Antique-vintage-retro

Jul16

The following three words are commonly used in interior design and related books. Sometimes still it’s not obvious when to use which.
Antique: marker of furniture, objects of art, or artisanship older than 100 years, independently of style. Its age, originality, condition, the manufacturer and rarity is important for collectors (full collection in case of a set). A restoration gives them back their original pomp.
Vintage: marker of objects that are younger than 100 but older than 15 years, concerning rather to their condition than age. It is a classification of strongly used, shabby surfaced furniture and household objects which marks even a style. It means rethought, reused, modified/renewed objects also. Giving vintage look to a new object is a distinct genre. It is not equivalent with the shabby chic style.
Retro: marker of household and decoration objects of years from the 50s to (presently) the 80s. Their age is old „only”. It is also a marker of objects that are new but made look like in the style or shapes of this era. Collectors are motivated by nostalgia and emotional bondage but of course originality and condition are also important. Retro has a pejorative meaning, “out of fashion”.
In case of uncertainty, ask for help of a professional dating an object.

Rococo

Jun4

Rococo came to be in France at the beginning of the 18th century and was popular until the 1780s. The origin of the name is the word rocaille which is a mix of pebbles, cement and seashells. The new style was a kind of rebellion against the rigidity of Baroque. The nobles desired more free, playful and more decorated surroundings after the death of Louis XIV. It culminated under the reign of Louis XV., in which his lover, Madame Pompadour had a great role also.
Rococo is actually a decorating style. Everything was decorated with carvings and gypsum decors, mostly gilded. There were twisty vine scrolls, flower and fruit garlands, C and S volutes, shell motifs around pictures/mirrors, on furniture (especially on console tables, commodes and tables), on the walls of the rooms and also on the ceiling. Genres came in fashion in painting which reflected the idealized thoughts and desires of the nobles about the world (e.g. A. Watteau, F. Boucher). Slightly looser themes weren’t taboos anymore at all, not only mythological figures were depicted without clothes and/or in piquant settings. Toile de Jouy pattern visualized the pastoral idyll which was „born” in that time. Chinoiserie was an important part of Rococo also which brought the far Eastern culture in the royal courts. Furniture was lacquered, decorated with painted scenes, ormolu and inlays became popular. Colors were muted, white and pastel shades were fashionable. Thanks to the formation of the European porcelain producing, miniature statues and figures appeared. These were placed on the mantelpiece or console table as decorating elements. Their theme was joy or love. There were many lace trimmings, ribbons, bows and embroideries on the clothes, powdered wigs and gloves were important accessories. The institution of salon appeared where the chosen companionship gathered and lived a vivid intellectual life. Rococo style gave a special surrounding for this.
From today’s point of view, Rococo might be a bit „too much”. However, it can be replaced into today’s interiors also with holding in the amount of gildings and decorations and handling the main features as only examples. Ask for help of an interior designer for this.

Baroque

Apr23

The name baroque comes from the word barocco (odd). This style of art history lasted from the end of 16th to the middle of 17th century.
The penetration of baroque began in the ages when the catholic church started counter-reformation. The marks of the style helped it and vice versa: the catholic church urged the evolution of the baroque because thought it to be an instrument for showing its own grandeur.
The main feature of baroque is monumentality that can be found not only in sacral architecture. The palaces of the ruling class showed this also and incarnated the absolute monarchy. The Palace of Versailles in France was built this time on the order of Louis XIV. The buildings were over-decorated: gilding, noble materials (e.g. rare type of woods, marble, gobelin), murals, volutes, rich colors. The domed solution was common. Sculpture and painting was marked by the scenic presentation of figures, allegoric portrayal, movement and vigorousness.
The high-ceilinged interiors were heated by fireplaces in winter. The canopy beds were protected by around curtains from cold. In that times it was fashionable welcoming guests abed, that way not only community spaces (salon, corridors, lobbies) but also the bedroom, which belongs to the private area was made for representation.
The techniques of veneer, intarsia, marquetry (bone, tortoiseshell, mother-of-pearl, porcelain etc.) culminated in the art of making furniture. Using ormolu decorations on his furniture made André Charles Boulle, the furniture maker of Louis XIV., world famous. The seats were already upholstered (gobelin), their backs were straight, legs were arched and carved (cabriole), the frames frequently gilded. The commode with drawers appeared this time. The standing and table clocks as decorative objects also showed their owners’ wealth.
Using baroque style requires space. If we would like to apply it nowadays, in a common interior, its glimmer and monumentality should be held in – but this is not impossible. Ask for help of an interior designer creating a classy interior.

