Geometry Meets Glamour – Celebrating 100 Years Of Art Deco
From the roaring 1920s to today’s modern revival, Art Deco has captivated the world with its bold glamour and refined geometry. Exactly 100 years on from the birth of this celebrated style, Art Deco remains a treasure trove of inspiration. In this blog, we’ll be taking a closer look at the genesis of Art Deco, plus giving you some great tips for enjoying it in your 21st century home.
The core principles of of Art Deco
At the core of Art Deco is a love of harmony and order. Art Deco designs are often symmetrical, with repeated patterns and strong geometric shapes like zigzags, chevrons, and shells. These structured forms create a sense of confidence and clarity, making every space feel deliberate and bold.
Art Deco is uncompromisingly glamorous. The style embraces luxurious materials including polished wood, marble, brass, chrome, lacquer, glass, and velvet to evoke elegance and drama. Even when used sparingly, these materials bring texture and drama to interiors, reflecting the excitement and energy of the Jazz Age.
While decorative, Art Deco design avoids clutter. Every detail, from sculpted moldings to inlaid patterns, is meant to enhance the overall harmony of a space. The principle is clear: ornamentation should elevate, not overwhelm, combining artistry with function to create beauty in everyday living.
Art Deco takes the stage
In the aftermath of the First World War, the world called out for progress, elegance, and optimism. To meet those needs, Art Deco was born. A dazzling style that debuted on the global stage at the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes in Paris, this is the style of Gatsby, Brideshead Revisited and Jeeves and Wooster.
Rooted in a diverse array of influences including Cubism, Futurism, African art, Bauhaus, and even ancient Egyptian motifs following the 1922 discovery of King Tut’s tomb, Art Deco is sleek, symmetrical, structured, and unapologetically modern.
Spanning the globe, Art Deco can be found in New York’s Chrysler Building, the Palais de la Porte Dorée in Paris and across Mumbai which is home to the world’s second-largest concentration of Art Deco buildings.
Top tips for a modern Art Deco space
1. Use bold geometric patterns
Incorporate symmetry and sharp angles in curtains, blinds, rugs, or tile designs. Popular designs include geometrics patterns, chevrons, sunbursts, stepped forms, and fan shapes.
2. Opt for luxurious materials
Use materials that interact with light. Velvets, chrome, glass, mirrored surfaces and metals are all superb choices. Art deco used ivory and animal skins, but there are more ethical alternatives available including ivory coloured fabrics and animal prints which are equally impactful.
3. Choose strong, contrasting colours
Black and white is a classic base. Rich tones like emerald green, sapphire blue, ruby red, and gold or silver accents create drama and excitement – ideal for Art Deco inspired spaces!
4. Incorporate statement lighting
Use bold chandeliers or sconces with geometric shapes or tiered designs. Look for materials like frosted glass, chrome, and etched patterns. For something more affordable, add metal inners to your lamp shades to let the light sparkle.
5. Furnish with sleek, streamlined pieces
Choose furniture with curved edges or angular lines, often with inlaid wood or metal detailing. Think elegant, functional, and slightly theatrical.
For 100 years, Art Deco has excited and inspired countless people around the world. Whether your home is of the period or brand new, you can enjoy the majesty of this trend as thousands have done for the last century. To furnish you with even more inspiration, we’ve created a Pinterest board celebrating all things Art Deco, and made a special collection of Art Deco inspired products!
Shop some of our favourite Art Deco products:
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