Art Deco style is a mixture of neoclassicism and modernity. Its main distinguishing feature is luxury and high cost, felt in all surrounding objects. The style appeared in the first half of the 20th century in France and strongly influenced the architecture, fashion and painting of that time.
Art Deco was gaining popularity very quickly. Soon the style began to spread around the world, gaining more and more fans. It became most relevant in the post-war years. Rather, it was a response to the involuntary popularity of minimalism and even asceticism that surrounded people during the difficult war years. Today, art deco does not lose popularity and is often used to complete the design of apartments and houses, as well as the equipment of hotel rooms, restaurants and other public places.
The emergence of art deco and its spread in the world
A new design direction that had a strong influence on the fine and decorative arts appeared after an exhibition held in Paris in 1925, which was called Art Deco. It was organized with the aim of reviving the luxurious, chic life, to which everyonefinancially unstable post-war France tried to return in all possible ways. When other European states managed to stabilize the situation by restoring the industry and economy, this country decided to go a little different way.
Art Deco style has become a kind of starting point in art, architecture and even fashion. Perhaps, if it were not for the hard life during the war, he would not have deserved such great fame. But artists, fashion designers, designers and architects, deprived of the opportunity to enjoy luxury for a long time, seized on this thread as a lifeline. The huge popularity in France allowed art deco to reach a new level - international, and quickly gain recognition in many countries, including the Soviet Union.
Together with the development of art deco in the 1920s, scientists and people from different countries began to travel more, discovering new places on the planet and getting to know ancient civilizations. So, at this time, the tomb of Tutankhamen was found. In addition, during the excavations, scientists learned a lot about the cultures of lost civilizations - Ancient Egypt, Assyria, Babylon. Many elements of the life of the ancient inhabitants became part of the Art Deco style. Therefore, ethnic motifs can often be seen in interiors.
The popularity of art deco did not bypass the USSR. Today it can be observed in the old houses of the Stalin era. Even some metro stations are built in this style, taking into account its characteristic shapes, lines and features.
Characteristics and features of Art Deco
The main difference in style isluxury and high cost. Art Deco may seem pretentious, but this is precisely what makes it special. It necessarily includes modern motifs. Unlike modern, characterized by smooth lines, ornate, art deco is the exact opposite, where sharpness is found in almost everything. Meanwhile, the lines are even and clear. There is angularity, and instead of floral motifs, geometric and abstract patterns.
Important style features: Art Deco shapes and motifs
This design uses different lines. Their main role is to highlight the brightest, most luxurious and expensive interior details. For example, if we are talking about an art deco living room, then it can be wallpaper with gold trim, which, instead of paintings, is framed and hung on the walls. The following solutions are used in the design:
- parquet, boards and tiles are laid in a zigzag pattern;
- there are "sun rays" in the decor (frames for mirrors, paintings, as well as trim in a similar form);
- contrast elements, reminiscent of a chessboard: usually this solution is used on a black and white floor;
- use of podiums that will create stair steps in the room;
- use of different shades in the form of stripes;
- curvilinearity, as well as the use of figures of geometrically regular shapes, like a square, rhombus, trapezoid;
- interior decoration with frames and contouring.
Layout of rooms/houses/apartments
It doesn't matter if you plan to decorate the interior in the style of art-deco of one room or the entire dwelling - you definitely need a compositional center. As for the whole apartment or house, the study and living room are considered the main rooms. That is, they serve as the compositional center. The allocation of territories is carried out by a thoughtful layout and interior design of each of the rooms.
Art Deco colors
This style focuses on various rich details, eye-catching accessories and so on, so the color scheme includes pastel, calm tones. You can also apply more complex shades with brightness and catchiness. It is important to make sure that the overall interior is perceived calmly, warmth is felt, and not excessive expression.
Most popular shades for Art Deco designs:
- white is elegant and delicate tones of ivory, baked milk, powder, creamy;
- brown - these colors will make the interior softer, warmer and more comfortable;
- Metallic - Reflections of gold, brass and bronze metal, reflected in mirrors and under the right lighting, will emphasize the art deco idea, filling the room with richness and luxury.
Used finishing materials
For decorating walls, ceilings and floors in art deco, it is customary to use:
- glass and aluminum;
- wood with inlay;
- stainless metal;
- lacquered surfaces;
- glossy ceramic tiles.
