ART APRIL 27

2023
DECO
RESEARCH NO. 3: STYLES OF
INTERIOR DESIGN

N
H I O
S
F A
N T O Group 2:
I
N E D Aquino, Ken Aaron L.
R
T U Cruz, Airich Gabriel V.

I S M Gopez, Casey Mae A.

E R N Polong, Vanessa T.
O D Yasay, Elijah Micaela G.
M
CEA-o1-201P
Ar. Jerome Gacita
Table of Contents
ART DECO :
BACKGROUND & DEFINITION ........................................... 1

INTERIOR DESIGNER:
ÉMILE-JACQUES RUHLMANN .......................................... 4
JUAN ARELLANO .............................................................. 6

ART DECO :
FURNITURE ....................................................................... 7
INTERIOR FINISHES / MATERIALS ................................. 10

RERFERENCES ................................................................ 12
ART DECO

Background &
Definition
The art deco style, which mostly
represented modern technology,
was distinguished by geometry,
symmetry, and the use of bright
colors, making it immediately
identifiable.

Art deco is divided into two phases:

the luxury one and the time when
costly elements were replaced with
more cheap ones and the style was
simplified in general. Initially, Art
Deco is a luxury style (a reaction to
the austerity imposed by World War
I) employing expensive materials
such as silver, crystal, ivory, jade,
and lacquer. After the Depression it
used cheaper and mass-produced
materials such as chrome, plastics,
and other industrial items catering
to the growing middle class taste for
an elegant, glamorous, and
functional design style. The style
was well-known and widespread
leaving a legacy on the fields of
decorative arts and interior design.
The 1920s are strongly connected
with the first phase of Art Deco. Art
Deco was a well-known
international design movement. It
wasn't something that appeared out
of nowhere in the art scene. Instead,
it was a movement that had been in
Hollywood, the Great Gatsby, and
New York City's Chrysler Building.
The most prominent decorative arts
and architecture trend known as Art
Deco arose during this period of
wealth, extravagant spending, and
amusement. The style has become
linked with the roaring twenties due
to its fine craftsmanship, elaborate
embellishment, and wealthy
materials. So, what was the purpose
of the art deco movement, and how
did it vary from the other major
movements? Despite its current
appeal, what is it about art deco that
makes it so intimately identified
with the 1920s?

