What is Art Deco Style Furniture?
Art Deco is a diminutive for arts décoratifs, was first used in 1858 in France, and the term was coined in 1966. Art Deco style is a movement in visual arts and architecture that originated in the 1920s and was called “le style moderne” or “Jazz Moderne” during its initial days.
This style evolved into a popular style in the 1930s in Western Europe and the United States. The name of this style came from the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes, which was held in Paris in 1925, where it was first showcased. Decorative themes were derived from Egyptian, American Indian, and early classical sources, as well as from Mother Nature.
French furniture designers of that era, such as Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann, Le Corbusier, and Eileen Gray, were influenced by the Art Deco movement and adopted this style in the 1920s. Further, in the United States, Austrian-American designer Paul Theodore Frankl popularized Art Deco-style furniture with his adaptations.
The essence of Art Deco furniture is that it should lack decoration, and the crux of this style is built on the fact that “modern decoration has no decoration”. But this style is a marriage of luxury and modernity, with a symmetric look and vivid patterns that are pleasing to the eyes.
What are the Characteristics of the Art Deco Style?
In interior design, Art Deco is characterized by the presence of sun rays, foliage patterns, and animal motifs, all in acceptable forms. When it comes to Art Deco-style furniture, the distinguished features include:
- Simple and clean shapes with a streamlined look
- Geometric ornamentation and naturalistic patterns
- Man-made materials such as Bakelite, plastics, vita-glass, stainless steel, and ceramic
- Expensive materials such as ivory, silver, chrome, rock crystal, and jade
- Polychromatic fabrics and luxurious upholstery materials like silk, velvet, and leather
- Intricate inlay and marquetry work
What was Art Deco Influenced by?
Art Deco owes a lot to Art Nouveau and takes inspiration from other art forms such as the Bauhaus, Cubism, and Serge Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes.
Let us compare Art Deco and Art Nouveau:
Art Deco | Art Nouveau |
It was popular in Europe and the United States between 1920 and 1930. | It flourished between 1890 and 1910 throughout Europe and the United States. |
Art Deco is characterized by symmetry and clean structures. | Art Nouveau is characterized especially by asymmetry and elegant curves. |
It celebrates the modern machine and promotes geometric lines and sleek forms. | It is inspired by delicate natural objects such as flower stalks and buds, vine tendrils, and insect wings. |
Art Deco uses a wide variety of colors and metallic tones. | Color is not a defining feature of Art Nouveau, and mostly uses muted colors. |
What are the Popular Types of Art Deco Furniture?
Solid wood furniture in the Art Deco style has adorned living spaces, offices, and commercial settings. It combines symmetry and embellishments, lending a retro and sophisticated look to your home interior design. Here are some examples of how Art Deco furniture can be incorporated into different rooms:
1. Bedroom
- Create an elegant bedroom with wooden Art Deco furniture by selecting a bed frame with a headboard with plush cushioning.
- A diamond-tufted headboard will exude a bold Art Deco style to your bedroom.
- A combination of wood and metal for the bed frame is a fashionable choice to display Art Deco elements, as is a hand-carved headboard with delicate designs.
- You can also select a four-poster bed or a daybed enhanced by splashes of warm-hued pillows and throws for a delightful Art Deco look.
A clean-shaped nightstand and bedside table can bring Art Deco elements to your bedroom as well.
To complete the Art Deco look in your living space, stylize it with a distressed dresser along with a decorative mirror with a sunburst design for practicality and a stylish look.
A chest of drawers adorned with geometric patterns, such as a Mandala art form, or an armoire or wardrobe with ceramic embellishment will add to the Art Deco vibe.
2. Living Room:
The next time you renovate your living room, show off your luxurious taste with Art Deco-style furniture. Simple coffee tables and end tables in high-gloss finish and stylized hardware create an elegant Art Deco set-up.
However, you can also bring in this look with an ornamental coffee table with storage or an end table with accents.
Nesting coffee tables with sleek metal legs are a perfect fit. You can also decorate your living room with a hand-painted trunk by using it as a center table to highlight the Art Deco style.
Create a chic Art Deco style by gracing your living room with glamorous accent chairs featuring plush upholstery and bright colors. Alternately, select a sofa or couch with nailheads for a luxurious feel and festoon them with sequin cushions.
Opt for sleek console tables accentuated with soft floral carvings, TV stands, and entertainment units with parquetry designs to flaunt Art Deco style.
These patterns provide a perfect balance of form and functionality and enhance the appearance of your living room.
3. Dining Room:
Amaze your friends and family with your finesse as you host a party in a dining room stylized with Art Deco-style furniture. Entertain your guests with an Art Deco bar unit made of wood and metal that will add opulence to its tactile design.
Enliven the bar area with bar stools with ritzy upholstery, as well as bar cabinets with chevron patterns and fluted designs for a subtle Art Deco look.
Choose a dining table set with a sleek and simple design, brass inlays, or a marble top to boast Art Deco artistry.
Match a wooden pedestal dining table with bright and beautiful accent chairs to help give your space an unfailing Art Deco aesthetic. Complete the look with a bold chandelier.
Embrace an Art Deco look with kitchen cabinets and sideboards with veneer texture and black-lacquered wood.
You can consider credenza and sideboards that are incorporated with herringbone design or rattan cabinet doors and embellished metallic knobs and jazz them up with brass candlesticks.
4. Home Office:
Reveal your meticulous nature in your home office by picking up furniture that is elegant and efficient. A bookcase in Art Deco style will do wonders to maintain a clutter-free look.
Create a personalized workspace with a clean-lined writing desk and a leather rolling executive office chair that will add rustic charm with modern functionality in the Art Deco style.
What is the Influence of Art Deco in Recent Times?
Art Deco is a timeless style that remains popular in the 21st century. It has evolved to blend into urban landscapes, combining a variety of materials, textures, and patterns to create modern furniture pieces with a touch of vintage aesthetics.
The modern Art Deco style is characterized by the use of neutral and dark colors, geometric shapes, and delicate finishes that exude luxury and glamor.
It has moved away from the floral carvings, hand-painted materials, and excessive embellishments that characterized vintage Art Deco.
How to Take Care of Art Deco Furniture?
Taking care of furniture is very important to ensure longevity.
- Art Deco furniture often has metal fittings, accents, and frames. Clean these metal surfaces with a damp cloth, followed by a dry, soft cloth.
- You can polish Art Deco furniture with baby oil to protect the surface. Apply clear wax once or twice a year.
- In the event of a stain on fabric upholstery, use mild dishwashing liquid or white vinegar and rub gently with a cloth.
- Keep furniture with leather upholstery away from sunlight, and use paper towels to blot spills quickly. Avoid using any soap or detergent.
- Maintain your hand-painted Art Deco furniture by cleaning weekly with a damp, lint-free cloth and drying thoroughly.
Where to buy Art Deco Furniture?
Art Deco furniture allows you to capture a classic look in your home with its unique craftsmanship. Shop for Art Deco furniture at Sierra Living Concepts with ease from the comfort of your home. You can also place an order for a customized furniture piece by getting in touch with us.
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