Art Deco interior design style

Table of contents

Definition …………………………………………………………………….. 1
History …………………………………………………………………………2
History examples ………………………………………………………………3-4
Main characteristics in architecture ……………………………………………5
In interior design …………………..…………………………..…......…...........6-7-8-9-10
Furniture …………………………..…………………………………………...11
Furniture by famous artist/manufacturing company …………………………..12
Furniture and textures……………………………...…………………………..13-14
Color scheme …………………………………………………………………..15-16
Summary………………………………………………………………...…......17
 Art Deco - Definition:

• Art Deco is an architectural style that primarily incorporates the trends of French Art Nouveau
and English aesthetic design, but also contains elements of the genre of art and crafts.
• In this period, noting that the industrial revolution took place in the latter half of the 18 th century
and upon the emergence of large-scale production, artists and designers sought to improve the
look of mass- produced functional objects. The search for beauty in Art Deco in all areas of life
reflected clearly the apparent newness and vast use of machine –age technology, rather than
conventional methods of design to create many artifacts.
• Also focused on industrial design is the Bauhaus school, thus the Bauhaus school abstained from
artistic ornamentation, preferring clean and plain geometric lines.
• Historians suggest that it should not be classified as an unique look because of it’s divers sampling
from so many other design styles. Yet it has enjoyed recurrent popularity, and contributed to later
developments in designs.

By Joelle Maatouk 1
 Art Deco - History:

• The exact date when Art Deco became an official style varies from one source to another as it’s
believed that many of its characteristics where found in different aspects in Paris around 1920. Yet
we can generally say that in 1925, following the international exhibition of modern decorative and
industrial arts, was showcased this new design style; a lavished display of prosperity excessive
ornamentation and limitless production.
• The first widely considered Art Deco building was the American radiator building in New York
city designed by Raymond Hood.
• Art Deco was used on structures which become iconic in the 1930’s. Renowned skyscrapers like
the Chrysler building (1930) the Empire State Building (1931), the Rockefeller Center (1935) are
all representations of art deco architecture.
• Art deco was highly influenced by the modern art movements from impressionism to cubism.
Inspired by Japanese and Chinese art, that where popular in the modern era; this style emphasized
highly ornamentations and embellishments.

By Joelle Maatouk 2
 Art deco – History examples:

American radiator building in New York Chrysler building New York by William
city designed by Raymond Hood Van Alen
By Joelle Maatouk 3
 Art deco – History examples:

bullocks wilshire department store. L.A by Frank Eden Teatro Lisbon, by Cassiano Branco
Donlad D. Parkinson, Jhon Parkinson, Paul Laszlo
By Joelle Maatouk 4
 Art Deco – Main characteristics in architecture.

 Strong vertically directed.

 Usually the stepped-back rooftop stage ends

in a tower, instead of a plain roofline with
superimposed cornice.

 Piers or stylized columns formed through

recessing of windows and spandrels.

 Fenced windows with recessed ornamental

panels, known as spandrels, above and
below windows. Vertical formation.

By Joelle Maatouk Manchester unity building 5

 Art Deco – In interior design.
Tracing back in time of the original Art Deco work

Sunburst

Shiny surfaces and symbols

Geometry, symmetry,

Sleek lines

Dramatic patterns

Patterned tiling
By Joelle Maatouk 6
 Art Deco - In interior design.
• Tracing back in time of the original Art Deco work:

• Ceiling treatment: The ceiling centered light diffusion area always featured the sunburst element of
design; the surface of this fixture and its surrounding were mostly shiny indicating the glow of the
sun.

• Walls treatment; the walls usually featured geometry motifs with a symmetrical design from a side
to another, always taking into consideration the sleek neat vertical lines.

• Floor treatment: the tiling mainly formed different patterns, always in the view of straight lines and
color contrast.

By Joelle Maatouk 7
 Art Deco - In interior design.

By Joelle Maatouk 8
 Art Deco - In interior design.

In recent designs, much of the criteria that existed in the Art Deco phase persist , and the must have
features for this style are the following:

1- The integration of reflective shiny materials; and that refers to mirrors/ glass /shiny metal surfaces
Stainless steel ,chrome and gold inlaid elements; this can be found in either the accessories that are
much used or the furniture itself.
2- The bold geometry patterns whether found in the decorative elements, textiles or even on wall
decoration.
3- The distinguished flooring tile patterned that are often in black and white.

By Joelle Maatouk 9
 Art Deco - In interior design.

Shiny reflective materials

Bold geometry pattern

Mirrors

Lots of décor elements

Stylized texture patterns

Glass topped coffee table

Most often black and white patterned tiles

By Joelle Maatouk 10
Art Deco - Furniture
• Due to the large scale production and the search for uniqueness;
Furniture that was created during the early years of Art Deco intended to be costly, different and luxurious.
• The major stores in Paris formed decoration departments in the 1920's to provide consumers
with everything from large pieces of furniture to light fixtures and cocktail sets; the more lavished, shiny and
sophisticated the better it suits this design
The must have furniture features for this style are the following:
• The sleek stylized sunburst light element.
• Loads of accessories: on wall or on flat surfaces yet all these combined with the sleek lines of wall and
furniture.
• Symmetry in furniture and decorative components.
• The pieces of furniture are usually of large scale, shaped in neat straight lines, highlighted with textured or
patterned cushions yet with a simple contour and no frills, in addition to the shiny topped table that might be in
marble or glass
• A large scale patterned rug in black and white complete this art deco stylized room.
By Joelle Maatouk 11
 Art Deco - Furniture: by famous artist/manufacturing company in that era

By Jules Leleu
By Jacques Adnet
By Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann

By Jacques Adnet By Hille By Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann 12

Art Deco – Furniture and textures

Sleek stylized Sunburst lighting fixtures

Sleek lines

Excessive use of mirrors

Paired lighting fixtures

streamlined shapes + patterned cushions with no

frills
Big scale size furniture
Shiny bright surfaces

Big geometrical patterned rugs 13

 Art Deco – Furniture and textures

By Joelle Maatouk 14
 Art Deco – Color scheme

• The palette of black, gold, silver/chrome and white defines Art Deco’s expensive and luxury style.
• Nevertheless bold yet rich comforting colors go aside as a perfect combination with these classy
colors and add a contrast to the space.
• On the other hand relaxed shades of colors are applied specially in bedrooms while contrasted with a
bold furniture color.

By Joelle Maatouk 15
 Art Deco – Color scheme

By Joelle Maatouk 16
 Art Deco – Summary

• Art Deco style is distinguished by angular and

geometric shapes, exotic fabrics and linear décor.

• The style is solid and bold with no fussiness or drama

in sight.

• Reflective and high end material where mainly used in

art deco: stainless steel, chrome, glass, mirrors, inlaid
wood and exotic skins. In addition to marble and
ebony.

• Art Deco featured different interior themes; and that

reflected the patterns and colors used in each design.
To name few of those themes: leaves, branches, and
feathers. Nudes, trapezoids, stylized animals, chevrons
and zigzags.
By Joelle Maatouk 17