Style is quite complicated inperformance, and one of the reasons for this is the combination of many materials. In particular, we are talking about classics and modernity. Being completely different, the materials must harmonize, complement each other and go on a par, that is, so that none of them is pushed forward. It is worth saying that it is very difficult to achieve such a result.
Art Deco furniture
In any room, the interior of which is made in this style, there is exclusively upholstered furniture or supplemented with textiles. It is designed to soften the cold of the metal and create a cozy atmosphere in the room. But sofas, armchairs and other pieces of furniture should not stand out, come to the fore.
Art Deco sofas with upholstery in white shades are inherent. Armchairs and chairs should be decorated with elegant decorative elements. Trapezoidal backs are complemented by textile upholstery. The fabric is selected in pastel colors, the presence of geometric patterns is possible. For upholstery, you should not choose bright, catchy colors and contrasting stripes - they are useless here.
Upholstered furniture is characterized mainly by smooth lines. Another thing - chests of drawers, sideboards and cabinets. They can have strict, clear lines and patterns, as well as stone inlays.
In art deco you will not see furniture with a rough, unfinished finish. It is varnished in several layers or covered with glossy paint. The latter option has a significant advantage. A glossy surface in black or white, combined with precious decor and various inclusions, will add richness and richness to the interior.will emphasize chic, splendor, style of rooms.
Selection of lighting fixtures
As you can see from some of the photos, art deco style obliges lighting to be of high quality and varied. With the correct arrangement of the main and additional lamps, you can achieve an irresistible visual effect - the brilliance of metals playing with each other and stones shimmering in different colors.
The main chandelier should look no less impressive and rich than the interior as a whole. The photos above show the options for lighting fixtures that need to be selected for art deco. Glass chandeliers with imitation of crystal elements, such as hanging droplets, will look ideal. They can also have a cubic shape, be multi-level, hanging from the ceiling in the form of rain, almost to the floor. The addition of the main chandelier with bright lamps located at different levels and emphasizing the massive chandelier is welcome.
Accessories and decorative items
As with many other interior styles, art deco decorations have a special place. But here accessories and decorative elements rarely serve as accents. Basically, they are independent items, which makes housing more like a house of a collector who has not decided in his interests. But excessiveness should not be allowed - an abundance of accessories will destroy the picture. Also, don't skimp. It is better to purchase in smaller quantities, but in order for the decorative elements to be of high quality,stylish and luxurious than vice versa.
Even an art deco kitchen can be complemented with exclusive accessories, what can we say about the bedroom and even more so the living room, where you can roam around?! As decorative elements, objects such as figurines, sculptures, floor and wall clocks and mirrors, elegant vases and so on should be considered. It will be especially good to experiment with sculptures. Preference is given to ancient heroes, dancers, gymnasts, as well as graceful or, conversely, powerful animals - a panther, a bear, a lion, a bird, a llama, and so on.
Huge Egyptian vases and large paintings in rich frames will look great. Together, these accessories will become the basis of luxury and showcase the richness in which the interior of a house or a separate room is filled.
Home decoration example
In principle, it doesn't matter if it's a house or an apartment. The difference can only be in the area - as a rule, the first option implies the presence of a larger area for creativity. The photo clearly shows how you can equip a house in the Art Deco style. The living room is divided into a dining area and a seating area. There are yellow and magenta colors that blend beautifully together. Dark parquet lined with herringbone. Embellished with brass accents. The room turned out luxurious, but at the same time moderation is visible, which is an important aspect in modern art deco.
But the hallway in this house is less restrained. Wallpaper rich in color and texture, a series of stylish sconces, stepped ceilinglighting in the form of narrow oblong lamps, a diamond-shaped marble floor and an abundance of mirrors that serve as doors for the wardrobe - all this blends perfectly together, forming a luxurious interior. And in the kitchen, exquisite dark marble sets the style, contrasting with white cabinets and a hood decorated with gold lines and complemented by metal fittings.
An example of an art deco apartment design
In the photo you can see an example of the design in the apartment. This is an apartment of 147 m². No matter how pretentious the art deco we are used to may be, in the modern sense it is somewhat different. This can be seen in this apartment project, where the emphasis is on minimalism. Here, the style combines streamlined furniture, fine art, luxurious materials and simplicity. The combined kitchen-dining room-living room is characterized by open space, the furniture here is a cross between French classics and modernity. Throughout the area of the apartment, there are subtle elements of art deco, which manifest themselves both in design and in architectural terms. However, they can only be noticed upon close inspection.
