Art Deco is a streamlined, geometric style which often includes furniture pieces with curved fronts, mirrors, clean lines, chrome hardware and glass. It is an eclectic style that combines traditional craft motifs with Machine Age imagery and materials. This elegant style began as a Modernist response in opposition to Art Nouveau style which featured elaborate, flowing natural forms plus female imagery and Tiffany lamps.
It affected all areas of the decorative arts and was considered very glamorous, elegant, functional, and modern. It quickly became a popular style for interior decorating.
Art Deco or Deco, is an influential visual arts design style. The term "Art Deco" is taken from the Exposition Internationale des Arts DécoratifsetIndustrielsModernes, which was a World's Fair held in Paris, France, in 1925, though the name was not used until after the 1960s.
Influence
Art Deco was a globally popular style and influenced architecture, interior design, industrial design, fashion, graphic arts, and cinema. The atmosphere of pre-World War I Europe was a major influence on this style, which was a reaction to the hasty societal and industrial advances of the early 20th century. Paris was the hub of Art Deco style. After a 1926 hurricane ravaged Miami, Florida, architects designed whole city blocks in the Art Deco style. This architectural experiment resulted in Miami's distinctive tropical influenced Art Deco design. Deco continues to inspire designers and is often used in contemporary fashion, jewelry, and toiletries.Characteristics of Art Deco Interior Design
Materials
Certain materials pop up again and again in art deco interior design: stainless steel, mirrors, chrome, glass, lacquer, inlaid wood, and even exotic skins like shark and zebra. Expensive materials such as ebony, marble, and rare woods are also often used, making some Art Deco pieces accessible only to the wealthy.Common Themes
There are several themes that occur regularly in Art Deco design.- Trapezoids
- Stylized animals
- Chevrons and zigzags
- Sunbursts
- Jagged, pointed edges inspired by skyscrapers (such as the Chrysler building)
How to decorate in the Art Deco Style
If you want to incorporate some elements of Art Deco design into your home, it's very easy to add one or two pieces, or to decorate a whole home in the distinctive style. Here are some guidelines to help you through the process.Colours
- Colours in Art Deco are striking and bold with a lot of contrasts. Bright and deep yellows, reds, greens, blues, and pinks mix well with silver, black and chrome.
- If you want something softer try creams and beiges which are also often used in living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms. These colours contrast beautifully with the polished wood and lacquered furniture common to the period.
Furniture
- Choose strong, streamlined shapes with no frills. Furniture made of exotic woods like zebrawood, as well as chrome and mirrored pieces are great options.
- Art Deco furniture tends to be large in scale so don't be afraid to buy big pieces. Sideboards, armoires, and generously sized chairs are all typical.
Fabrics
- Don't use any pretty florals or plaids in an art deco room. The fabrics in this style are usually either solid colors or geometric designs.
- For an added punch, try adding highlights with cushions in solid contrasting blocks of color. A key word to remember is "bold."
Walls
- Art deco is all about symmetry and balance which you could capture using wallpaper. Using a wall covering with a bold pattern looks great on just one wall rather than all walls within the room. So perhaps design yourself a deco feature wall but, remember to still create symmetry within the room.
- There are some fantastic deco images available in poster form, which make great artwork when framed and hung on smoothly painted walls. So look for some deco posters to create your own artwork. Assemble all your ideas onto your mood board.
- Mirrors are a big accessory so either big or small would make a great contribution to a wall in your room.
Floors
- Linoleum in abstract designs or black and white tiles are typical that look as a stunning feature, as are lacquered floors. Polished parquet is also perfect for flooring.
- Floors can be overlaid with large rugs in geometric patterns, which could help your designs come together and hold the room with a flare of a little something. However, the rug should be simple and not the star attraction.
Fireplace
Art Deco fireplaces were often constructed from concrete which unfortunately means that not many have survived today. The below images show an example of a polished cast iron fireplace which was a great addition to the deco home however it was expensive. The other is made of marble and has been cut to the design typical of the fashionable geometrical, linear look that represents this style.
Lighting
- Lights were often made of glass and chrome (which was a brand new material at the time). Glass was sometimes etched or enameled. White glass and coloured tiffany-style glass were also very common.
Accessories
Add decorative accessories such as geometric mirrors with shiny silver or chrome frames, vintage French Deco clocks, vintage radios and phonographs, vintage ceramic vases, Art Deco posters (vintage travel, jazz or advertising prints) and vintage framed art prints. Peacock feathers mixed with exotic flowers make an elegant floral display. Simple yet attractive window treatments include vinyl roller shades or wide slatted wood Venetian blinds.Indian Interior Design
Characteristics- Colour
According to Interiordesignipedia, a great way to get ideas for your colour palette is to look at the warm spices from India. These rich colors reflect the vibrancy of the country. For example, the following provides great colour palettes: curry powder, turmeric, cardamon, garam masala, and cumin. They look great next to crisp white. Stick to deep, burnt shades rather than bright, bold colours for a warm look. - Pattern
In addition to beautiful silks and fabrics, you could integrate pattern and textured finishes into your space. Tiles and mosaic tiles could be used, or simply hang fabric on your wall and this would act as part of your artwork. There are also numerous wallpapers available in ranges that suit this concept so take the time to look and mull it over. Paisley is often seen in Indian-styled patterns. - Floor
A polished concrete floor works great in modern, contemporary Indian interior design. Tiles, marble, and granite floors are traditionally found in Indian homes and you could also use a dark stained, timber floor. - Décor
There are a wide variety of accessories and furniture available that bring aspects of India into your home. Statues of Hindu Gods and Goddesses made from bronze, brass, wood or gold look fantastic placed around an Indian styled room. Elephants and deities of Buddha also add personality to your theme but as with all concepts, be careful to not over style your room. - Furniture
Dark, solid wooden furniture will really help to get this concept on the right track. Look for some interesting carved artwork or full panels for your space.
Create a Union of Retro and Modern
Many Art Deco furnishings fit in well with contemporary style design. If you're looking for a way to add some personality to a modern room, or you just want to add some interest and history to any space, Art Deco style furnishings, accessories and prints are the perfect way to do so. Include a hint of the Art Deco style in your contemporary home and give it an instant style upgrade.By incorporating these and other Art Deco elements into your décor, you can achieve the streamlined and modernist look of the Art Deco period.
References:
http://www.onlinedesignteacher.comhttp://www.interiordesignipedia.com/art-deco-interior-design.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/homes/design/period_artdeco.shtml
http://www.Art deco\Art Deco data\Art Deco Interior Design.html
http://www.Indian Interior DesignDwellCandy.html
http://www.Interior Design Styles - Modern, Contemporary, Art Deco, Urban.html
