Art deco can feel cold and austere to a few — clear, because most of today’s art deco–fashion houses use palettes based on black and chrome. But unique art deco houses actually embraced a large number of colors and international influences, creating an eclectic and accessible look.
Art deco uses furniture and decorative items which adopt technology and manufacturing. Art deco homes seem tidy, bold, glamorous and sophisticated; their traces are clean, symmetrical and modern. But, everything should still feel functional and friendly.
Here are eight components and principles of art deco style which you can try incorporating into your own space.
Habachy Designs
1. Dramatic and colors. Art deco’s bold use of geometry, colors and textures makes a dramatic and sophisticated look. Deep greens, blues, purples, reds, pinks and yellows can be mixed with black, white, gold and chrome.
Get this look: Do not worry — art deco can still feel at home in a house with a lighter palette. Not ready to take the plunge with walls? Try painting just one or two accent walls in your living area a deep colour, or masking them at a deco-style background or fabric. If you would rather leave your walls try out some floor-to-ceiling draperies or even a couple richly colored throw cushions to get some colour in there.
Gacek Design Group, Inc..
2. Deco motifs. Travel became more accessible during the art deco period, exposing people to different cultures and designs. A love of archeology in this age also urged designers to make use of themes from ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome and Asia. Wood carvings, wallpaper, textiles and columns with themes were common in both residential and commercial settings.
Get this look: Motifs have left their way back into interior layout today, and that means you won’t need to go far to get this look. Restrict yourself to an accent pillow or two, or go all the way with carved wooded doors and wall mounted designs. Greek keys, chevrons, fans and sunbursts can fit into an art deco area — just go for something bold and geometric.
Margeaux Interiors – Margaret Skinner
3. Mixing materials. Glass, mirror, chrome, stainless steel, gold and exotic woods can be seen in a single art deco room. Frequently these components emanate luxury — initial art deco designs utilized exotic animal skins, marble and ebony.
Get this look: Use a mirror to get this mixed-material look in your home without spending a lot of money. Look for a mirror using a self-beveled detail (such as the one in this picture) and stick to bold geometric shapes. Twist in certain stainless steel steel or wood to make the mixed-material seem even more obvious.
ABRAMS
4. High glow. Shine is crucial within an art deco home, so search for lacquer, glass, mirror and chrome to accent your space. Many art deco cloths have a reflective quality too. The perfect lighting can make all these stuff glow.
Get this look: For cheap glow, add a high sheen to one or all your walls. If you’re feeling very brave, add a clear coat of lacquer on top of your wall color for a few serious gloss.
5. Bold fabrics. There is a subtle femininity to art deco, but don’t be fooled into thinking it’s girly. Pretty florals are off limits in true art deco style. Bold geometrics and solid colors are often used for windows and furniture. Exotic animal skins find their way onto smaller bits, such as ottomans and cushions.
Get this look: Rich fabrics such as silk, velvet and leather clean and striking cuts will be able to allow you to attract the deco look into your home. If these cloths aren’t available on budget, poly blends and faux leather in dark, vibrant colors are able to help you get the exact same look.
Gleicher Design – Architecture & Interiors
6. Clean-lined furniture. Traditional deco furnishings are large with sleek, powerful and streamlined lines — a nod to modern design and production technologies of the 1920s.
Get this look: Stick with clean and easy kinds — nothing cuter or terribly chunky — highlighted with exotic wood bits, ivory or ivory components. If your budget is tight, then consider putting a mirror or mirrored tray on top of an present table for a few sparkle.
VOH Architects
7. Patterned flooring. Linoleum flooring made an appearance in the majority of residential houses in this time period. Large, geometric rugs were widely used. Larger commercial settings frequently needed a central layout made from metallic and marble details, using a comparable decorative edge.
Get this look: Linoleum and vinyl floors are still common today, as a result of their low cost and easy installation. Get creative with your setup by mixing tiles to create a dramatic pattern. If you don’t like the idea of linoleum, search for art deco patterns in different materials — such as the clay tile in this kitchen.
Rugo/ Raff Ltd.. Architects
8. Glamorous lighting. The light throughout the art deco era was sleek and striking, with bold but simple lines. Many fittings were made of glass and chrome, and so were etched or enameled with ancient themes for extra detail.
Get this look: Choose streamlined lighting with clean lines. Tapered chrome lamp bases with easy white or cream barrel shades, such as those in this area, pay a subtle tribute to the art deco era.
