How to decorate an apartment in art deco style?

Art Deco style delights with elegance, beauty and quality materials. Learn how to bring a touch of luxury and a hint of the golden 20s into your home, straight from footage from The Great Gatsby in 2013.

What does art deco mean? 

This is a combination of two words: art, meaning art, and decoratif, meaning decorative. Thus, literally translated, Art Deco means the art of decoration. The direction originated in the 20s and concerned not only painting and graphics, but also fashion, architecture and interior design.

Art Deco - what is this style? 

After the opening of the tomb of Tutankhamun in 1925, the artists became even more interested in the culture of Ancient Egypt. They were also inspired by natural motifs and the sophistication of the Rococo style. Elegant Art Deco was the answer to the messy Art Nouveau that promoted artistic excellence. 

The development of industrial design also influenced the flowering of this direction. This opened up completely new possibilities for creating furniture and decorations, not only in the interiors of apartments, but also on Hollywood film sets. Art Deco was shown on the screens of Hollywood cinemas.

What distinguishes an Art Deco interior? 

The determinants of Art Deco style in interiors, in particular, are:

1 # magnificence 

The style of the 20s is characterized by a passion for luxury, so the interiors of that time used high-quality materials, most often with a glossy or lacquered surface. Brass, marble, mother-of-pearl, Bakelite, silk and velvet were diligently used. For a modern take on Art Deco style, choose an elegant velvet upholstered pouffe on an openwork base for your living room or bedroom. It is elegant, expressive, but does not overload the interior.

#2 Consistency in arrangement and attention to detail 

Art Deco interiors are arranged in such a way that, despite the richness of forms, the composition forms a single whole. This way, the selected pattern appears in multiple places, and multiple patterns share the same color scheme. Not a single element of decor comes to the fore.

2 # Shape geometrization 

Furniture with a simple form, such as a Harper Gold bookcase, a coffee table with loft-style edges, or a console with high legs, Art Deco loves geometry. This style is also characterized by geometric patterns on fabrics such as pillows and carpets, and simple patterns on wall paintings.

3# Radiance 

There should be no shortage of mirror motifs in Art Deco arrangements. These can be picture frames and graphics, large mirrors of interesting shapes that illuminate dark interiors, as well as crystal glass.

4# Gilding 

Art Deco loves glamor and, of course, gold and gilding. When looking for furniture and fixtures in this color, you can opt for small gold shelves decorated with a geometric grid at the bottom. Gold accents also appear on wall decorations, woven wallpaper, or decorative tiled floors.

5# Gold and colors 

The color of gold is accompanied by the so-called royal colors, such as cobalt, emerald green, burgundy and purple. If you prefer more subdued tones, choose marsala, dusty pink, beige, or combine gold and gray for a subtle and cozy effect.

6 # Connecting the old to the new 

Art Deco combines antiques with modernity. Lush rococo, antique arches step by step turn into simple furniture, veneered or polished to a shine. Marble is accompanied by brass-colored metals.

Beliania Girard's golden and white set of two chairs combines the character of the XNUMXs in the form of an original back design with a modern seat. You can pair the chairs with a classic dining room table and you'll get the air of understated elegance that Art Deco is known for.

Where will the style of the 20s be embodied? 

Art Deco style will work in rooms of various nature. In a representative living room, she will attract the attention of guests with an original combination of furniture, textures, patterns and materials. In turn, the 20s-style kitchen, thanks to the shimmering fronts of the cabinets, finished with crystal handles, will acquire class and become the perfect continuation of the stylish living room. Thanks to the art deco style and its love of soft fabrics with shimmering textures, such as velor and satin, you can easily create a sophisticated bedroom that feels like a stylish boudoir.

Art Deco design 

Patterns include herringbone, diamonds, arches, zigzags, beams, piano key patterns, and even geometric floral motifs of flowers or ginkgo leaves. It is important to choose patterns in white, black and gold weave.

You can decorate one of the walls with stucco straight from the French apartments or with wallpaper reminiscent of ornate fabrics. The walls should also be filled with small formats such as posters, graphics or art deco-inspired gold and black geometric leaf designs.

Elegant furniture in the spirit of the 20s. 

Art Deco also includes rounded upholstered furniture embellished with deep stitching. In the living room, it could be an impressive sofa with rounded armrests floating on low dark lacquered wood legs. Comfortable chairs will come in handy for spacious interiors. Other essential seating furniture in a home space are quilted pouffes and benches that work well in the hall, in the bedroom behind the bed, or in the living room as a footstool.

Art Deco lighting 

The Art Deco interior is illuminated not only by golden elements, but also by matching lamps. If you have more space, opt for a trendy golden metal pendant lamp with a contemporary design featuring 6 radiating arms ending in matt white spherical shades of various sizes. It will fill the interior of the living room above the sofa, dining room or illuminate the kitchen island with beauty.

Art Deco decorations 

Nothing decorates the interior like the right decorations! Art Deco style is dominated by richly decorated accessories, such as carpets with gold threads or with animal patterns. Also popular are trinkets reminiscent of ancient artifacts - white shells with a clear embossed texture, arches, columns, decorative boxes, large vases, solar mirrors with a radiant frame.

What is it like? Do you want to turn your apartment into the scenery of the film "The Great Gatsby" and plunge into the atmosphere of the golden 20s? Or maybe you prefer subtle yet chic accents?

If you are looking for other useful tips, check out the section I Decorate and Decorate, and you can buy specially selected appliances, furniture and accessories in the new AutoCar Design zone.

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