1
the works for years. The 1920s evoke
visions of jazz, flappers, old
ART DECO : BACKGROUND & DEFINITION
In 1925, the movement was formally
unveiled to the world. Europe was
left in ruins and faced a struggling
economy after the Great War.
However, in 1925, the French were
determined to put their terrible
history behind them and to give
people hope for a better and more
prosperous future.
As a result, they organized a fair
that highlighted the importance of
architecture and design in helping
societies rebuild from the
devastation of war. All items had to
display modernism in accordance
with the exhibition's regulations.
The fair is known as the
International Exhibition of Modern
Decorative and Industrial Arts in
Paris, after which the style is first
identified and the name "Art Deco"
originated.
The International Exhibition of
Modern Decorative and Industrial
Arts (French: Exposition
Internationale Des Arts Décoratifs Et
Industriels Modernes) was a world's
fair also known as a universal
exhibition or an expo, is a large
international exhibition showcasing
the new style modern of
architecture, interior decoration,
furniture, glass, jewelry, and other
decorative arts in Europe and
throughout the world.
Despite the absence of American
artists from the fair, the new style
quickly gained popularity in the US,
particularly in the field of
architecture. The movement quickly
extended outside of the United
States as well, becoming widely
accepted in nations including
Australia, India, Brazil, China, Great
Britain, Portugal, Cuba, and Russia.
Art Deco was characterized by
optimism, technological
advancement, and progress,
emphasizing modern and lavish
styles. It should come as no surprise
that post-war society welcomed it
with open arms, particularly the
wealthy and upper middle class,
who paved the way for better
entertainment and extravagant
luxury in the future.
Theaters, cinemas, ocean liners,
railroad stations, office buildings,
public buildings, and newly
constructed skyscrapers, such as the
Chrysler Building in New York City,
all adopted the Art Deco design. Even
the design of jewelry, silverware,
fine glass items, fashion
advertisements, theater and movie
sets, automobiles, and
commonplace items like radios and
vacuum cleaners were influenced by
it. But in contrast to the modernist
movements, art deco was a more
ornamental and symbolic statement
2
ART DECO : BACKGROUND & DEFINITION
of modernity, characterized by a
fusion of several ornamental forms.
Art Deco was influenced by several
fashion trends and art groups. The
geometric shapes of of Cubism and
De Stijl as well as the machine-like
forms of Constructivism and
Futurism, all had a significant
impact on the style. In addition to
classical antiquity, art deco also took
from Egyptian, Mesopotamian, and
Aztec Art. Traditional Chinese and
Japanese Art provided fresh sources
of stylistic elements for artists. Even
the Ballets Russes, particularly the
fascinating sets by Leon Bakst,
aspired to the best architects and
designers of the day.
The electrifying and sophisticated
Art Deco style, which peaked in
popularity in the 1920s, combined
expensive resources and expert
workmanship with a significant
modernization of traditional art
forms to depict wealth and
extravagance. There was nothing
inexpensive about this new fashion
at the time because the economy
was flourishing. People yearned for
speed, travel, automotive adventure,
and fashionable ocean liners. At
opulently adorned nightclubs where
they indulged in fun and booze,
people wore gorgeous dresses,
daring bob haircuts, and expensive
ornaments.
The paintings of one of the most
well-known art deco artists, the
Polish painter Tamara de Lempicka,
wonderfully represent this opulent
lifestyle. She mostly painted
portraits of the aristocracy of that
era, and her painting technique was
just as opulent as her subjects. She
uses vibrant colors, smooth textures,
clean, sensuous lines, and highly
stylized forms to create works that
capture the elegance, style, and
spirit of the Roaring Twenties. She
represented herself as an
independent lady of beauty, riches,
and style in her most well-known
piece, the 1925 "Self Portrait in the
Green Bugatti".
However, when the Great Depression
began to take hold in the 1930s, Art
Deco entered a second phase
characterized by restrictions and
restraint in the economy. The
aesthetic grew more austere, simple,
and restrained. The style was often
simplified and more economical
materials were used in place of
more expensive ones during the
second phase. France had been
leading the fashion world until the
United States took over.
3
ART DECO : INTERIOR DESIGNER
The aerodynamic design gave rise to
a brand-new architectural
movement known as streamline
modern. Less emphasis was placed
on vertical structures and more on
low, horizontal ones. Curves, long
horizontal lines, smooth, polished
surfaces, and the use of recently
introduced and more reasonably
priced materials like chrome,
stainless steel, and plastic were its
distinguishing features.
Following World War II, modernism,
which is primarily what we see
now, gained prominence, replacing
Art Deco's earlier glory. However, the
design was systematically revived
by architects and designers in
succeeding decades, and
continues to bring people as much
delight now as it did a century ago.
Today, there are several structures
all over the world whose interiors
echo the opulent art deco design,
such the Bar Americain in London,
the renowned P1 Club in Munich,
and Fitzgerald's room in the Plaza
Hotel at New York City.
Émile-Jacques
Ruhlmann
Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann designed
the Interior Bedroom of Baronne
Henri de Rothschild. He created
furniture and became capable of
fabricating entire interiors. He also
designed spaces that were
harmonious in terms of their use of
colors, textures, materials, and
craftsmanship.
"Harmonies: Intérieurs de
Ruhlmann" Portfolio was also his
published book showcasing a lot of
his interior works.
it
A retrospective exhibition featuring
his interior design and works was
held at the Pavillon de Marsan, a
part of the Louvre Palace, in 1934, a
year after his demise. Since then,
every significant Art Deco exhibition
held in the world has featured
Ruhlmann's creations, including the
most recent Ruhlmann: Genius of
Art Deco exhibition held at the
Metropolitan Museum of Art in New
York.
4
ART DECO : ÉMILE-JACQUES RUHLMANN

Other works: In the event The International

Fuseaux Cabinet Exhibition of Modern Decorative and
Industrial Arts was held in Paris in
1925, Ruhlmann's Salon of the Hôtel
du Collectionneur was displayed.
The Salon established Ruhlmann as
the founder of the French Art Deco
movement. It demonstrated his
ability to both create and design, to
see how his work would fit in with
others' in the home of a wealthy
collector. Also, it offered potential
clients a glimpse of his well-
established principles for combining
elegance and form in one's home.

