Art Deco Designers in France

France was at the forefront of the Art Deco style for a number of years. Jacques Emile Ruhlmann in furniture, Jean Puiforcat in silver and Jean Dunand in lacquer work were leading designers at this time. Rene Lalique a glass worker and Paul Poiret a jeweler created beautiful pieces in the Art Deco Style.  

If you go to http://www.ruhlmann.info/interiors.php/t,Interiors you can view interiors designed by Jacques Emile Ruhlmann. There are also links to his furniture designs. 

The rooms of Ruhluman at the Paris exhibition of 1925 are brilliant examples of French Art Deco architecture. Rene Lalique created a shining example of Art Deco on the French luxury liner Normandie with his lighting and décor in the grand salon. 

Ruhlmann used rare materials lizard skin, shagreen (sharkskin or galuchet), and ivory, tortoiseshell and exotic hardwoods. He created classically inspired interiors and furniture with Empire style features such as tapered fluted legs, drum shaped tables. He also used thin ivory inlays and delicate ivory caps (sabots) covered the feet.

At 1925 Paris exhibition the chairs placed in his dining room were based on the 18^th century gondola type. He used boldly patterned wallpaper, a huge chandelier, classical detailing including; entablature as a cornice.  Other French designers were Andre Groult and Paul Iribe. Paul designed an apartment in 1912 using 18^th century design influences.      

Groult used Louis XVI furniture and Art deco features. He created formalised baskets, garlands of flowers, tassels, ropes and feathers. At Pavillion de L’Ambassade he created a female bedroom using shagreen furniture, bombe-shaped chest of drawers and a Gondole chair upholstered in velvet. 

Eileen Gray designed Suzanne Talbot’s apartment in 1920. She used animal skins, upholstered an armchair in salmon pink with the two front legs modeled as two rearing serpents, a piroque (canoe) sofa in patinated bronze lacquer with silver-leaf decoration. The brick wall leading to the bedroom was lacquered. 

She went on the open a shop to sell her hand made rugs and lacquer-work screens. In the late 1920’s she moved away from her highly decorative Art Deco work to embrace the Modern Movement using tubular steel, glass and timber furniture.

Unlike Eileen many Art Deco designers opposed the modern movement saying it neglected individuality and the decorative aspect of interior design.

Art Deco Link 2 King Tut

The term Art Deco was coined to describe a style of interior design, architecture, textiles, ceramics and jewellery. Art Deco came to prominence in Paris at the 1925 Exposition Internationle des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes. The Art Deco period started in the early 1920’s and continued to be in fashion well into the 1930’s.

Characteristics of the style include symmetrical design with simple clean lines, sharp edges and stylishness. The words elegant, sophisticated and luxurious are words often used. Strong colours and straight designs were used as a reaction to the gentle pastel colours and flowing curving lines of the Art Nouveau. Chrome, enamel and highly polished stone were hallmarks of the era.

The motifs and patterns

• Straight lines

• Geometric shapes

• Abstract patterns

• Egyptian scarab

• Sun Motifs

• Stepped ziggurat shapes

• Fan shapes

• Aztec symbols

• Stylised flowers

• Sunrise motif

• Egyptian

• Cubism forms

 

Ancient Egyptian, Greek and classical patterns and motifs are also characteristic of Art Deco. The discovery and opening of Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922 by Howard Carter brought Egyptian themes into vogue. Other influences were the Ballets Russes and Cubism. However designs, motifs and colours did vary between countries and the decades of the era.

The colours 

• Chocolate Brown

• Black

• Cream

• Pale Yellow

• Red

• White on White

• Buff

• Beige

• Coffee

• Pink

• Pastel blue

• Pastel pink

• Pale green

• Exposition des Arts Decoratifs Paris 1925 colours                                                         

Ultramarine

Sea green

Deep blue

Turmeric yellow

Black

Crimson

Burnt orange

Hot pink  

France started out as the center of the Art Deco movement. As mass production of Art Deco objects increased the people of the US embraced the style and became a dominant force and leaders of the Art Deco movement. Art Deco started to declined after 1935 but enjoyed a revival in the 1960s and 1970s. Some say we will see a revival of the Art Deco style in the 2000’s

“Great designs are not accomplished 

without enthusiasm of some sort; 

it is the inspiration of everything great”

Christian Nestell

Bendigo city renown for Victorian architecture has an unexpected modern gem

I was very excited and proud to get this news; two Bendigo design projects have reached the finals of the Premier’s Design Awards for 2010. The Bendigo Bank’s ‘Bendigo Center’ and the Bendigo Art Gallery’s ‘Golden Age of Couture’.

