If we look up the term "bohemia" in the dictionary, the various meanings of the term will give us insight into the origin of this style. A "bohemian" is considered to be a person with artistic or literary interests who disregards conventional standards of behavior. Likewise, "bohemia" is also defined as the practice of individualistic, unconventional, and relaxed behavior, often in an artistic context, expressing disdain or opposition to ordinary conventions.
"La bohème" is also an opera in four acts with music by Giacomo Puccini. What we now understand as 'bohemia' from a design perspective emerged in early 19th-century France. Paris was the capital of art and the city where painters, writers, and artists from various parts of Europe made their homes. It could be referred to as the "region of Bohemia," which they used to refer to the gypsies who originated from Bohemia, a region in the Czech Republic.
In addition to the historical region, the convergence of cultures gave rise to an alternative (and free-spirited) lifestyle because artists, due to their low income and social conventions, had to settle in low-rent neighborhoods, typical of Romani areas.
19th-Century Interiors of Bohemian Inspiration
The Boho Chic style and the Bohemian style aimed to change beauty standards by rejecting bourgeois rules and embracing the unconventional. Throughout the 20th century, the spirit of this style has been present in various eras, from the Beatniks of the 1950s to the hippies of the 1960s and 70s, who already had a boho look. Elements from non-Western cultures, such as African, Indian, and Native American motifs, were gradually incorporated into the decoration of the movement.
Thus, Bohemian decoration has come to our days as a fusion of cultures and an informal and relaxed style, with spaces lacking rigidity and symmetry that invite relaxation. Don't you think that, following this premise, it can become the ideal style for your bedroom or living room?
The Keys to the Bohemian Style
Cheerful, vibrant, and free are some adjectives that will surely come to mind after discovering the origin of the Bohemian style. Undoubtedly, its eclecticism - the mixture of ethnic and oriental motifs - along with the freedom to break established rules and vintage pieces, are the strengths that have attracted so many followers in recent years.
The key to Bohemian decoration is that there is really no wrong way to incorporate this style into our homes; we just need to consider the basic principles of design. Therefore, as it is a "rebellious" style that encourages breaking established norms, we may run the risk of ending up with somewhat cluttered spaces, visual noise, and somewhat close to the kitsch style.
That's why we are going to focus on a variant of the Bohemian style that precisely avoids that chaotic and cluttered aesthetic: the Boho Chic style. This style is based on the same decorative foundation as Bohemian but with elements that create more tranquil and sophisticated atmospheres.
