Designing interiors in the art deco style means embracing a well-known era in America and Europe during the 1920's and 30's. It stood in stark contrast to the more nature-inspired and minimalist art nouveau that came before it.

 

Similar to art nouveau, art deco had an impact on all domains of decorative arts, including automobile design, fashion, and interior design. It was thought to be both functional and elegant, while emphasizing machines and modernity.

Art deco withstood the roaring 20's, the Great Depression of the 1930's, and the global war that engulfed the 1940's. In the 1950's, however, it finally lost popularity and was replaced by the sleek look of midcentury modern style. 

But behold! Art deco is recently having a comeback, and both period pieces and replicas in this iconic style are in high demand. Keep on reading if you want to give your home a touch of art deco.

 

CLASSIC PATTERNS OF ART DECO STYLE

The flamboyant, unearthly, and symmetrical art deco patterns, motifs, and themes are depictions of the country's transformation through technological advancement in a variety of industries, including transportation and architecture. The design elements of art deco are linear, geometric, and angular. The look is strong and bold –without fuss or romance.

When looking for accessories or furniture with an art deco influence, keep an eye out for a number of recurring motifs, such as:

• Triangular shapes
• Trapezoidal shapes
• Sunburst shapes
• Chevron patterns
• Zigzag patterns
• Sweeping curves
• Stepped forms
• Stylized wildlife
• Exquisite, or at times abstract, nude females
• Jagged, sharp edges modeled after skyscrapers (like the Chrysler building)

The Impact of Tourism on Art Deco

In the 1930s, traveling abroad to experience trips to the ancient pyramids and enjoy safari excursions became popular. The use of hieroglyphic symbols and animal patterns (like zebra), which are frequently seen in art deco styling, was greatly influenced by these travels.

 

POPULAR ITEMS OF ART DECO STYLE

Art deco style is defined by certain materials. For instance, a tribute to the wealth that new industries brought at the time was the liberal use of steel and gold in art deco architecture, accessories, and furniture. The following types of materials were widely used during the art deco era:

• Glass, lacquer, stainless steel, mirror and chrome as materials for accessories and furnishings
• High-end upholstery fabrics for chairs and headboards, such as shark skin, zebra skin, and velvet
• Expensive materials for upscale accessories and furnishings, such as marble, zebrawood, and ebony

Here's a slideshow of How to Add Art Deco Style to Any Room.

 

STANDARD ATTRIBUTES OF ART DECO STYLE

Making a big statement in both architecture and interior design was the main thing about art deco style. It's possible to mix art deco with other themes if you love this style and wish to surround yourself with a few pieces from the period.

Adding a few art deco-inspired curvilinear or mirrored pieces to a space with traditional furnishings, for instance, adds aesthetic appeal and a unique feel to your décor. Here are art deco design components to look for if you want to give your home a retro modernist look.

Furniture

Large in scale and with smooth silhouette, art deco furniture lacks intricate detailing or frills. You'd find that generously sized chairs, big sideboards and armoires are typical of the time. In that period, safari vacations were very popular, which led to the creation of furniture with opulent tortoiseshell or mother-of-pearl inlays.

Fabrics

In addition to zebra and shark skin, velvets and leathers are other art deco-influenced upholstery materials. Art deco is generally thought NOT to include distinctively masculine plaids or overly feminized florals. Instead, the style favors textiles with geometric patterns or solid colors. Upholstered furniture with strong, contrasting color blocks are also regarded as iconic art deco design.

Colors

The art deco era is marked by vivid, striking colors. Colors are typically punctuated or paired with high-shine silver, chrome, or black accents.

• Bright and deep blues, pinks, greens, yellows and reds are favorite colors of the time.
• Beiges and creams are the softer colors of the period --many of which were used in bedrooms, living rooms, and dining rooms.
• Lacquered furniture and polished wood –which were popular in the era– go well with neutral colors.

Flooring

You actually have art deco elements in your room if it already has wood flooring with a parquet or herringbone pattern, or with simple inlays that create sunburst-like shapes. Other motifs appear underfoot in tile or linoleum like cube patterns with optical illusion or black-and-white checkered flooring. Large rugs with loud geometric patterns are often placed on equally opulent and beautiful art deco-inspired floors.

Lighting

Adding light fixtures that mark the period is perhaps one of the simplest and most eye-catching ways to bring art deco into your space. Lighting from the era is distinguished by its symmetrical and geometric patterns.

They have more detail than other art deco items and highlight three common design components:

• Shades with fanned-out styles that obscure the bulbs
• Fixtures with aerodynamic, modern, clean lines and minimally detailed silhouettes
• Skyscraper-inspired lighting fixtures with stepped or elongated shades made of etched glass or chrome

The popular use of opal glass also distinguished the period. Known as milk glass because of its translucent white finish, opal glass was created in Italy way before the art deco era. It was, however, widely used for shades on lighting fixtures in the art deco period.

If you’re curious about the beginnings of art deco style and wish to see more photos, discover The Fascinating History of Art Deco Design.

 

HOW TO ADD ART DECO STYLE IN YOUR HOME

Although the exact beginnings of art deco architecture are unclear, France is recognized as the country where the term first appeared. When translated directly from French, it means decorative art. When mentioning art deco, most people naturally think of interior home design, but it actually has an extensive scope which includes paintings, architecture, and fashion.

To the naked eye, art deco may seem chaotic. But in reality, there are subtle rules that govern the design. The combination of traditional and modern elements is very remarkable. Art deco is defined by glitz, splendor, and luxurious design. If you look real close, you'd see how much of the Hollywood's rich and famous' mansions and apartments resemble art deco homes.

Here are 10 simple ways to design your interior home the art deco style:

1- Incorporate geometric shapes

2- Go glam with lighting

3- Opt for sleek materials

4- Mix art deco pieces with other antiques

5- Focus on streamlined shapes

6- Go wild with animal prints

7- Make a statement with a mirror

8- Add over-the-top glamour

9- Add art deco accents

10- Bring in sunbursts

Read these 10 tips in detail at A Guide To Art Deco Interior Design Style for Your Home.

And, here are photos of art deco interiors for more inspiration Art Deco Interior Design Defined And How To Get The Look.

To get you started with getting the art deco look for your home,  contact Jarvis Interiors and get a customized interior design advice from our experts.

If, however, your style is inclined toward simplistic, yet trendy and chic interiors learn how by reading Black & White Décor: How to Update your Interiors with a Chic Scandi Look that's Always Trendy.

 

 

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Content Credits

An Art Deco Interior Design Guide