Sometimes I torture myself by doing a search for Art Nouveau furnishings on 1stDibs. I covet the impossibly beautiful lamps, mirrors, plates and furniture — all impossibly priced. You won't impress your purist collector friends (and some of these pieces are very loose interpretations of the style!), but these pieces can give your room a bit of Art Nouveau-esque whimsy and fun.
With its sinewy lines, flower and plant motifs, and ethereal curves, Art Nouveau decor is almost fantastical in its beauty. I especially love the idea of pairing Art Nouveau pieces against the stark sleekness of mid-century modern furniture. But the sad fact is that I cannot afford the real thing. Luckily there are some fun reproductions out there and inexpensive accessories designed in the Art Nouveau style. (If you want a concise but thorough education on Art Nouveau, it is worth checking out A Quick History of Art Nouveau.)
FIRST ROW
1. Reproduction Art Nouveau table lamp in the Handel, Tiffany style with art glass shades, eBay. Bronze Maison Design Art Nouveau Style votive candle holderAmazon, $24.99. Art Nouveau calla lily mirror in cold cast resin. Amazon, $49.95
2. Hickory Hardware Art Nouveau 3-3/8 in. Satin Pewter Hook, Home Depot, $6.37.
3. Brass table mirror, Vintage Blue Smiles on Etsy, $149.
4. Pillow from Couple Home on Etsy, $13.50.
5. Cicada jewelry box from eMuseum Store, $15.
SECOND ROW
6. Klimt mother and child teapot from eMuseum Store, $34.95.
7. 1920s Art Nouveau bookends from Mom's Vintage TReasures on Etsy, $188.
8. Perhaps the ultimate in reproduction Art Nouveau style loving: A newly designed Art Nouveau style house near Moscow. Lux Interior Designs.
9. The Plate Lady, $25.95.
10. Wall mirror at Mandarava, $69.34.
Images: As credited above.
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Nope... kitschy!
Undoubtedly, this style could be used to beautiful effect, but individually, EACH of those pieces looks like something in my grandmother's house.
From a design perspective, that's not really a compliment. I just don't think I would be able to incorporate this stuff without going kitsch, unless that's part of the goal. :)
1st Dibs is absurdly expensive. Go to antique stores. Art Nouveau is out of fashion now (because of the current trend for a clean-lined MCM aesthetic), so it's dirt cheap -- MUCH less than it cost a few decades ago. Buy the real thing.
I love it! Fell in love with Art Nouveau in Art School. Definitely has a kitschy tone nowadays, but I'd absolutely rock that in my home. The only thing that's too silly for me is the Klimt teapot. Meh.
P.S. If you go to antique stores/fairs, it may look as if they don't have ANY art nouveau. But ask. It may be stashed somewhere in the back, waiting for the trend pendulum to swing back.
Also try Craigslist and yard sales. Art Nouveau was super-popular in the 1970s, and as Baby Boomers downsize, you might find amazing original pieces in surprisingly suburban settings. Seriously, you can often find original Art Nouveau for what the equivalent Pottery Barn piece would cost.
With any style, it's important to separate the good stuff from mass-market junk. Many people decide they hate Art Nouveau, Victorian, Craftsman, etc., because their early exposure to it was tacky knock-offs. The real thing can be stunning, but I honestly wouldn't want any of the items above (except the vintage bookends) in my house.
I'll admit I love this style. Victorian Trading Company has some pretty reproductions, too.
I have a reproduction of the brass mirror featured in the third image. I found it at a local antique store (dunno how antique it is) for $20 and I love it!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/le_chat_noir/6165168532/
The problem is that the good stuff is too expensive for some people. The idea here would be having a few cheap silly pieces mixed into your decor. These reproductions wouldn't be highlighted with a spotlight. They would be part of an eclectic vignette... In my opinion!
The mirror in the 3rd picture you can pick up on Ebay for less than $10. It is a cheap 80's production. I know this because I picked one from an auction. I thought I did so well, only to find out it worthless and plentiful.
Anything with a Klimt painting on it must be banned, unless its painted by Klimt himself and hanging in a frame on the wall.
speaking of Klimt, someone should tell the teapot company that that image is based on the "Kiss", it's not a mother and child... heavens !!!
I have the mirror in the third image too : ) Goodwill find, probably for less than $5, don't remember. I wonder how you can tell if it is reproduction?