„Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.” This phrase became proverbial is the main principle of William Morris.
William Morris (1834-1896) was the leader of Arts and Crafts movement. One of the greatest British designer who created among others patterns for wallpapers, wall carpets, embroideries, fabrics and tiles, but he also designed and produced furniture and stained glass objects. The essence of the movement was to create value by bringing back the golden age of craftsmanship, opposed to mechanized mass production. In case of fabrics, he revived the vegetable dyeing techniques. The patterns he designed can be recognized immediately by their bright colors, they are rich and faithfully mimic the flora and fauna as well. He often drew inspiration from the art of the middle ages and the Arthurian legendary.
With his wife, in 1860 they moved to the “Red House” designed for them by Philipp Webb. There he could create and in addition to, he decorated and arranged their home also. The house has slowly filled by his different arts. In 1861 along with some of his friends, he established Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Co. company, which is still alive today under the name Morris & Co. Fabrics and wallpapers marked with his name still can be ordered, they can be a real focus point of our homes.
These patterns are very powerful, they are leading motifs in an interior. If you are impressed by this art and would like to admire it every day in your home, but you are uncertain because of the strong colors, ask help from an interior designer.
Archives
Floral fabrics
Inspiration 4.
Mouldings and others
Inspiration 3.
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Blue
From all colors, blue is the most popular. Most people mention it as favorite color. Blue is an elementary color, its complementary is orange.
As a physiological effect, it decreases blood pressure and pulse. Calms, cools, makes you meditate and decreases appetite. We associate to sky, water, air by it – therefore it gives a light feeling. In symbolism, intelligence, loyalty, hope, truth, cleanness and heaven are associated to it. Helps to creativity and perspicacity.
Blue is a cold color. In interior design, its light tones increase the space, make the room ethereal. Dark hues provide seriousness, stability and value. Use the warmer hues in North oriented rooms, else it can be felt too rigid without direct sunlight. In case of any other orientation, it can be ideal color for bedroom, living room, bathroom, or even for hall. Since blue is not a food color, use carefully in dining room and kitchen. Combined with white, beige and brown, it results a classic, elegant interior. Otherwise it cannot be overdosed. Wall or furniture can be blue, but in several cases both, if the hues are selected properly.
Feng shui assigns light blue hues to wood, dark hues to water element. Blue is the color of Jin, the female side. It belongs to the 5th chakra (throat).
It is frequently used in business life. People wearing dark blue suit are considered to be reliable. In logos of renowned companies, blue is the most common color.
Different hues of blue are hard to combine, because green and purple tones are incompatible. For implementing a real cozy blue interior, ask for help from a color advisor.
Useful accessories 1.
Chinoiserie
Chinoiserie style was very popular in Europe in the XVIII. century. By the vivid trading activities with the East, at the early XVII. century a large amount of furniture, usage- and ornamentical objects, silk arrived to the continent. The fashion of chinoiserie has spread in France thanks to Madame Pompadour (1721-1764). As a mistress of the king, she defined the fashion and most of the orders are placed by her also. In England, the style got known by the drawings and plans of Thomas Chippendale (1718-1779), who was a brilliant designer and furniture maker.
Chinoiserie style appeared as a part of rococo. The porcelain from China has always held in high esteem, because its price, they took place in the interiors of the aristocrats. In 1709, the secret of manufacturing porcelain has been deciphered, since that time, the Chinese pieces could been copied. Main characteristics of the furnitures of the style was lacqering technique. This was a time consuming procedure, even 30-50-100 layers cover a piece. Black, red and green lacquers were the most popular. The best replica was Vernis Martin, but not as good as the original. Often applied with golden decorations for higher contrast. In Europe the wallpaper was also a novelty, till then only painting or upholstery covered the walls. Main motives of chinoiserie style are birds (parrots and cranes), dragons, monkeys, grids, flowery branches, chinese genres and landscapes as the central decorations of furnitures. The pierced-backed chair became popular such as the pagoda like structures on beds and vardrobes, the rice paper covered paravan and the bamboo-like carvings.
From these features an interior designer easily can create an interior that fits to the present taste, providing classic and elegant solution for the nowadays popular oriental style.
