Victor Horta, an architect who worked in Belgium, is credited with laying the foundation of the Art Nouveau style. This expressive and decorative art form preceded the Art Deco style and was all the rage in Europe from 1890 to 1910.

The architecture broke tradition and was inspired by natural and organic forms. Richly decorated interiors were bathed with natural light and thanks to iron construction a variety of ornate and expressive spaces were created by Horta.

An exhibition in Mumbai recently showcased a collection of photographs taken by German photographer Paula Deetjen. She has captured the beauty of this design style in the houses built by Horta in Brussels almost 100 years ago.