This Fuseaux cabinet, created by

Ruhlmann in the first half of the
1920s, combines style and
functionality. Ruhlmann's
participation in the 1925
International Exhibition of Modern
Decorative and Industrial Arts in
Paris led to the company selling this
specific cabinet to the Metropolitan
Museum.

The Salon of the Hôtel du

Collectionneur

5
ART DECO : JUAN ARELLANO

The Manila Metropolitan Theater,

also known as MET, is an Art Deco
Juan Arellano building
Philippines
constructed
that has
in the
hosted

(1888 – 1960)
numerous performances including
plays, concerts, operas, and
musicals, located in Plaza Lawton in
Ermira, Manila.
Juan Marcos Arellano y de Guzmán,
also known as Juan M. Arellano, Other works:
was a Filipino architect best known Cebu Provincial Capitol
for designing Manila's Metropolitan
Theater (1935), Legislative Building
(1926; now houses the National
Museum of the Philippines), the
Manila Central Post Office Building
(1926),the Central Student Church
(today known as the Central United
Methodist Church, 1932) the Negros Central United Methodist Church
Occidental Provincial Capitol (1936),
the Cebu Provincial Capitol (1937),
the Bank of the Philippine Islands
Cebu Main Branch (1940), Misamis
Occidental Provincial Capitol
Building (1935) and the Jones Bridge
during the pre-war era.
Manila Central Post Office Building

Manila Metropolitan Theatre

Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol

6
ART DECO : FURNITURE

Art Deco Furniture

Art Deco Furniture: Style and
Characteristics

High-end modern Art Deco furniture

was meticulously crafted into
refined forms, using ebony and
exotic woods manufactured with
traditional methods like veneering
and marquetry. Art Deco furniture
was always polished, and Japanese
lacquer was often used to achieve a
shiny finish. Besides peculiar wood,
expensive materials like ivory,
wrought iron, and glass were also
Waterfall Furniture
gracefully used by designers of the
era.
A pair of late 1930s Art Deco
waterfall design walnut and
Art deco furniture is characterized
matched burl nightstands.
by symmetrical, clean, rectilinear
Distinguishing features of waterfall
lines. It combines traditional
furniture are the rounded drops at
craftsmanship with modern
the edges of all horizontal surfaces,
machinery and materials. Its beauty
created to mimic a flowing
lies in the use of rich, exotic
waterfall. It was widely popular in
materials and opulent designs. This
the late 1930s and early 1940s when
luxurious style of furniture was
waterfall furniture was produced
specifically designed for wealthy
primarily for the mass market and
manufacturers who wanted their
often in poor quality. This pair of
own distinctive line.
late 1930s walnut burl nightstands is
a delightful exception.
Exotic Woods

Art Deco desk entirely covered with

Macassar ebony veneer. Chromed
metal handles and lock entries.
French work from ca. 1930. The Art
Deco era meticulously crafted
furniture made of rich, exotic woods
such as ebony or lemonwood, or
zebrawood
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ART DECO : FURNITURE
Lacquer
Lacquered Art Deco furniture from
the 1920s. Art Deco craftsmanship
often involved applying several
coats of lacquer for a delicate finish,
giving a smooth sheen and a
timeless look to the piece.
Marquetry
Art Deco furniture dating ca. 1925.
Wardrobe made of walnut,
Macassar ebony with marquetry
possibly by Bath Cabinet Makers.
Marquetry refers to the technique of ​
forming geometric bandings and
intricate designs out of different
kinds of wood such as boxwood,
satinwood, ebony, or even ivory.
Traditional, natural marquetry
patterns are prominent features of
pieces of furniture of the era.
Leather
Winston leather club chair from ca.
1930s. Rich leathers were also used
for manufacturing armchairs, club
chairs, and sofas, making such
pieces a handsome addition to a
stylish living room, office, or den.
Club chairs usually had a tight back
design, rolled arms, and square
tapered legs made of premium
leather combined with handcrafted
hardwood.
Mirrored Furniture
Mirrored Art Deco Credenza /
Cabinet by Ello after Pierre Cardin or
Paul Evans
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ART DECO : FURNITURE
Wood Inlay
Wood inlay was a very popular
furniture style during the Art Deco
era. This style can be seen in classic
Art Deco sofas and armchairs
Metal
Art Deco Chrome and Wood Rolling
Liquor Cabinet. This was most easily
achieved by using metal accents and
finishes.
Luxurious Embellishments
Desk by French furniture designer Léon
Jallot - Chinese lacquered solid oak
with a shagreen mosaic desk top, ivory
drawer pulls and feet clad in silver-
toned bronze. Art Deco furniture pieces
would have added accents of luxurious
stones, quartz and jewels. Some of the
more popular accents were onyx, jade,
ivory and murano glass. Interior accent
pieces like lamps, chandeliers, wall
clocks and radios would contain
elements such as these as well. All of
the pieces together would create a very
rich, modern and overall luxurious
look.
Art Deco Furniture
A grand example of an Art Deco
Dining Table and matching dining
chairs from the 1930s. The table and
chairs are typically finished in high
quality figured Walnut veneers.
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ART DECO : INTERIOR FINISHES / MATERIALS