Thousand faces of classic style

Jan29

The „classic style” terminology sometimes causes difficulties to the prospective customer, there is a situation when it directly deters him/her from using the service. This definition in public awareness is equal to beige-brown colors, huge and over-decorated furniture or heavy draperies. Classic style however has several faces and all of them can be complemented with any technical solution which provides the comfort of present times.
Historical styles definition means those trends which were specific to a certain historical era, not only in interior design but almost every aspects of life. They contain music, literature, fine arts, architecture, gardening design, fashion etc. They closely linked to each other, just like we can see in historical books. Following these, it’s not necessary to completely copy furnishing of for example a palace, for reaching the desired effect, since the scales probably are quite different now and then. It might be enough to pick two or three main features from the all and the other details should be shaped for these to get a harmonious general aspect. Some examples without limitation: ancient Roman, Renaissance, Baroque, Victorian.
Styles using special features of countries and lands can be also called classic. Commonly they evoke the chosen style with using antique objects, archaic shapes, typical colors and materials, which cannot be reflected by a modern/minimal interior (of course, there are such homes also everywhere). It’s the total effect what really matters. Some examples without limitation: Provencal, Moroccan, (any kind of) rural, seaside style.
Thematic styles, as I call, are interior design solutions which based on a theme. This can be a movie, a city or even a present popular trend. They have in common using classic tracing furniture, accessories and decoration objects, if it is possible, together with antique pieces. Colors help a lot in this case also to reach the goal. Some examples without limitation: shabby chic, steampunk, Paris, industrial style.
Modern classic style cannot be classified to the previously mentioned groups, but probably this is the most common. The bigger furniture, architectural details (mouldings, rosette, wall panel etc.), upholstery, floor coverings are all classic, but colors, accessories, decorating objects represent a more modern trend. These together make the effect sophisticated.
Don’t be afraid of the classic style term. Everybody can find the perfect one of them. Ask for help of an interior designer for implementing.

Ancient Greek and Roman style

Nov13

The antique Roman and Greek culture was not only dominant in ancient times, but it has returned several times (renaissance, classicism, neo-renaissance, neoclassicism) during the history in interior design also by architecture and arts.
The surviving buildings and household objects show that colors were chosen from neutral, natural palette thanks to the used materials: for example, the white of marble and cream color of limestone. Fabrics were dyed with paint made of herbal, animal and mineral materials. Landscapes and genres were painted directly on the walls. Seating furniture had no upholstery but cushions were already used. Architecture and sculpture served both the sacral, public and private life. Three kinds of columns were characteristic architecture elements: Doric, Ionic, Corinthian. Probably acanthus leaf, volute and meander are the most well-known among decorating motifs. Buildings were decorated with colored decorations and gilding but these wore off during centuries. Floor was frequently covered with small mosaics, floor heating was also used.
The magic of the ancient world can be smuggled into our homes fitting for today’s modern principles also. Wide range of mosaic tiles can be found among pavements. Natural stones can be purchased not only for floor tiles but wall paneling also as ultra thin stone-veneer and stone-wallpaper. Let’s use hollow faux pillars as decorating elements if they fit for the evolving of the flat/house. Furniture decorated with caryatids, antiqued metal accessories (faucets, lamps, handles etc.), white gypsum statues and amphora shaped vases can make our endeavor to this style more accented. Stay with natural combinations of beiges, whites and browns, these can be more luxurious with a tint of gold (for example, golden mosaic decoration in the bathroom). Any bright color will look good with these as additional color.
Ask for help of an interior designer for creating ancient style interior.

TV2 interview

Oct11

My interview by interior design series “Szépítők” of TV2 can be seen on this link. It starts right after the short introduction.
https://tv2.hu/musoraink/szepitok/245440_csokkentheto-a-lakashitel-osszege.html

Art Nouveau

Sep11

Art Nouveau was the art trend of the turn of 19th-20th centuries. Its name was Tiffany Style in the USA, Stile Floreale in Italy, Jugendstil in Germany, Modernismo in Spain, first Modern Style then also Art Nouveau in England. It was called Szecesszió in Hungary and Austria. Its main features are organic shapes, floral and animal motifs, asymmetry, multi-color and scrolling shapes. It used decorating elements in a big amount and had an effect on all fields of life, not only on arts. It brought the oncoming of content and form, namely form was created by starting from the function.
Applied arts worked closely with architecture and interior design. Glass art added to interior design with decorating doors and windows and making household objects (e.g. lamps, vases). L.C. Tiffany and R. Lalique are its outstanding representatives, for example. Textile makers designed and made upholstery fabrics and wallpapers (e.g. W. Morris). Zsolnay created eosin glazing in the field of ceramics. Ceramics were started to use not only indoors but for outer covering of houses also (e.g. Museum of Applied Arts in Budapest). In addition to jewelry, the goldsmiths also made furniture fittings and ornaments. Painters retreated off the noise of the town and founded colonies of artists and worked there (e.g. E. Munch, A. Mucha). Reinforced ferro-concrete appeared in architecture. Unique interiors came to the fore. Metal art appeared on public buildings also (e.g. subway exit of H. Guimard in Paris).
Some original pieces of furniture or accessories are available today also. For example, Tiffany lamps are still produced.
Ask for help of an interior designer for creating an Art Nouveau style home.

