Art Nouveau style in the interior of a modern house

One of the most recognizable remains the Art Nouveau style in the interior, but the name is often used to refer to some modern solutions. The confusion is connected with the translation of the name “modern”, and it really was “modern” at the time of its formation – at the turn of the 19th-20th centuries. This is an extensive trend in art that emerged as an alternative to the classics and eclecticism that reigned in the years of “pre-modernism”. And for more than a century, his concept has been in demand in the design of interiors and in architecture. The canons of postmodernism dominate in contemporary painting. Having mastered its principles, it is easy to independently create an organic interior of a house in the Art Nouveau style, which will not lose its relevance even after a decade..

Art Nouveau interior design idea

The interior of the apartment in the modern style

Modern room design in modern style

Modern style in the interior: what is it

Applied art in decoration, soft palette, extravagant furniture, smooth lines flowing from one object to another – a business card of a unique style and all its varieties. Modernity in interior design was enthusiastically picked up in many European countries, it came to America and Russia, slightly different in means of expression. It willingly introduced new technologies and materials to highlight the merits of a new approach in architecture and interior decoration..

“Modern” originated in Britain, but “modern” innovative style was quickly picked up in France, where it received its reinterpretation as “Art Nouveau”. Then there were “Jugend-calm” – in Germany, in Spain – “Liberty”. The style of “decline and uplift”, as critics dubbed it, received a new breath as “Russian modernism”, thanks to Moscow architects and St. Petersburg artists.

In America it is better known as the “Tiffany” style, in Austria as the “secession”, the “New Kunst” became the Dutch version, and even in Europe it is known as the “fir” style – as it was called in Switzerland. All of these varieties are similar and recognizable. They contain the destruction of classical stereotypes, novelty and versatility of solutions without a clear framework..

Modern style in the interior of the apartment

Art Nouveau apartment design

Modernism in interior design – lines borrowed from the fluttering banner and O. Hermann’s “Blow of the whip” from embroidery exhibited at many European exhibitions of decorative and applied arts. It is also erotic fantasies about the curves of a young female body with long curly strands of long hair. Such patterns are appropriate in a bedroom with a modernist finish. Once all this was perceived in Puritan Europe as something daring, bold and revolutionary. Later, this concept became the most popular in the design of premises with different functionality. Today they make out like this:

Country houses.
City apartments;
Loft apartments of the “luxury” class;
Expensive restaurants and cafes;
Large hotels;
Small private hotels.

At the beginning of the twentieth century, it was something akin to the current avant-garde, high-tech or futurism – the active use of metal structures, glass and concrete. But in those days, preference was given to soft flexible lines and smooth outlines. Interiors of modernism without symmetry and right angles, in which one feels a tribute to natural lines, quickly found many adherents. Some eminent architects, decorators and designers began to specialize only in this direction. Many examples are reflected in the films – the events unfolded against the backdrop of decorations in the spirit of modernism.

Art Nouveau interior design idea

The interior of the apartment in the modern style

Modern room design in modern style

Characteristic features of stylistics

Refinement, laconicism and sophistication, borrowed from some historical styles, found a new embodiment through Art Nouveau in the interior. A clear gravitation towards streamlined forms and beautifully outlined lines, borrowed from nature. They are transformed into forged lattices and glass stained-glass windows, in paintings and engravings. They feature the outlines of a wave crest, water lilies and curved lizard tails. This is a special aesthetics of sophistication of living forms and shades of withering plants and flowers. Perhaps there is also a certain line between reality and the subtle worlds, life and death – through the birth of something new.

Indispensable attributes of the style of modern Art Nouveau in the interior:

unity of architecture and interior decoration;
the lines of forged staircases echo with furniture and decor;
drawings on stained-glass windows and interior door inserts;
wide use of colored glass, including partitions for zoning;
floral ornament in wallpaper and wall painting;
intricate metal lamps with unusual shades;
graphics, sculpture, arts and crafts as a search for new means of expressing artistic taste and special aesthetics;
nobility of outlines, the choice of special accessories and textiles that organically fit into the overall concept, not being separate emotional elements.

Modern style in the interior of the apartment

Art Nouveau apartment design

Today the interior in the Art Nouveau style is almost a modern “classic” of the twentieth century. The positive thing about self-design of rooms is that you can find everything ready for sale. There are many catalogs offering ready-made furniture, doors, stained glass, forging for stair railings, lamps and floor mats specifically for this style. It remains to buy the right elements for each room with a design in the spirit of modernity.

