Kate Wilson is a writer and fact checker for home decor and furnishings at Chosen Furniture. She enjoys splitting her findings with others.
What is Art Deco?
Art Deco, a 1920s-30s design movement in Europe and the U.S., is known for geometric shapes, sleek forms, and luxury materials like chrome and glass. It symbolized modernity, with influences from ancient cultures, and was applied to skyscrapers, ocean liners, and everyday items.
Why is Art Deco Important?
- Luxury Redefined: Sleek lines, exotic materials (think ebony and chrome!), and rich fabrics combine to create a timeless sense of elegance and sophistication.
- A Legacy of Style: Art Deco’s classic beauty endures over a century later. Its remarkable versatility flourishes in diverse environments, rendering it a preferred choice among designers and homeowners alike.
- Iconic and Unforgettable: This style boasts some of history’s most recognizable designs. Chairs like Eileen Gray’s “Egyptian Chair” and chests of drawers by Jean-Michel Frank are considered masterpieces.
- Function Meets Beauty: Art Deco isn’t just about glamour. Moreover, it emphasizes functionality and innovation. Trailblazers such as Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann and Jean-Michel Frank boldly ventured beyond conventions, harnessing novel materials and methodologies to craft harmoniously integrated form and function furniture.
- A Global Influence: Its impact extends far beyond furniture. Its presence manifests in the awe-inspiring skyscrapers of towering buildings, the abundant adornments within luxury vessels, and even the commonplace adornments such as adornments and timepieces.
In the realm of global influence, Art Deco furniture is a formidable presence in design worldwide. I see its mark everywhere—in the majestic structures of towering skyscrapers, the luxurious settings of high-end yachts, and the intricate craftsmanship of everyday objects like jewelry and timepieces.
Benefits of Art Deco
- Timeless, recognizable style – The bold geometric forms and sleek lines create an iconic, enduring look with immediate visual impact
- Embodies modern virtues – Art Deco continues to represent forward-thinking qualities like innovation, progress, and technological advancement
- Distinct glamor and luxury – Art Deco retains a sense of sophistication, status, and quality craftsmanship from exotic materials to crisp visuals
- Uplifting and optimistic – The style often features bright colors, grandeur, and visual harmony, giving it an upbeat, positive feeling
- Flexible across applications – Principles like symmetry and streamlining adapt well to various mediums such as architecture, graphic design, fashion, and decor.
Downsides of Art Deco
- Perceived as cold or impersonal – The sleek, hard edges and ornamentation without imperfections can feel sterile to some
- Not as widely accessible or affordable – The use of luxury materials limits availability to high-end commissions rather than mass production
- Risk of feeling dated – Since it was so tied to 1920s/30s modernity, some aspects now feel bound to that era. Too many period references can make Art Deco seem outdated if not updated
Different Types of Art Deco
Art Deco furniture encompasses a wide range of styles, reflecting the movement’s global influence and the diverse sensibilities of its designers. While some key characteristics remain consistent, there are distinct subcategories within Art Deco furniture design. Here are some prominent types:
French Art Deco: Originating in France during the interwar period, French Art Deco furniture is characterized by its elegant lines, geometric shapes, and luxurious materials. It frequently showcases the utilization of rare and exotic woods such as Macassar ebony and shagreen, intricately detailed carvings, and the application of marquetry and inlays. Notable French Art Deco furniture designers include Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann, Jean-Michel Frank, and Pierre Legrain.
American Art Deco: In the United States, the furniture had a slightly bolder and more streamlined aesthetic. American designers enthusiastically embraced chrome and stainless steel, skillfully crafting furniture with crisp angles, dynamic zigzag patterns, and geometric forms. Famous American Art Deco furniture designers include Donald Deskey, Gilbert Rohde, and Edgar Brandt.
Streamline Moderne: A distinguished subset within the movement, materialized during the 1930s, accentuating streamlined and aerodynamic forms influenced by the advent of contemporary transportation. Characterized by rounded edges, elongated proportions, and fluid, organic curves, this stylistic genre’s furniture epitomizes the era’s progressive spirit.
Visionaries in the Streamline Moderne realm, such as Raymond Loewy and Norman Bel Geddes, demonstrated unparalleled design innovation, producing furniture harmonizing with modern life’s dynamic cadence.
Tropical Art Deco: Incorporates motifs and inspirations from the natural world, particularly the vibrant colors and patterns in the tropics. It frequently showcases the incorporation of exotic hardwoods, motifs inspired by fauna, and ornamental details such as shell inlays and bamboo accents. Notable Tropical Art Deco furniture designers include Eileen Gray and Robert Mallet-Stevens.
Deco Exotic: This distinctive subcategory seamlessly amalgamates principles with diverse cultural and historical influences. This genre integrates motifs from Mughal, Egyptian, or Chinese aesthetics, employing opulent materials such as jade, ivory, and gold leaf to convey a sense of refined luxury and cross-cultural elegance. Deco Exotic furniture designers like Jean Dunand and Jean Puiforcat created luxurious and enigmatic pieces.
Interior designer Grant K. Gibson states, “Art Deco endures because it’s an optimistic style embracing modernity – it reminds us we can create beauty in everyday life through thoughtful design.”
What were the key influences and inspirations behind this furniture style?
Designers found inspiration from various sources. They were influenced by the sleek visuals of machines and the streamlining of new manufacturing techniques. Some influences also came from ancient cultures that symbolized luxury, like Mayan, Egyptian, and Greek/Roman motifs. Stylized animals and botanic forms also provided ornamentation. The various influences represented modernity, global connections, and the exotic.
Why does it continue to captivate people today
The style made modern design principles accessible through items people interact with daily, from luxury hotels to household appliances. This integration into everyday lifestyle allowed it to influence wider audiences globally. Its association with quality craftsmanship and prestige also helps it remain timeless. The sleek lines and geometric forms still feel sharp and contemporary. People are also drawn to the sense of optimism the style embodies.
What key elements characterize this visual style?
The most recognizable visual elements include sleek, streamlined forms, buildings with strong verticals/setbacks, geometric shapes like zigzags and chevrons, symmetrical designs, and exotic ornamentation from ancient cultures. This style also embraced rich materials like chrome, glass, lacquer, inlaid wood, and platinum. Bold colors, prismatic effects, and stylized motifs from nature and machines gave it its distinct look.
How did it impact architecture and design trends after the 1930s?
Art Deco declined in popularity during WWII but continued to influence more comprehensive design and décor trends. Its embrace of rich textures and asymmetry appeared in Mid-Century Modern styles. Corporate Modernism in the 1950s-60s also adopted its sleek, unornamented approach to glass skyscrapers. Postmodern architecture in the 80s again integrated more decoration and exotic historical references like Art Deco.
Streamlining also continued optimizing consumer products. Most importantly, Art Deco made Modernism and contemporary design principles accessible to the public through mass consumer items and public spaces.
More Reads
- Wikipedia: Art Deco
- 15 Tips About Art Deco From Industry Experts
- Art Deco Design: Tips for a Stunning Space
- Find Stylish Ideas on Pinterest
Kate Wilson is a writer and editor at Chosen Furniture. She has deeply loved home decor and furniture for as long as she can remember (and a newfound love for cappuccino) and enjoys sharing her finds with others. When not working, she loves listening to music, hanging out with his family, and exercising her creative side through oil painting.
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