Gzhel style in the interior – the magic of frosty freshness in the house
The Gzhel style in the interior is an original design direction, which is characterized by bright contrasting patterns in a combination of blue and white colors, sometimes with small splashes of golden yellow shades. The Gzhel style is based on the centuries-old history of the eponymous Russian folk craft and the traditions of national culture. Its decorative elements with intricate, fantasy patterns conquer with their imagery and splendor of painting, emphasize impeccable purity, and give a feeling of pleasant coolness.
The Gzhel style in the interior makes a strong and ambiguous impression with bright ringing freshness, magic of intricate lines. He is often chosen by extraordinary personalities, businessmen, politicians, people with an analytical mindset and an “inner core”. The cool blue and white color scheme creates a calm atmosphere, clarifies and balances thoughts, improves concentration, and promotes reflection. Therefore, this design is also suitable for representatives of creative professions: writers, artists, philosophers.
The main characteristics and features of the Gzhel style
The Gzhel style in the interior is distinguished by a variety of options. Its main feature is decorativeness, which is expressed by a characteristic aesthetic painting with soft contours, slight blurring of paint along the edges and smooth transitions of tones. Drawings can decorate any furnishings: walls, furniture, decorative elements. The most popular are the following thematic images:
- Flora. Compositions of flowers and leaves, collected in bouquets or garlands, are often used. There are also tree branches, berries, ears.
- Fauna. Images of feathered representatives are especially widespread. There are hares, bears, hedgehogs.
- Ornament. The patterns, made in the form of a grid, consist of pearls, droplets, antennae, checkers, Christmas trees.
- Plot stories. Illustrate everyday life and festive scenes of tea parties, fairs, winter fun and folk festivals.
The main rule of this design is a competent placement of accents. Thematic elements are used in small quantities, harmoniously combined with monochrome objects and materials. The share of the Gzhel pattern does not exceed 30% of the total surface area.
The main characteristics of the Gzhel style in the interior include:
Coloristics. Cobalt gzhel is organically combined with warm shades of beige, cream, woody brown. Silver and light gray tones enhance the severity and solidity of the pattern. Warm gilding makes the painting calmer. In small quantities, the use of green and orange is allowed.
- Lighting. The Gzhel pattern loves the sun”s rays; it looks fresh and attractive in a bright room. In dark, “northern” rooms, the proportion of blue is reduced by adding more restrained white background.
- Materials. An intricate pattern is found on wallpaper, decorative panels, ceramic tiles. Warm natural wood is suitable for finishing.
- Furniture. Painted wardrobes, tables and dressers look like works of art. Snow-white headsets are perfectly complemented by plot images. Belonging to style is also expressed through the upholstery of upholstered furniture.
- Textile. Roses, poppies, cornflowers and blue birds of paradise are depicted on bed linen, tablecloths, curtains, panels. The traditional white background gives them lightness and airiness.
- Accessories. Gzhel motives are present on vases, figurines, porcelain boxes. Complement the interior of the product
The history of the Gzhel style in the interior
A distant historical prerequisite for the appearance of the Gzhel style in the interior was ceramic production, the first mention of which dates back to 1339. The name comes from the historical name of a small area located in the Moscow province and famous for its unique natural resources. More than 17 types of clay were found in the Gzhel volost. White was ideal for the production of porcelain.
The fragile and lightweight material immediately attracted attention. By the 19th century, dishes and toys made of white Gzhel clay were produced by several scattered factories. At the end of the century, businessman Matvey Sidorovich Kuznetsov, known as the king of porcelain and faience, united the old and opened new workshops. But the events of the early 20th century brought production to a decline.
A full-fledged revival of the crafts began only after the Second World War. In the 70s-80s of the last century, the products gained worldwide popularity. Gzhel motives began to be added to traditional interiors:
- classical;
- Scandinavian;
- country;
- provence.
Gradually, the unique painting was formed as a full-fledged style, won dominant positions.
The Gzhel style surprisingly combines elegance, depth and light solemnity. Adhering to a sense of proportion, it is easy to integrate it into any space, thereby giving the interior of the room a special flavor and grace.
