Art Nouveau decoration in Federation Houses
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This post features two similar Federation Queen Anne homes, one in St Kilda, Victoria, the other in Scottsdale, Tasmania.
- Both being constructed of timber, rather than in red brick, they are described in Victoria as ‘Edwardian’. (Queen Anne style usually featured red brick front walls)
- Their decorative influence is the epitome of Art Nouveau decoration in domestic Australian architecture.
- Being so elaborately decorated, they represent the last flourish of Queen Anne style in Australian domestic housing design.
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| Art Nouveau Stamped brass fingerplate |
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| Timber Edwardian in St Kilda sold last Saturday 28 Nov 15 for $2,311,000 |
Art Nouveau is a decorative style easily recognised by its sinuous, curvilinear forms often based on the exaggeration of vines, flowers and foliage.
- A reaction to academic art of the 19th century, Art Nouveau was inspired by natural forms and structures, not only in flowers and plants, but also in curved lines.
- Architects tried to harmonize with the natural environment.[1]
- Art Nouveau is considered a “total” art style, embracing architecture, graphic art, interior design, and most of the decorative arts including jewellery, furniture, textiles, household silver and other utensils and lighting, as well as the fine arts.
- According to the philosophy of the Art Nouveau style, art should be a way of life.
- In Australia, Art Nouveau was spread by the growth of art and craft education in technical schools and adopted by various commercial enterprises but it was rarely used for complete room or building schemes. [2]
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| This fully restored 1910 Scottsdale home sold on 25 November 2015 for over $449,000. |
- Architecture, decorative art, household furnishings and fittings of many types were adapted by designers into the Art Nouveau style.
Leadlight glass in Art Nouveau style
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| Leadlight glass and timber designs at 269 Barkly Street St Kilda Vic 3182 |
- “At auction on 28-Nov-2015 a family won a St Kilda lifestyle in a handsome timber Edwardian house with three bedrooms, three bathrooms, first-floor retreat and wine cellar.
- But they faced two other bidders for 269 Barkly Street, and paid Wilson Agents’ Niels Geraerts​ $2,311,000, $171,000 over reserve.”
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| Leadlight glass at 269 Barkly Street St Kilda Vic 3182 |
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| Design for stained glass in Art Nouveau style (Lyongrun plate A 3), from: Arnold Lyongrun, Berlin 1900 |
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| Leadlight glass windows at 269 Barkly Street St Kilda Vic 3182 |
Timber fretwork in Art Nouveau style
Federation homes are known for their often exuberant timber ornamental decorations: friezes, fretwork, balustrades, art nouveau- style swirled brackets and arch.
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| Omar, Scottsdale Tas built 1904 |
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| Interior Art Nouveau arch at 52 King Street, Scottsdale TAS 7260 |
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| Art Nouveau arch at Scottsdale, note Wunderlich metal ceiling in floral design |
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| Alistair Brae Pymble |
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| Werona Bed and Breakfast Launceston Tasmania |
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Centennial Park Art Nouveau
Centennial Park is a small residential suburb, on the western fringe of the Centennial parkland, which is part of the local government area of the City of Sydney.
- The suburb developed as a result of a decision to sell off land adjacent to the park to raise money for the park development. One hundred and one acres of land were subdivided in 1904.
- To ensure high standards of residential development, certain requirements were imposed. No wooden buildings or terrace homes were allowed; brick or stone were mandated, with tile or slate roofs.
- Between 1905 and 1925, a wide range of substantial, quality homes were built, featuring a mixture of Federation, Arts and Crafts, Victorian and Old English styles. Homes are centred mainly on Martin Road, Robertson Road, Lang Road and Cook Road.[3]
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| 70A Cook Rd Centennial Park NSW |
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| 28 Lang Road Centennial Park NSW |
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| Art Nouveau Leadlight glass at 74 Lang Road Centennial Park |
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| Ceiling at 100 Lang Road Centennial Park NSW |
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| Leadlight at Centennial Park, built in in the early 1900’s |
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| Beautiful Art Nouveau Leadlight glass at 39 Robertson Road Centennial Park NSW |
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| 39 Robertson Road Centennial Park NSW |
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| 39 Robertson Road Centennial Park NSW |
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| 39 Robertson Road Centennial Park NSW |
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| 39 Robertson Road Centennial Park NSW |
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Art Nouveau Furnishings
An eclectic mixture, beginning with Australian pieces
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| Australian interior from “The Federation House” by Hugh Fraser and Ray Joyce |
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| The Robert Prenzel wardrobe |
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| French Art Nouveau chair with gilt wood frame |
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| Belgian oak Art Nouveau display sideboard |
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| Austrian Art Nouveau mahogany dressing table |
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| Arts and Crafts Oak Hallstand by Shapland and Petter c1905 |
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| ART NOUVEAU DISPLAY CABINET IN MAHOGANY |
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| Art Nouveau bookcase |
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| tiled-top-AC-table |
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| Edwardian walnut display cabinet sideboard |
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Wall and ceiling designs
Art Nouveau interior design comes as a combination of artistic decorative baroque with modern and contemporary details.
Its characteristics are sweeping, feminine shapes. Its beauty is undeniable and a lot of people love it.
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| 1907 English Art Nouveau Wall and ceiling designs |
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| 22 Classy Art Nouveau Interior Design Ideas |
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| 22 Classy Art Nouveau Interior Design Ideas |
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| A delightful Federation Lounge room with original fireplaces and ceilings. Sherwood, circa 1910, 307 Mowbray Road Artarmon |
- ^ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_Nouveau
- ^http://sydneylivingmuseums.com.au/exhibitions/art-nouveau
- ^ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centennial_Park,_New_South_Wales
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