The same canons can be traced in other areas of decorative and applied art, since it had a powerful influence on the culture and aesthetics of the last century. The stylistics continues to be reformed by specialists in our time, as new finishing materials and technologies are proposed that are also acceptable for interior design in the Art Nouveau style..

Art Nouveau interior design idea

The interior of the apartment in the modern style

Modern room design in modern style

Materials and colors traditional for Art Nouveau

Glass and metal in the form of stained glass compositions are typical for the interior of a room in the Art Nouveau style. They safely replace not only windows and sliding doors, but entire walls..
Forged lattices – it is also a characteristic component, they are acceptable in furniture, partitions for zoning, flights of stairs (as ornate railings).
Non-ferrous metals are used, painting and spraying on forging is possible.
Wood, stone and other natural materials are widely used.
Much attention is paid to the design of the floor – tiles, marble and parquet are inserted with rosettes in the center and frames at the edges, asymmetry of the pattern is welcome.
A glossy self-leveling floor is recommended over tiles and other patterned surfaces – for a seamless effect and greater light reflection.
Wall decoration is monochromatic or patterned, depending on the design solution and the overall balance. In preference, wallpaper of any type, textured plaster and painting.
In the color scheme, preference is for beautiful soft shades as the main background plus contrasting combinations, small inserts and spectacular decor elements.

For the interior of rooms in the Art Nouveau style, the following colors and shades are used.

1. Main color or background	2.Linear contrast	3. Complementary colors
White	Black	Yellow
Lactic	Granite	Pink
Lemon (pale)	Graphite	Red
Pearl gray	Chocolate	Green
Light lilac	Dark purple	Aquamarine
Blue	Anthracite	Brown
Light beige	Navy blue	Purple
Pink	Wenge wood color	Silver and gold

Wood of any shade is used for both modernist furniture and skillful decoration of rooms..

Modern style in the interior of the apartment

Art Nouveau apartment design

Recommendations for the design of functional rooms

Art Nouveau style in a modern interior is able to most organically combine all elements of architecture, planning and zoning through the harmony of decoration and decor. Nothing “falls out” of the general concept, therefore, when self-designing a house, you need a visualization of the idea or a preliminary sketch. This approach will help to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of the design of individual rooms or functional areas. Some of the decor elements are recommended to be duplicated, for example, in the inserts of interior doors of adjacent rooms and stained glass partitions.

Tip: The aesthetics of “decline and elevation” organically fit into residential and non-residential buildings, and is well perceived in the interior decoration of rooms. Upon completion of the repair, place an order for doors with stained-glass windows in the Art Nouveau style, they will become a “visiting card” of recognizable stylization. Also, do not skimp on forging in the railing of stairwells, on ornate patterns and graphics that decorate the walls..

Experts recommend choosing elements where the lines characteristic of modernism are clearly traced..

When buying a bed for the bedroom, pay attention to the wide double models with forging on the headboard. They are in catalogs offering products for this style. Often, furniture manufactures exhibit samples of sets with a bench and a bedside table for general decor. If you cannot do without a wardrobe, then pick up a “compartment”, where the sliding doors are decorated with frosted glass and an exquisite pattern that emphasizes the choice of this style.

Suitable furniture is half the battle, it remains to choose a soft rug with a pattern that duplicates the soft forging lines of the purchased bed, plus textiles that match the shade and pattern. The beautiful windows of the bedroom should not be tightly curtained – light monochromatic tulle will complement the decoration. It is better to sew the curtains yourself by adding a blanket made of common curtain fabric. Those who do not know how to sew – it is easier to order the entire ensemble in the salon according to the proposed sample. Modern welcomes garters, folds and draperies of curtains, multi-layered asymmetric lambrequins on graceful cornices.

Art Nouveau interior design idea

The interior of the apartment in the modern style

Modern room design in modern style

As a background for the walls of the bedroom, soft colors are preferred that do not overload the perception:

milky or pale yellow;
caramel and sandy shades;
pinkish beige and delicate peach;
light lilac tone;
pearl and ash.

The Art Nouveau bedroom design will be completed by a nude painting. The general aura of personal space will help to fill the “mystical” light with original lamps made in bronze or gilding.

Tip: Choose wall sconces on either side of the bed, a full-length floor lamp by the mirror, and a luxurious floral chandelier. It is better to choose them according to the catalog of lighting devices. Soft flowing light should emphasize soft pastel colors with dark contrasting inserts and ornate patterns.

