Derived from“bois”, the french word forwood, Boiseries simply means wood processing. In Interior Design it refers to walls covering wooden panels. These can be functional or decorative, modern or traditional, minimal or decorated with carvings and engravings.
Image source:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panelling#/media/File:RSC_Staircase.jpg
History of the boiserie
This trend was born inFrenchin theXVIIsec., where it became very popular for interior decoration throughout theBaroqueand late-Baroque periods. The first example of boiserie was inspired by typical themes of that period. The decoration is recalled fromnatural formsandfloral shapes. The inlays and engravings were big and majestic almost overwhelming.
This decorative technique is based onwood processingand the aim is to create a sort of picture frames and reliefs, with different kinds of texture and ground which can be geometrical or not. These panels are repeated in the room, to装修andcustomizethe space starting from the walls themselves.
Image source:https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/e8ef3357-3a7b-4925-b00f-6338b98e405bbyTonton Jaja
板也门,病房里robes, furnishings, and separé,not only on walls. Frequently, the paintings were set in the boiseries which act as a frame of the paintings or the bas-relief.
Image source:https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/5577f082-9133-47ea-a0a4-65a2091f8c50bycharlotte henard
This handcrafted decoration was veryexpansiveand appreciated by the nobility and high French bourgeoisie. We can find numerous examples of this decoration in offices, consulting rooms, and houses belonging to the upper classes of Paris. This trend was exported throughout Europe. There are a lot of examples of this decoration inside thePalace of Versailles.
Image source:https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/9e35d193-9b4d-41af-8893-090e3a890161byzigazou76
Design from the old times…
Currently, many craft productions have resumed the use of wood paneling. InItaly, the production is concentrated in the northeast (Veneto). Some of these labs are specialized in this type of boiserie which requiresspecific skills and experiences.
Image source:https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/56ac1f46-fa9e-4333-ba49-53d254b04e89byPierre Poschadel
What was once a special decoration very used in stately apartments and palaces, today we rediscover it as a decorative technique and not only as carved wood panels. With the term “boiserie” we identify different systems to enhance the space, with different characteristics for different houses even the most modern ones.
Image source:https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/b0a35bfe-3dc9-4799-a9ab-2c6c195e6849byVillesolin
…Until today
Design and fashion got used to seeing this kind of transformation andreinterpretationin a modern way, starting from a typical old decoration which was considered heavy and sickly to a new trend in terms of interior design.
Thanks to the use of sundry materials, not only wood, and the infinite possibility of shapes, colors, and textures, now this technique becameincredibly versatileand adaptive to any kind of space and style.
Image source:https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/cf7256bb-2d91-4ffe-b8ff-8709f4e15f35byJeremy Levine Design
Now it’s possible to use the traditional boiserie and give to space the old fashion of an ancient palace, or make it more modern with simple texture and metal frames, or give it a vintage touch by inserting pastel colors and fabric parts or even exaggerate with incredible complex textures engraved on wood orplaster.
Image source:https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/a4f018b0-3eee-47c8-a4a5-324c9b7ef136byWonderlane
Image source:https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/ba340b7c-ff20-4dfb-b750-de39bc16fa5bbyMyWallArt – 3d Wallpanel
Info source:https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boiserie