This is a great achievement for a small regional city in the center of Victoria.

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank’s new headquarters, The Bendigo Centre, was officially opened by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in 2008. The building houses offices, shops and cafes. About 1,000 Bendigo Bank staff work in the 5 Green Star building. It is one of the first to be built in a regional city.

Many Green Features

A number of environmental features and benefits have been included by the designers of the building. The green features include under-floor air conditioning, solar panels to reduce black power usage and exterior sunshades to reduce heat.

It is estimated the building will consume less than half the energy of a typical office building. Cut greenhouse gas emissions by 820 tonnes each year - the equivalent of removing 190 cars from Bendigo’s roads.

Water Conservation
Another important feature is the water conservation water-efficient fixtures and fittings and a recycling water plant treat all black and greywater to Grade A standard for toilet flushing to ensure minimal use. The surplus recycled water will be distributed throughout the Bendigo community and for garden use. Rainwater is collected from the roof area, filtered, stored and reused in the drip-fed irrigation system that supplies the landscaped gardens at the front of the building.

Under -Floor Displacement Air Conditioning
One of the first large-scale applications of under-floor displacement air conditioning in Australia has been include in the design. This system provides fresh, clean air at a low pressure with individual vent controls at every workstation. The result is 50% improvement in fresh air rates by Australian standards and ensures increased staff health, effectiveness and productivity.

Community Focus
Bendigo Bank started its life as a building society in the Victorian gold rush of 1800’s. From the start the philosophy of the company has been to help the community. Many gold widows were left in Bendigo during the gold mining period. Men died of a miner related lung disease. The society helped families in numerous ways during this time.

The bank is also famous for the community support given to isolated communities. When other banks left an area Bendigo bank moved in to help create a community bank (run by the community) under the umbrella of the Bendigo Bank

The Bendigo Bank building has had its fair share of controversy. The ultra modern design has been felt by some to spoil the historic aspect of the city’s historic buildings. I have always preferred modern architecture but I must admit I struggled as the modern building started to emerge above the historic streetscape.

I am so impressed with the environmentally sustainable features of the building but I am still coming to terms with the clash of architectural styles. My problem is I love the building design. But it does impact on the period architecture of the city. Only time will tell; will the building eventually become accepted for what it is a building of the time.

 Frank Lloyd Wright said

“Every great architect is - necessarily - 

a great poet. 

He must be a great 

original interpreter of his time, 

his day, his age”

How to quickly identify Oriental Rugs

Rugs are a high fashion and popular interior decorating item. However people are sometimes confused about which Oriental rug is which.   

In this blog I will give a brief outline of each design with an illustration of the different rug design layouts and an example of each.

I have written an article called ‘Which Oriental rug is which? Find out which Oriental rug is which and which rug would best suit your interior style’  

For those of you who may be visiting this blog from the article link I have created a interior decorating scheme on the Sample Board Online website. I have included this to give you an idea of what I mean about using rugs to work with a particular style of decor. Please see the example below

 
In the article I outline five different Oriental rug designs; Persian, Turkish, Turkoman, Caucasian and Chinese. I go into a bit more detail in the article.

How to recognise a Persian rug

Medallion in center

Curvilinear floral designs

Vases

Birds

Mostly wool

How to recognise a Turkish rug

Made from wool on wool

Or wool on cotton

Or silk on silk

Altar designs

Tulips

Come in reds and greens

How to recognise a Caucasian rug

Geometric figures

Men

Birds

Animals

Come in dark red colours

Turkoman rugs have rows of rectilinear octagons and come in a range of dark reddish browns. 