Gothic style

Mar13

Gothic style was born in France at the turn of the 13th-14th century. It was characterized by buildings bursting to the sky and light coming to the fore. Walls became thinner thanks to the herringbone quadripartite and fan-like ribs, this way, bigger windows could be built in. Elements of sacral architecture got into secular architecture, so houses and palaces followed this style also. Comfort became important, but living spaces weren’t separated yet. Board, as building block, which is the base of framed structures, appeared thanks to sawmills. Sizes of furniture rose, first wardrobes were created (chests were used as storages before). Colored glasses were put into the gothic and rose-windows which told the stories of not only saints, but kings and knights also.
The revival of Gothic style appeared in England in the 18th century and reached the top in the 19th century during the era of romanticism. It used gothic features but in an idealized way with glorification of medieval values (fidelity, faith, chivalry, courage etc.). Many castles and houses were built in this style, for example the Houses of Parliament and Tower Bridge were built in that time also. Decorating elements were adapted too: statues, laced gable, finials and gothic windows with color glasses. Not only the buildings but furniture was made thus. Dark brown wood dominated in the interiors, heavier fabrics were used for upholstering (leather, velvet) and other colors were darker hues also (claret, dark green, dark blue). Niches were re-created by using wallpapers which was a much cheaper solution.
Nowadays Gothic style appears in Goth/gothic form which also uses dark colors (black, deep blue, dark purple) and it is mixed with frightening elements thanks to the popularity of vampire stories, in which films this view dominates. Dark color shame is not obviously kept during transformations of old churches and Gothic revival buildings to homes. Gothic features are perfectly highlighted by light painted walls, comfortably upholstered seats, proper created lighting and separating of spaces and they perfectly harmonize the sight.
Gothic style can be realized in a common home also with considering the scales and proper amounts. Ask for help of an interior designer for this.

Papier maché

Mar6

Papier maché was a serious technology of interior design in the 19th century. The meaning of the French phrase is chewed paper. Henry Clay spread it in Europe who recognized its possibility in 1722.
Paper-pulp was made by a cooking method in France in the 18th century, to which glue was added and the mix was poured into molds. However, with Clay’s technique, large paper sheets were glued together on the surface of a pre-made frame and the air was pressed out of it after every 2-3 layers. The edges were cut, it was dipped into linseed oil and put into a hot oven (think in industrial sizes of course). More layers were applied on it after this, until the desired thickness was reached. The surface of the ready piece was grinded then the whole was dipped into linseed oil again and baked for several hours. This way it became not only hard and sturdy but waterproof also. Theodore Jennens patented a procedure when these pieces could be curved in forms by steaming and pressing.
Papier maché objects were produced until the beginning of the 1900s: faux-columns, backs of chairs, headboards, trays, sewing boxes, ink stands, table tops, snuffboxes, doors of coaches, toys, picture frames etc. This was a much cheaper solution for moldings, rosettes and wall panels than if the pieces were made of gypsum or wood. The surfaces of household objects were mostly lacquered black (perhaps red or dark green) and decorated with paint (flowers, birds) or mother of pearl inlay, sometimes they were gilded instead of lacquering. At the first glance, these masterpieces couldn’t be determined that they weren’t made of wood.
The original papier maché pieces are very valuable today and sought after by collectors.

Empire

May30

Empire style was developed in France under the reign of Napoleon. The emperor wittingly created a style which marks his reign and contains the main features of ancient world-powers, referring to his own glory. It was spread all over Europe by his conquests.
Empire style is based on monumentality and luxury. It alloys ancient Greek and Roman architectural features with ancient Egyptian motifs, favors the more ornate ones from all of them. Corinthian columns dominate in the buildings. Big amount of gilding makes the sight imposing in the interiors, which is pared commonly with black (ebony, varnishing, marble), claret and bright dark blue. Furniture are covered with ormolu, the frame of seats is fully gilded, moreover the upholstery has yellow or gold color also. Out of fabrics, silk and damask became conspicuous.
Bays, olive-branch, N (Napoleon) and J (Josephine) letters, flower garlands, pitcher are repeated motifs. Frequently caryatides or winged animal figures hold the top of tables instead of legs. These decorations are common on dressers also. Mahogany was the most frequently used wooden material.
Walls were covered with heavy fabrics which were even pleated for a thicker effect. Their colors were commonly dark green, claret or dark blue. Beloved solution were the painted walls and the gilding of plastered ceiling. The edges and patterns of paneling was highlighted by gilding too. The base color of these was typically cream or off-white. The bottom of curtains reached the floor, they were made of heavy but lighter colored fabrics, richly pleated and decorated with golden fringes, tassels and trimmings.
You can also implement the feeling of luxury provided by Empire style in your home with the help of an interior designer.