The living room is the main room that sets the general tone and color scheme of the apartment in a modern style. In the room for receiving guests, it is worth spending money on the design of the floor, where the graceful lines inherent in the style are made out with the help of:

self-leveling polymer floor with a pattern;
“Marble” tiles made of porcelain stoneware in the form of a multicolor rosette;
mosaic parquet with classical or original installation;
expensive laminate with wood decor, laying it out with a linear frame around the edges and a single insert in the center;
linoleum on insulation with a characteristic pattern.

What will decorate the walls of the house in the Art Nouveau style is not so important, it is only a background or a basis for the rich decoration of the living room. Functional zoning with spectacular glass and metal partitions is appropriate. Modern household appliances and equipment fit well into postmodern houses, but they should be “lost” among the design, so as not to unduly attract attention, as in the photo.

Modern style in the interior of the apartment

Art Nouveau apartment design

If you prefer soft sofas and armchairs with variegated upholstery, then textured plaster, wall painting or wallpaper is better than plain colors. Textile rolls or paper rolls with graphic patterns – for plain furniture and curtains. Upholstery and curtain materials should look luxurious and expensive, regardless of the real cost, for example, golden satin or furniture brocade, colored tapestry or plain jacquard with overflows.

Tip: The ceiling should not be overloaded with decor if it is abundant on the floor and walls, in stained-glass windows and doors. Everything in the living room should be in harmony and surprise with exquisite taste..

The hallway should be spacious, but if there is not enough space, you will have to visually enlarge it with a mirrored wall and well-chosen lighting. Much attention is paid to the entrance and interior doors, which are expensive and effective. A metal hanger, a shelf for shoes and a bench with forging – in preference, their appearance leaves the impression of a weightless cobweb on thin curved legs.

As in the bedroom, it is better to choose from the catalog a set for the hallway in a characteristic style, so as not to engage in the selection of something that may bite into the overall concept. There is no place for impersonal geometry and primitive forms, even poufs and banquettes for hallways should have a noticeable artistic intention..

Art Nouveau interior design idea

The interior of the apartment in the modern style

Modern room design in modern style

For cladding, you should choose stone, Italian or Spanish floor tiles with characteristic patterns. If there are enough of them, then the walls and ceilings should be monochromatic, up to simple painting. On the smooth texture, the reflections of lighting fixtures with a design imitating the French Art Nouveau of the early twentieth century – “Art Nouveau”.

For a bathroom or a toilet, the overall decor in the Art Nouveau style should be more modest than in living quarters, although it should remain a logical continuation of the whole concept. The main tank is in the spotlight, especially if it’s not just a bathtub, but a small mini-pool with a podium. This is typical of European postmodernism in its modern incarnation..

The bathroom is not like an ordinary city bathroom – the plumbing is disguised as furniture. Curtains and large lamps with closed shades are appropriate, where water does not enter. The furnishings in the hygiene room will be complemented by a comfortable armchair at the dressing table, all items made of practical washable materials.

The real indicator of the culture of everyday life is not the living room, but how the toilet and bathroom are finished. Hanging shelves and cabinets are selected with characteristic stained glass inserts. The shower area with a tray is separated by a partition with frosted or sandblasted glass. The main decoration is a mosaic, a decorative panel made of broken tiles, border inserts or a beautiful plinth.

Attention: When choosing floor tiles, buy with a rough texture so that it is not slippery when leaving the bath or shower. Safety is more important than beauty and gloss. It is better to somehow show the refined taste in decoration and the special preferences of the owners of the house..

When Art Nouveau dominates the interior, the nursery is decorated in the same spirit. It is important to show a sense of proportion without breaking the plan. A calm range and sophistication of lines, a choice of natural materials and variations on the theme of nature are welcome..

Modern style in the interior of the apartment

Art Nouveau apartment design

For general harmony, experts suggest painting the wall with flying butterflies, elves and fairies with dragonfly wings leading into the open gates of a fairyland. Light carved partitions for zoning, spectacular curtains and lamps, a “grass” rug are appropriate. The Little Princess’s Art Nouveau room is a delightful fairy tale at home.

The “modernism” of the kitchen is in the characteristic elements, but the zoning without symmetry can be clearly traced. Built-in appliances do not have to be hidden if their appearance is perfectly combined with the facade of the kitchen set. Furniture set facades – any color listed in the table. Preference is given to wooden cabinets with stained glass inserts. Particular attention is paid to lamps and utensils – this is the main decoration of the place for eating. Curtains and tablecloths are selected from natural materials (without oilcloth), with a pattern, perforation or handmade lace.

More inspiring examples – in our photo gallery.