Staal bespanningsstof naar ontwerp van Theo Nieuwenhuis in passe-partout c. 1910

This is a design for upholstery fabric by Theo Nieuwenhuis, made probably at the start of the twentieth century. I wonder what it would have been like to make this thing. I imagine Nieuwenhuis poring over leaf patterns and geometric shapes, trying out different combinations until a satisfying design emerges. The wallpaper has dense botanical forms, like a lush ornamental garden with large, stylized leaf shapes in gold on a textured aquamarine background. This gold against aquamarine makes me think about the Viennese Secession and of course Gustav Klimt. I see the influence of Art Nouveau, with its emphasis on curvilinear forms and natural motifs. It makes me feel like I'm in a rich person's parlor, which has a chaise lounge! I want to be in that room. Ultimately, design is like painting; both reflect conversations across time and inspire creativity. They offer various ways of seeing, thinking, and experiencing the world.