How to recognise a Turkoman rug

Rows of rectangular octagons

Dark reddish brown colours

Chinese rugs are decorated with Chinese symbols, cloud bands, flowers, animals and birds. Simple classic circular medallions are usually placed in the center with a wide plain border. 

How to recognise a Chinese rug

Circular medallion usually in center

Chinese symbols

Clouds bands

Birds

Flowers

Animals

Thick luxurious feel

If you would like to read the full article just follow this link http://www.articlesbase.com/interior-design-articles/which-oriental-rug-is-which-find-out-which-oriental-rug-is-which-and-which-rug-would-best-suit-your-interior-style-2334798.html

Aussie Federation & Art Nouveau

Until the late 1800’s Australia followed the architectural and interior styles of Europe. English style was particularly popular. As the new country moved toward Federation Australian designers started to move away from these old influences. As a result the Art Nouveau designs of Europe did not impact on Australia as did the styles of the past.     

During the early 1900’s Australia celebrated Federation. As a result the Federation style became popular as Australia’s first unique style. The Federation era began in the late 1890’s and was influenced by Victorian and Edwardian styles. 

But the exciting Art Nouveau motifs were used in the detailing of some Federation buildings. Robert Joseph Haddon an English trained architect was one of the few to work in the Art Nouveau style in Australia. ‘Anselm’ his own home in Caulfield Melbourne contains wave like tiles in the Art Nouveau style in the bathroom and he applied the sinuous Art Nouveau lines to the outside brickwork. Others used the stylised floral forms of Art Nouveau with the Australian Waratah, flannel flower, lyre birds, emus and kangaroo motifs. 

The Outside of the Federation House 
Bold red brick walls  
Tuck pointing
Marseilles tiled roof
Bay windows 
Casement windows 
Turrets 
Towers  
Verandahs
                Turned timber columns
                Brackets 
                Finials with Australian decorative motifs 

The Interior Design of the Federation House

Australian motifs were used on interior timber work and the stenciling on interior walls

Stained glass: Art Nouveau motifs Australian native flora and fauna motifs

Interior walls  
Paint:   Soft muted greens, Ivories, Reds 

Ceilings  
         Plastered  
        Cornices plastered  
        Ceiling roses  
        Pressed metal ceilings 

Wallpaper or stencil  
        Formal wreaths patterns
        Fleur-de-lis of the French Empire style 
        Stylised floral forms of Art Nouveau 

Frieze up to a meter deep

Federation Motifs 

Australian motifs  
        Waratah 
        Flannel flower 
        Lyre birds 
        Emus  
        Kangaroo  

Classical patterns  
Oval shapes of the Adams style 

Fireplace  
Iridescent glazed Art Nouveau tiles  
Shaped timber surrounds and mantel pieces 
Mirror incorporated into the design

Windows treatments 
Lace  
Plain and fancy nets 
Chintz or plain material  
Scrim 
Muslin 
Brass rods  
Holland blinds with lace scalloped edges or inserts    
Elaborate heavy curtains used until 1920’s

Floors 
Timber floors  - Varnish or black Japan formed borders  

Carpet squares 
Rugs  
Stair runners 
        Persian patterns  
        Floral motifs  
        Bold coloured backgrounds  

Fitted carpet had gone out of vogue  

Terracotta tiles 
Patterned tessellated tiles  
Linoleum 
        In plain colours
        Imitation carpet designs
        Tiles designs 

Parquetry designs 

 

Furniture in the Federation House 
Queen Anne (one of the most reproduced styles in Australia)
Chippendale  
Sheraton 
Rococo 
Renaissance 
Oriental cane  
Bentwood  
The Wing chair 
Palms  
Exotic plants  
Brass pots 
Ceramic pots  
Pot stands 

Australian designers created fretwork, leadlight, tiles, fabrics, wallpapers and decorative detailing in the Art Nouveau style but used the unique Australian motifs. Interior spaces were often decorated with a meter deep frieze. During this time the dado went out of fashion. Walls were often papered or stenciled. Pastel colours were popular for walls. The architectural detailing was brown and cream or stained timber.

