Materials – marble, chrome, glass and velvet – play an important role in Art Deco interiors because their luxuriousness is a key part of the style. Statement patterns such as zigzags, sunbursts or herringbone are also integral to Art Deco design.
Saturated jewel tones like emerald green and sapphire blue are essential elements of this decor style, and brass accents and sleek metallic furniture add to the refined and polished feel.
Bright Colours
Interior design of this Art Deco movement includes strong angular shapes, symmetrical forms, and lush materials. To fill your home with this trend, select a few key pieces in neutral tones such as warm beiges or medium browns for a slick finish.
Go for it! Try using mustard yellow, deep blues or even black, but provide a balance with white or metallics.
Incorporate metallic finishes such as brass, chrome and gold, particularly in light fixtures such as sconces and other fixtures with these finishes; in furniture in these styles – marble countertops, table tops – finished off with upholstery and curtains in luxe fabrics such as velvet. Fluting – or designs imitating fluting – detailing in architectural trim or cabinetry, and perhaps in light fixtures or hardware, or a decorative border might all achieve this effect.
Gold & Brass Accents
Brass and chrome are essentials of any Art Deco look, in furniture legs, mirror frames, or decorative details, such as flatware, which shimmers with the just-right dose of sophistication.
Bold, bright colours are another characteristic of Art Deco styling, in deep blues and emerald greens or black and gold combinations, and could also be found in more traditional hues. Furniture – especially dark-toned wood pieces such as console tables or dining sideboards – could be included in this trend.
Another key feature of Art Déco design is the prevalence of pattern. Patterns comprised of hexagons, diamonds and chevrons were very popular for wallpaper and flooring. Embossed patterns offered a luxury accent in juxtaposition to a geometric scheme that might have utilised bold designs in tile patterns or the organisation of furniture.
Sconces & Print & Pattern
As a rule, Art Deco interiors feature geometry, symmetrical design, colour and texture (think rare exotic woods or polished stones such as marble), with a dash of chrome thrown in.
Art Deco decor revels in pattern: stylised versions of fans and flowers, abstract sunbursts or chevrons, jagged lines that mimic curved edges of a modern skyscraper. Bold decorative motifs like these are most effective when repeated – throughout a room or even a whole home by using wall art, floor tile, wallpaper or upholstery.
Choose textiles with depth of saturation, like velvet or silk. Or use tropical influences in lush floral and palm prints. Accent pieces in animal print are also a good option, but do use this motif sparingly; decorative screens and room dividers in exotic hardwoods or with animal prints are another option as a more subtle way to bringing Art Deco design into your spaces.
Geometrics & Texture
Marked by a strong emphasis on strong geometrical shapes and designs, eye-catching patterns and combinations of colours and textures that represent the exotic, Art Deco style often lends itself to a sumptuous atmosphere when used in an interior scheme.
Begin with rich jewel tones such as emerald green and navy blue, and emphasise metallic accents throughout. Dark wood, such as walnut, can further set the stage for this style; for a dramatic, statement-making effect, a big sunburst chandelier should also be part of the equation.
To succeed, there needs to be a marriage between many different elements and patterns, brought together by an agreeable colour palette. A monochromatic scheme that uses a different shade of the same colour will look luxurious and also calm. Add textured surfaces or art deco-inspired shapes such as trapezoids and chevrons into your tile positions, before giving your bar or bistro the sense of sophistication it needs with luxurious accent pieces such as decorative mirrors, gold candlesticks or antique clocks. It might be laborious to pull all these threads together at first, but after a bit of careful planning and attempt, you should be able to achieve that speakeasy feel.
