Thursday, March 13, 2008

Arts And Crafts To Form Good Designs

Pioneers of the Arts and Crafts movement of the late 19th to early 20th century called for a return of fine and decorative art. These painters and craftsmen were highly critical of the machine generated products that defined the Industrial Era. The Arts and Crafts movement saw the return of tasteful, quality designs, all of which can be applied in today's bathroom. Even though the Arts and Crafts era reached a peak in 1920, today's Arts and Crafts style is nothing less than stylish and contemporary.

Many of the patterns and designs conceived during the Arts and Crafts movement were well-preserved. Therefore, hundreds of original Arts and Crafts patterns are still in circulation. An easy way to apply one of these original, intricate patterns is on your bathroom wallpaper.

Stylized Arts and Crafts designs frequently highlight recognizable Arts and Crafts symbols and images. Some of these include upside-down hearts, Celtic motifs, and ornamental flower designs. Many of these designs were brought back from the medieval period by artisans and craftsmen who were influenced by the handiwork of that era. In your bathroom, try experimenting with stained glass, copper, and pewter pieces. For instance, hang a shower curtain with a richly colored brass pole.

If you'd rather not use brass, try rustic wood instead. Oak is a good choice in this genre, and floors made with wood should have a dark stain. Arts and Crafts style uses a lot of natural materials like wood because they are typically those crafted by hand. The idea is to get creative and become inspired by high-quality, original handiwork, or even secondhand pieces that imitate them. Try hanging a woven textile on the wall, propping a simple wooden screen on one corner, or including a handmade wooden chair in the room, then contrasting the wood with crafted metalwork accents.