is similar to the one use in the Art Nouveau movement.
I personally love this modern application of the Art Nouveau style for this interior. It is quite a cleaver way to modernize the style and it completely works. It is a definite statement piece and stands out, but I found it to be more restrained and subtle compare to the original style as the curves are restrain around the staircase. I believe keeping the walls and floor quite plain and uniform was the key to achieve in modern look. It is a great example and very inspiring for future design ideas.
So that was my last post for this History of Design course and it is near the end of my First Year as an Interior Design Student! The year went by so fast! I really enjoyed this course and learned so much. So mush so, that I might be keeping this blog up and running as it is a great way to synthesize information. I will also try to turn this website into a Portfolio during the summer. Exciting!
Thanks for reading and Happy Easter Weekend!