Rococo Revival

Image sourced from Pinterest.

DETAILS

Where — Everywhere
Beautiful — Style

A stylish rebellion!

"Rococo was perhaps the most rebellious of design styles," say the authors of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. The style originated from the Baroque movement in France, rebelling against the typical architectural norms of the time and leaning into craftsmanship and intricate design motifs. Ornamental and theatrical designs emerged, free from the constraints of established rules. And as rule #11 states: when breaking the rules, make sure you do it with style.

As I reflect on my time studying and living in France, I’m reminded of the sense of ease and fluidity that defines the culture, a feeling that still lingers with me. In France, you can walk for hours, mesmerized by the beauty of the buildings around you. You can savor the world’s best pastry in a cozy bodega inside a 300-year-old building. Even a simple sit in the Luxembourg Gardens, listening to the birds with a glass of wine at lunch, becomes the most relaxing and effortless moment of your life. This, to me, is how the Rococo movement in design feels—indulgent and effortless.

Although many elements of Rococo—like floral motifs and ornate moldings—are still present in modern design, we’re especially witnessing a revival of this style today.

Natural motifs, Acanthus leaves, and curved asymmetry (resembling the shapes of S’s and C’s) are more prevalent than ever! As you scroll through the gallery at the bottom of the page, you’ll notice Rococo-inspired elements in modern interiors, especially in furniture shapes, fabrics, decor, and the ornate moldings. One of my favorite current trends is the fusion of the old and the new, seen in the combination of old buildings with intricate moldings paired with modern furniture. Damask, a classic pattern from the Rococo era, is being incorporated into contemporary interiors in curtains, wallpapers, and upholstery.

However you choose to approach it, remember to make it beautiful!

Traditional ornate moldings from the Rococo era. Image sourced from Pinterest.

A fashion show inspired by the Rococo movement. Image sourced from Pinterest.

A painting by Jean-Honoré Fragonard, titled The Swing , from the Rococo era.

Image 1. sourced from Pinterest. Image 2. sourced from Pinterest. Image 3. sourced from Pinterest. Image 4. sourced from House and Garden. Image 5. sourced from Architectural Digest.