The Art Deco Historic District has the nation’s largest concentration of Art Deco architecture which features over 900 historic buildings. (Source)

New Inspiration for a New Decade

Already it seems like 2020 is flying by (February?!), but if this last month is any indication, it’s going to be a great year. My longtime friends kicked off the new decade with a Roaring Twenties New Years Eve party dressed to the nines as flapper girls and zoot suiters, harkening back to the fabulous styles of a century ago. Since that party, I can’t help noticing Art Deco flair everywhere I look -- I’d like to thank my friend Terri’s dazzling, fringed purse for nudging me towards this recent Roaring Twenties inspiration, 21st-century style.

The purse, the shoes the “fur” stole —Terri’s outfit has it all!

Historical Connections

The 1920s Art Deco period of design, sandwiched between World War I and World War II (1910-1939), has always been one of my favorite design periods, and the New Year’s Eve party really got me thinking about it. It wasn’t until recently, however, that I was aware of the personal connections I can make to it.

While researching the period, I was thrilled to discover that “Art Deco” was born in Paris, France--my mother’s hometown! The World’s Fair held in Paris in 1925, or, more formally, the “exposition internationale des arts décoratifs et industriels modernes” (International Exhibition of Modern Decorative & Industrial Arts), is the source of the term “Art Deco.” After that Exposition Internationale in 1925, the Art Deco movement really began taking the world by storm. Trop bien!

Since then, Art Deco style designs can be found in all corners of the world. In fact, I had no idea how close I have been to an exceptional Art Deco piece. A few years ago, we traveled to Brazil and Rio de Janeiro (one of my favorite South American cities!). It is a city full of great design, right down to the sidewalks:

Art Deco in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

I also learned that the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue is an Art Deco statue. Perhaps not many people know that it is of the Art Deco movement (I certainly didn't!). Built from 1922 to 1931, the statue was created by French sculptor Paul Landowski, constructed by Brazilian engineer Heitor da Silva Costa alongside French engineer Albert Caquot, (more French connections!). This statue lands squarely at the height of Art Deco design and, obviously, has stood the test of time incredibly well. What a testament to this era of design and how it can be evoked in so many different ways.

The long lines created by Christ’s outstretched arms and the repeating vertical folds created out of soapstone (another nod to Art Deco: the use of luxurious materials!) of his cloak contribute to the simple, streamlined design.

Who wouldn’t be inspired by these views all over the city?

Bringing Art Deco Home

I love Art Deco design for how beautifully it blends so many different materials, textures, and patterns (from seemingly unrelated styles) to create stunning pieces, and I enjoy helping clients infuse some of these iconic looks into their spaces. While it might seem that Art Deco pieces don’t fit a particular vision for a room design, I promise there is a piece for everyone within the Art Deco family!

After its initial debut, the Art Deco style faded a bit before having a revival in the 1960s. Remember Terri’s fringed purse? Check out just how reminiscent it is of this 1960s Jakobsson lamp (that would fit fabulously in rooms today!).

Following that decade, the style again faded, but I’d argue we are on the cusp of another Art Deco design sweep.

I’m drawn to Art Deco pieces and designs for how simple lines result in stunningly beautiful designs. Every angle designed with precision to create something not only functional but visually creative and unique. The math just works for Art Deco pieces, and as a recovering accountant, I’m partial to designs where scale and proportions are top-priority concerns.

Art Deco in High Point, North Carolina

The French Heritage Showroom in High Point, NC is one of my favorite showrooms. Now that I know the history of Art Deco, its name is even more meaningful to me! French Heritage creates some excellent pieces that can easily be traced to Art Deco inspiration -- specifically, the most pointed nod to the era is their Facet collection made in collaboration with designer Michelle Workman. Here are four of my favorite pieces:

Breaking It Down

1. What makes this bar so great is… well, firstly, did you even suspect it was a bar?! (Check out the photo below!) This piece is a great example of how Art Deco design celebrates modern life and emphasizes luxury and sophistication. Secondly, the materials: the deep blue lacquer finish, the polished brass accents and the projection of the large round door handles offset by the detail of angled inlaid brass accents. Simple lines and one circle combine with beautiful materials to create a memorable piece that’s not only beautiful but also functional.

2. This streamlined dresser is exceptional for the chevron pattern created by stained wood. Art Deco designs commonly use elements like geometric shapes, often in the form of zigzags or chevrons (the upside-down V forms), like on this dresser. There is no visible hardware to open the dresser doors, which adds to the seamless design. The piece is really brought into the 21st century with the hidden, magnetic door closures that make this piece so sleek.

