mood board: Art Deco

Elegance, sophistication, and glamour describe the Art Deco era, but this was just the frosting on a multi-tiered cake.  Art Deco culminated from the convergence of global culture and tastes – with motifs that included modern geometrics, Egyptian, Babylonian, African, and Aztec styles and Greco-Roman classicism.   For the latest in our series of mood boards, we’ll rediscover the glamorous world of Art Deco style. 

Art Deco was the nickname given for the style that arose from the influential 1925 world’s fair that occurred in Paris, France called the Exposition Internationale des Artes Decoratifs et Industriels Moderne.  Legendary designers, artisans, and architects contributed to the World Fair, including glass designer Rene Lalique, furniture designer Emile-Jacques Rhulmann, architect Le Corbusier, to name a few.

In our first mood board above, we show a French Art Deco console table from French Design, Inc. made from macassar ebony, a popular rich-looking wood of that era. Its center leg displays a gilt and silver artwork of geometric shapes.  On top of the table we have accessories that are globally inspired – the muscular Eve with Serpent sculpture from Renaissance Man is created in the Greek tradition and the vase, Biches Bleues, designed by Charles Catteau reflects African influences. The vase is from the Modernism Gallery.

For seating, we have a streamlined lacquered club chair from French Design, Inc.  The delicate side table, reminiscent of furniture designer Emile-Jacques Rhulmann, is made of rosewood and covered in shagreen, available from Gary Rubinstein Antiques.  On top of the table from TFTM Gallery is the coffee service from ocean liner, Il de France, and designed in the iconic Art Deco geometric shapes.  For lighting we have a French chandelier designed by Petitot and available from Versailles Antiques.  Petitot created an octagonal shaped light made of nickeled bronze and frosted glass insets with a sunburst design. The rug, though not Art Deco, is very geometric and is from Safavieh. 

For our second mood board on Art Deco, we have a lighter look with the furnishings.  The hemispherical desk is an American art deco style using mahogany with a sunburst inlay on its writing surface and figured maple veneer on its drawers.  The club chair is upholstered in gold velvet and both are available from Antiques of River Oaks.  The tall secretaire from Paul Stamati is made of macassar ebony inlaid with ivory detailing – see the diamond pattern.  For artwork, we have a cubist tile panel designed by Harris Strong and is available from Greenwich Living Antiques.  Lighting the room are half-moon lacquered sconces from Maison Gerard. 

Art Deco may have had its heyday in the 1930s and 1940s but the look is still being reproduced to this day.  These Art Deco furnishings may be mixed with more contemporary pieces that share the elegant and glamorous mood. 

Comments

[Darrel Jones]

Some how some of these pieces remind me of ones which my mother has kept similar to 1930's style or maybe earlier. But I adore these. If I had the money I would love to do my house in art deco but as we all know most of these beautiful pieces are antique's now and cost a fortune to buy them in pristine condition.

[Jamie]

I agree, Darrel. Art Deco has evokes such fond feelings of nostalgia. It reminds me of sitting in my grandmother's home, admiring her eclectic collection of furnishings from her lifetime. My mother - in - law recently gave us a kitchen table that my friends describe as art deco (though I don't think I would) and I find that I love to display things on it...colors really pop against the simple, vintage lines.

[Yemi]

Art deco furniture’s are stylish, glamorous and timeless in my option.

I personally like Art Deco mixed with more contemporary pieces. Most people say they are expensive which is very true, but you will be surprised at the bargains one can pick up at auction or even at a charity shop.

[woodworking plans]

finishing of the cabinets and chairs are very beautiful and shiny. I know some of the finishing material such as shellac, varnish, lacquer and so on but never produce results as good as this, would you like to share the secrets of materials and techniques did you use in finishing?

[breast pump reviews]

This is my favorite period, everything is so stylish and clean lines.

[mentale dieet plan ervaringen]

I love the painting in the last picture. Gotta have that!

[Luxury British Watches]

I enjoyed finding your post and reading through it to see other people’s
views! Thanks!

[abercrombie clothing uk]

Such a great post idea! I really love all the photos.

[desain interior]

i think french art deco is comfortable to use, but in my country there are more like here and personally i recommend you to use Indonesian furniture, it would be better for your sales out there, trust me

[Clear Rock Homes]

I don't really go for this type of design.

[Ejiro]

Nice designs

[Wood Laminate flooring]

The furniture in the picture is not real one

[Joffre]

Very nice furniture here. I love Art Deco, it found its way into all the decorative arts.

I am also fond of Art Nouveau which preceded Art Deco and its interesting to see how the one transitioned into the other.

I do touch on this at house-design-coffee.com/art-deco-style.html and hope to add to that article with some words on Art Deco architecture.

Keep up the good work.

[Laura Tichnell]

Art deco is experiencing a comeback as never before partly due to its lightweight design and ability to accomodate smaller spaces as people downsize. It also evokes a period of time in our history that our grandparents seeked change and a more modern look than their parents. Like so many other areas of this era, experimentation and risk taking pushed progress to the limits. Fascinating even if you don't like the look.
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