A typical rococo room
In contrast with the ostentation of baroque, during the 1st half of the 18th century appeared the more intimate Rococo: rooms where smaller, but much more comfortable and more elegant than during the Baroque era. In France, the fashion was dictated by the favorite of Louis XV: Marquise de Pompadour. Private meetings were in vogue. All served the spirit of privacy and secrecy: hidden garden pavilions and gazebos, secluded caves and grottoes.
A typical small room had a rounded or oval plan. Floors were made of boards or parquet with geometric patterns. Color became important; if baroque interiors offered a range of bright color, for the Rococo indulged in pastel and muted colors: pearl grey, pale yellow, sky blue, pink, pale green. Gold and silver became fashionable in matte tones.
The distinguishing feature of the style became the small stylized engraved pattern in the form of rocaille (ornament in the form of shells). Rocaille became the main motif decoration. Precisely because of that motif, the style of king Louis XV was later called Rococo, and it appeared everywhere, in sofas, couches, beds, chairs and plaster decorative elements. It was a time of general enthusiasm and the exploration of the orient was reflected in chinoiserie furniture (the hit of the era were lacquered chests in Chinese style).
In short, this style is best suited to create a private, confidential atmosphere.
