All About Art Deco Design | The History and The Revival

Hello friends! It has been a while now since I have done a design history video, and I've been noticing that Art Deco seems to be having a bit of a resurgence right now, so it seemed like a great time to cover the subject. We're going to be talking about the history of the Art Deco era, how you can incorporate this style into your home, and I've got a bunch of inspiration images to share with you, because of course I do, don't I always? So let's get started. The Art Deco movement began in the mid to late 1910s, and would gain in popularity into the 1930s. It's most often associated with the Roaring 20s. Art Deco began in France, but would grow to influence design across Western Europe and the United States, and the Art Deco style would fall out of fashion with the start of World War II. The Art Deco aesthetic was found in many art forms, from fashion and jewelry to interiors and architecture. Some notable names associated with the Art Deco movement include French designer Maurice Dufresne, American industrial and interior designer Donald Deskey, and William Van Allen, architect of one of the era's most iconic structures, the Chrysler Building. Some of New York's most famous architectural greats are part of the Art Deco style, not only the Chrysler Building, but also the Empire State Building and Radio City Musical. Art Deco would also make its way to South Beach, Florida in the 1930s, resulting in the Art Deco Historic District. The Art Deco style was all about opulence and glamour. It is of course very often associated with the aesthetic of the Great Gatsby. It was about creating a sense of sophistication and luxury. It drew inspiration from Art Nouveau, Cubism, even the Bauhaus, as well as more classical influences like Ancient Egypt. The Art Deco style is characterized by geometric shapes, repetitive symmetry, and streamlined forms. Such elements as trapezoids, triangles, zigzags, chevrons, and sunbursts are all common motifs in Art Deco. When it comes to materials, Art Deco favored such finishes as brass, stainless steel and chrome, lacquered surfaces, marble, plastic, and reinforced concrete. The color schemes of the Art Deco era were very rich. Color palettes contained a lot of jewel tones, which were often combined with such neutrals as beiges, creams, or pale and muted yellows. The use of metallics like silver and gold also helped to add an extra touch of glam. And high contrast black and white combinations were a part of this era as well. Okay, so now that we have touched on the history of the Art Deco movement, let's take a look at some modern-day interiors that have found inspiration in the Art Deco style. This Paris apartment is an original Art Deco building, and I love the way that they have paid subtle tribute to the era while still keeping it fresh and modern. You have the chevron floors, the touches of brass, and this very cool Art Deco-inspired room divider. This is just so well done. The Art Deco influence is maybe a bit more literal in this space. They've really nailed the elegance and sophistication of the time period. We can't all live like this. Maybe we don't even want to, but it's really lovely to look at. Now, sure, most of us probably don't have an indoor swimming pool. But for me, the most stunning Art Deco-inspired element of this space isn't even part of the pool. It's this uplit fluted wall of metallic mosaic tile. Here we have this glamorous walk-in closet. You've got the wallpapered ceiling, the chandelier. It's all very luxe and very Art Deco. The most striking and impactful element of this interior has got to be those beautiful Art Deco stained glass doors. The Art Deco inspiration in this kitchen can be found in the gorgeous jewel-toned cabinets, mirrored doors, and brass hardware. But it's been done in a way that also manages to feel quite contemporary. You've got the marble, the triangles, the black and white color palette, and then of course there's the statement chandelier that you can see reflected in the mirror. A modern take on an Art Deco bathroom. I really, really love these glass doors. Just a cool contemporary take on the classic Art Deco style. Another cool example of an Art Deco- inspired room divider. Plus the black and white marble and the chevron floors. I really like the way that they have combined the Art Deco elements with other styles in this space. The brass and stainless trim is such an interesting detail that really adds an Art Deco feel to this kitchen. And of course all that marble doesn't hurt either. Details like this round headboard and mirror and the lacquered nightstand are excellent ways of introducing the Art Deco look into your bedroom. This is such a sophisticated foyer. The tile, the black lacquer on the door, and that gorgeous chandelier. Another common element of the glamorous Art Deco style was animal prints, which has been added to this space with the stair runner. This is such a pretty little dressing area. You've got the Art Deco desk, the lamp, the mirror, even the perfume bottle. This space is cleaner and more minimal than what we would typically associate with the Art Deco style, but the rounded edges and arched window and door do provide very subtle nods to the look. There are so many Art Deco references in this house and they've been so well done that I couldn't narrow it down to just one photo. All the brass, the fluted millwork, the marble, the color scheme, it's all in there. But again, done with a modern twist. A perfect example of how to incorporate Art Deco elements into your home without feeling like you're in a time cap. Well that is everything I have for you about Art Deco. Now I do have to admit, Art Deco is not necessarily one of my own personal favorite design movements. And it's beautiful, I appreciate and respect it, it's just not one that I find I naturally gravitate towards. But I'm very curious to know how all of you feel about it, so leave me a comment. Thanks so much for being here, I hope we will see you at the next one, and bye for now!