3. The Art Deco era really emphasized vertical lines and smooth streamlined surfaces and often used bold colors and high contrasts, which this desk and chair combo really demonstrate. The curvaceous purple chair and chevron-patterned wood and chrome-accented writing desk ticks all those boxes. Who wouldn’t want to write a letter from this elegant ensemble? All you need is a fancy fountain pen!

4. Big furniture pieces aren’t the only Art Deco era designs that can make a statement. Animal-inspired designs are common with Art Deco, including this seahorse statue. The simple, but strong, straight lines of the horse's mane and ear, the elongated head, the luxurious gold finish and the fantastical subject matter instantly signal that this artwork was Art Deco-inspired.

I love French Heritage’s take on Art Deco so much, I’ve taken a piece home for myself! This console table is in our family’s beach house and effortlessly adds a hint of glam to the foyer with its slender legs, blending seamlessly with the staircase banister, all while displaying some of my favorite pieces of art in the house. It’s the first thing people see when they come in the front door, why not make a statement?

I also ran into several Art Deco-inspired designers and pieces at the semi-annual High Point Market for the interior design industry. One of the hallmarks of the Art Deco design era are bold colors, patterns, and prints. This is something that designers at High Point Market really emphasized. I was blown away by this display room at the Bernhardt Furniture showroom, featuring Schumacher fabrics.

While it seems like there is a lot going on pattern-wise, every single pattern and texture link it to another item in the room. See how the black and white cabana striped sofa ties to the fabulous wall silhouettes? Or how the sofa’s fabric evokes the more subtle stripes on the chair’s tiger print? That’s one thing to remember with Art Deco: the more that draws the eye, the better. Could you live with this ensemble in your sitting room or library? Go bold or go home!

Finding Nature in Art Deco Design

One facet of the Art Deco era that I love to highlight are the themes that many designers use -- one of which being animals (like the seahorse statue). In the photos below, I would love to play with the giraffe lamp (4) or fish vase (1) on either the console table (2) or the buffet (3). I am enamored with the symmetrical, sweeping curved legs on the white table (2), and coupling it with the bubbly curves on the fish vase (1) creates an oceanic effect.

The zigzag lines of the intricate wood inlaid doors of the buffet (3) work beautifully with the engraved horizontal lines on the brass handles. I love the tribal look of this piece -- it would work great with the whimsical giraffe lamp (4). What do you think? Could you see this in your living room?

I love the really straight lines of the fireplace grate connecting these intentionally misshapen pieces of bright brass, creating a web of simultaneous “empty” and filled space.

Put either of those combinations in a living room with this funky fireplace screen and you’ve created a dream Art Deco-influenced space with a lot of bling!

This folding room divider is another piece I would love to add to a room. The large repeated mirrored and glass squares on the long rectangular panels are what make it really Art Deco; the bold heavy linear brass frame with the clear, crisp glass creates such a striking piece to be placed somewhere in a room to be the center of attention.

I found all of those pieces at High Point Market -- you can see why it’s one of my favorite to-the-trade design shows to go to each year.

Designers Do Art Deco

How would you use some of these pieces in a room? Remembering that a signature feature of Art Deco is strong color and contrast, and an emphasis on luxury, I’ll show you a couple of rooms that really wow me. These are the kinds of designs I am attracted to when I think “Art Deco,” and where I go when I need some inspiration. Take a look at this one from designer Mary McDonald:

The turquoise is so striking, but what I’m drawn to is how the brass accents here and there highlight easily overlooked pieces of this room design, like the bookcases and cabinet window panels. The floor alone is a statement piece, but the combination of those curves and straight lines to mimic the curves of the chairs and striking edges of the desk brings it all together.

In fact, the brass in that desk lamp is just fantastic and easily incorporated into so many different types of rooms. So simple, yet elegant with the straight tubular base leading up to the strong, rounded edges of the shade. As a designer, one of my favorite jobs is sourcing hard-to-find pieces for my clients. For a client looking at this room and wanting to bring Art Deco home, I’d start with that desk lamp. This light from Wildwood Lamps is the start of a beautiful design!

Dramatic entrances seem to be on my mind. I could stare at this foyer designed by Marie-Anne Oudejans for hours, finding new things to add to my “must try” list:

From the matching chairs with alternating upholstery to the curved legs on the center table, this blue, black, and white room captures everything I admire about the Art Deco era. I’d love to host a cocktail party with guests seamlessly flowing from this room to the outdoor patio!

I notice Art Deco designs everywhere, and I’m excited to have shared it with all of you so you can begin noticing too. Don’t forget to see some of my colorful projects here and contact me if you want to add some inspired design to your home!

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THE ROARING TWENTIES & ART DECO: A 21ST CENTURY REVIVAL

New Inspiration for a New Decade