A pair of Art Deco ‘Easy’ Arm Chairs

produced by Heal & Son. The
sweeping Arm design made this
style of chair iconic today.
Interior Finishes /
Materials
Traditionally, Art Deco schemes
feature glossy and reflective finishes
such as mirror, glass and metal as
well as polished or lacquered wood.

1. MIRROR

Adorning a mirrored feature with

geometric or sunburst motifs
An example of French Art Deco
enhances the luxury Art Deco
bedside cabinets. Note the use of
aesthetic.
Walnut and Marble to provide a
grand finish.

Above is examples of Art Deco style

Bedside Cabinets, A Console / Hall table
and Occasional Tables, produced from 2. GLASS
the mid to late 20th Century. Note the
use of slightly different woods, such as reflect light and epitomize the
light Walnut and Birdseye Maple. Deco glamour and opulence of the Art
style furniture is typically finished with Deco style.
a glossy lacquer to enhance appearance
and is a little more over the top with
shape and form compared to the
original furniture.

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ART DECO : INTERIOR FINISHES / MATERIALS

3. Metal Silver

applying metal finishes to fitted

furniture and interior joinery
integrates the Art Deco principles
into the surrounding space and
architecture. The application of
metal inlays can create custom
kitchens and fitted furniture that
embody the Art Deco style, whether
by framing door details or the
application of geometric patterns.

Mostly, chrome, brass, and silver 4. Polished / Lacquered Wood

are found in art deco when using
metal. For a classic interpretation,
furniture is lacquered in black or
white, while deep or pastel toned
Chrome lacquer adds a contemporary twist
to create a personal rendition of the
style.

Brass Timber

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ART DECO : REFERENCES
References
Art Deco Design Style: Origins, History,
Characteristics. (n.d.).
http://www.visual-arts-
cork.com/history-of-art/art-deco.htm
Keener, K. (2020). Art Lesson: The
history of Art Deco. Art Critique.
https://www.art-
critique.com/en/2020/02/art-deco-art-
lesson/
"Art Deco Interior Design History."
Study.com, 8 September 2016,
study.com/academy/lesson/art-deco-
interior-design-history.html
Curious Muse. (2021, September 3). Art
Deco in 9 Minutes: Why Is It The Most
Popular Architectural Style? [Video].
YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=ZHF7vnbZD8Q
Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann | “Harmonies:
Intérieurs de Ruhlmann” Portfolio | The
Metropolitan Museum of Art. (1924). The
Metropolitan Museum of Art.
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/colle
ction/search/492726
Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann Paintings,
Bio, Ideas. (n.d.). The Art Story.
https://www.theartstory.org/artist/ruhl
mann-jacques-emile/
Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann – Ruhlmann.
(n.d.). http://ruhlmann.info/e-j-
ruhlmann/
Juan Arellano - Biography. (n.d.).
https://www.askart.com/artist/Juan_M
arcos_Arellano/11012534/Juan_Marcos_A
rellano.aspx
Hencz, A. (2022). Art Deco Furniture:
Style & Characteristics. Artland
Magazine.
https://magazine.artland.com/art-deco-
furniture-style/
Etynkowski, M. (2021). Art Deco
Furniture — Art Deco Style. Art Deco
Style. http://artdecostyle.ca/art-deco-
style-blog/art-deco-furniture
Guy. (2016). Art Deco Furniture – A Brief
History. Lots 2 Like. https://www.lots-2-
like.co.uk/antiques/art-deco-furniture-
a-brief-history
Wing, J. (2023, March 25). Art Deco
Design & Luxury Interiors | Behind The
Style. Extreme Design.
https://www.extreme-
design.co.uk/journal/art-deco-design-
and-architecture/
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