Art Déco was one of the most exciting and influential styles of the 20th century and continues to have a major impact on design. Bold, flowing and symmetrical motifs, patterns are its characteristics. Introducing even single elements into your interior, they are sure to become an extremely sophisticated addition to any arrangement.
A bit of history
Art Déco first appeared in France in the 1920s and took its name from the "Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes" of 1925. This very popular international design movement, has been accepted worldwide and covers the period from 1925 to 1940. We can see it in all disciplines of arts and crafts like interior design, furniture, fashion, jewelry, textiles and architecture. The style emphasized modernity and the use of machinery, while being considered elegant and functional.
Art déco survived the turmoil of the 1920s, the crisis of the 1930s and the global conflict that engulfed the 1940s, and finally fell out of favor in the 1950s, giving way to the streamlined modern midcentury style. Art déco is currently experiencing a resurgence with period decorations and reproductions in this iconic, highly sought-after style. If we want to add a touch of this style to our living space, here are the motifs, materials - or what we should be looking for.
The top of the Chrysler Building in New York City
© Wiliam Wachter
Patterns
Art déco's bold, flowing and symmetrical motifs, patterns and motifs symbolized technological advances in industries ranging from transportation to architecture. Designs in this style often center around a pattern, making it a key element. When you want to get furniture or accessories inspired by this style, look for several regularly occurring motifs, including:
- Trapezoidal shapes
- Zigzag patterns
- Arrowhead patterns
- Stepped patterns
- Rounded corners
- Solar flare patterns
- Triangles
- Stylized wildlife
- jagged, pointy edges inspired by skyscrapers (such as the Chrysler Building)
Materials
This style is certainly characterized by an unusually wide variety of often expensive materials, which include natural precious raw materials, but also man-made ones. For example, the generous use of gold and steel in architecture, furniture and accessories was a tribute to the wealth created by the new industries of the time. Categories of materials used during the art déco period include:
- Exclusive upholstery fabrics for seats and headrests, such as sharkskin, velvet and zebra skin
- Stainless steel, mirrors and chrome, glass as materials for furniture and accessories
- Expensive materials for high-end furniture and accessories, such as ebony, marble, jade, silver, ivory and rock crystal
Pastel Art Déco buildings along the Miami boardwalk
© Debby Hudson
Colors
Art déco period colors are bold and sometimes pastel as in the case of Miami Beach's main boardwalk, where the colorful gallery of hotels immediately brings to mind a hot beach and sunshine. The colors are often combined or punctuated with shiny silver, chrome or black accents.
- Favorite colors of the era are bright and deep yellows, reds, greens, blues and pinks.
- Milder colors of that era were creams and beiges, many of which were used in living rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms.
- Neutral colors go well with polished wood and lacquered furniture typical of the era.
Art Déco period furniture
© Flickr
Furniture
Art déco stylefurniture is large and streamlined, but devoid of ornamentation, frills and intricate details. Furniture tends to have larger proportions - large sideboards, cabinets and chairs are typical of the period. Geometric, vertical motifs in glossy, luxurious finishes are also key elements. Art Déco often includes inclusions of contrasting and often luxurious materials such as ivory, brass and mother-of-pearl.
Flooring
If you already have a wooden floor laid in a herringbone pattern or parquet floors that just need to be refinished - Bingo! These are art déco elements. Other motifs appearing underfoot are black and white checkerboard flooring or cube patterns with optical illusion effects. Beautifully bold art déco-inspired floors are often covered with large rugs in equally expressive geometric patterns.
Lighting
Perhaps one of the easiest and most eye-catching ways to bring this style into the home are the lighting fixtures that characterize the period. We can use floor lamps, for example, which will add to the atmosphere. Light fi xtures from this era are known for their geometric and symmetrical designs. They have more detail than other design elements and contain three common elements:
- Luminaires with clean, aerodynamic, modern lines with minimal details
- Luminaires with glass or chrome shades with stepped, or elongated shapes that resemble skyscrapers
- Flared shade shapes that obscure the bulbs.