There are a number of Art Nouveau buildings in Australia. In Melbourne: Victoria Arts Society, Milton House, Melbourne Sports Depot, Melbourne City Baths, Conservitorium of Music, Melba Hall, Paston Building and the Empire Works Building are some of the examples in Australia

The Wild Art Tile Company has a great range of Art Nouveau tile murals. This Australian firm has designed a range of murals based on the art work of Alphonse Mucha. You can find the tiles at http://www.wildarttiles.com/page18.htm

The Australian artist Christian Waller worked as an illustrator in the 1920’s. She was inspired by classical, medieval, Pre-Raphaelite and Art Nouveau design. In the 1930’s her work changed, she moved from using the curvilinear of Art Nouveau to the angular forms, sunrays and zigzags of the Art Deco. 

During this time she designed books and stained glass windows for Melbourne and Geelong churches. She also created a mural for the Christ Church in Geelong. She was one of the few Australian artist at the time to be influenced by the Art Nouveau movement. 

‘Wherever you are in the world, 

there's always something 

about the Australian light. 

There's something about the 

sharpness of it, something about

the clarity of it, something 

about the colours of Australia.

And hopefully, something 

optimistic about Australian painting too.’

Ken Done Artist

Charles Rennie Mackintosh Stood on the Cusp of Art Nouveau and Art Deco

One of my favorite designers Charles Rennie Mackintosh stood on the cusp of Art Nouveau and Art Deco. I was fortunate to see an exhibition of his work last year in Australia. He was a very influential Scottish architect who had in turn been influenced by the designs of C.F. A. Voysey.

Voysey designed houses, wallpaper, textiles, carpets and furniture in the Art and Craft style. Mackintosh was to follow the same path. Charles had shown his work at the exhibition of 1895 in Paris. He had a great influence on German design particularly August Endell. His influence can been see in the Buntes Theater in Berlin where geometric forms were used.

Rennie Mackintosh was known as an interior designer during his life time. He worked with his wife Margaret Macdonald her sister Frances and Herbert McNair and they became known as The Four. Macintosh created tea rooms for Catherine Cranston in Glasgow. The Buchanan Street Tea Rooms were in the Art and Craft style. The Ingram Street Tea Room was in his own unique style. The furniture was painted white.

His interiors were bold in contrast. In his Main Street dining room he used wrapping paper in dull brown on the walls. The high backed chairs were stained oak. The ceiling and the wall above the picture rail were painted white in stark contrast.

The drawing room had white floor coverings, walls and furniture. He used white enamel paint on the furniture to ensure the joints and grains of the timber did not distract from the sculptural forms of the pieces. The windows were covered with muslin stretched to ensure maximum light and privacy.

What I love about Mackintosh; he worked from the inside out. He spent time with his clients to find out how they lived before he ventured toward creating a design. He followed this method in his design for Hill House (1901) in Helensburgh. White dominates the interior spaces.

He used stencils to create designs of pink roses and used rose coloured glass. Geometric forms were used in the door, window glass and shutters. His furniture was boxlike and linear. The famous Willow Tea Rooms built in 1904 had lead light windows with some mirror glass and he introduced silver high-backed chairs.

One of his greatest achievements; is the Library of the Glasgow School of Design. He suspended the bookshop over the ground floor of the library with steel strips. He did this to provide floor space on the ground floor. Exposed timber beams and lighting were used. The space appears larger than it is due to his great design flare.

The sad irony is Mackintosh was ignored in Britain during his life time. Yet he was admired throughout the rest of Europe as a master of his craft. I have always had a soft spot for Mackintosh. My husband and his family lived just up the road from Hill House. His mother told me some wonderful stories about the family who owned the house. She would often visit the Willow Tea Rooms in Glasgow. I was amazed to find she did not share my admiration for Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

"  Life is the leaves which shape
and nourish a plant, 

but art is the flower 
which embodies its meaning."

Charles Rennie Mackintosh