Rococo architecture developed in the 18th century, taking the illusions and decoration of the Baroque period to a new extreme. The style enjoyed great popularity with the ruling elite throughout much of Europe. In France, King Louis XV favored the more delicate curves of Rococo designs. The term rococo comes from the French roccaille, meaning “stonework.” The name most likely developed as a descriptive term for the shell-like stucco work that adorned late Baroque interiors. In central and eastern Europe, ornate Baroque architecture incorporated pastel colors and theatrical stucco ornamentation into designs of facades and interiors. Rococo architecture often appears more delicate than its Baroque predecessors because of its frivolous and profuse use of color and gold on cupid, shell, and flower motifs. It fell out of favor in the late 18th century and was replaced by a return to rational geometric organization in Neoclassic architecture.