What is Art Deco Interior Design?
Art Deco Interior Design is a style that emerged in France in the 1920s before flourishing internationally during the 1930s and early 1940s. This style is defined by its bold geometric shapes, luxurious materials, and opulent detailing. Art Deco interior design in 1920 was seen as ultra-modern, representing luxury, glamour, exuberance, and faith in social and technological progress.
Main Elements and Colors
The Art Deco style is distinguished by a number of distinct characteristics. The design primarily incorporates geometric patterns, stepped forms, sweeping curves, and sunburst motifs. Other Art Deco characteristics include the use of rich colors and bold contrasts, with a palette that often combines shades of black, gold, silver, chrome, and white, often accented with jewel tones like emerald green, ruby red, and sapphire blue.
Artwork, Lighting, and Furniture
Artwork, lighting, and furniture are vital elements in Art Deco interiors. Artworks often feature stylized, streamlined forms and bold outlines. Lighting fixtures made of chrome or glass exude sophistication, often in geometric or angular shapes that echo the motifs of the Art Deco period. Furniture in this style is notable for its high-gloss finishes and geometric forms. Velvet, leather, and exotic woods are common materials, while inlays and accents might include ivory, lacquer, or chrome.
Transforming Your Kitchen into an Art Deco Masterpiece
- Start with a color scheme that pairs classic Art Deco colors like black, chrome, and white, accented with bold jewel tones.
- Choose geometric-patterned wallpapers or tiles for backsplashes and walls.
- Opt for high-gloss cabinetry in bold black or white, accented with chrome or brass hardware.
- Select furniture with streamlined forms and geometric shapes. Upholstery in velvet or leather adds a touch of luxury.
- For lighting, use angular or geometric pendant lights or chandeliers in chrome or glass.
- Finish with Art Deco accessories such as chrome fruit bowls, geometric vases, or a cocktail cart with vintage barware.
The Influence of Art Deco in the 21st Century
Modern Art Deco borrows the style’s original glamour while infusing it with contemporary comforts. This 21st-century adaptation retains the bold geometric patterns, luxurious materials, and high contrast colors of the original style, but also integrates modern furnishings and technology, making it more adaptable to today’s lifestyle.
Art Deco Architecture and Interior Design
Art Deco’s influence isn’t limited to interiors. Many iconic buildings from the 1920s and 1930s showcase Art Deco characteristics in their architecture. These buildings often feature facades with geometric ornamentation, ziggurat-like structures, and the use of luxurious materials like marble and chrome. This architectural grandeur often carries over into the interior spaces, creating a cohesive Art Deco experience.
The Legacy of Art Deco
This style continues to inspire interior design today, with its bold and glamorous aesthetic enduring the test of time. Whether in its classic or modern form, the Art Deco style is a testament to a period of technological progress and luxury, offering a distinct and sophisticated option for interior design today.
