Characteristics of Art Deco furniture

There are different ways to decorate your home these days. One choice that you can choose from is Art Deco. It is an artistic movement that began over a hundred years ago, but still has the same appeal and class. Discover in this article everything about this style, its characteristics and its origin.

Art Deco for Dummies

Art Deco was born at the International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts held in Paris. Also called the art of decoration, it is a term that was in vogue around the 1900s in France.

It was from the year 1920 that this style flourished in society. But its glory did not stop there, it evolved over the following years until 1950. Art Deco is a way of decorating the interior of a house, including the layout.

It is a decoration that highlights colors and patterns. Applicable both outside and inside the house. It is a modern movement that plunges into a feminine environment. The use of patterned wallpaper is requested. Whether it is a floral pattern, a geometric pattern or even a spiral.

In terms of form, the basis is to avoid anything that could lead to a rounded corner or curves, the opposite of art nouveau. A rule that mainly concerns architecture. Still on the construction plan, there is no material to favor, but you just have to turn to concrete during construction.

Concerning the world of decoration, if you are more of a crazy style, you are in luck. Art Deco is characterized from other artistic movements on the one hand by its style of geometric patterns.

Whether for interior decoration or for the exterior, patterns and lines mark the territory. And on the other hand, it favors geometric lines on the choice of their furniture. So, already prepare your eyes to see a ton of patterns in the house, of course the wall ornament that on the exterior aspect of the house.

The different periods from 1900

Art Deco has experienced a great revolution including several countries in Europe. But this domination that began in 1900, to take off between the 1910s and the 1930s still persists in society today. The lines are inspired by the Directoire or Restoration. Even if the rules changed from the 1925s just before the crisis of 1929.

Modern art went to war with Art Deco. A war that marked the era by being a crazy year. But this style was able to mark different areas, such as in 1910-1923, where floral patterns stood out. A pattern seen on walls as well as on furniture. From 1923 to 1936, this movement favored the few small details in its features and to mark its style more against other competitors at the time.

Spread of Art Deco in the world

The importance of Art Deco depends mainly on each country that encounters it. In France, for example, it has been able to captivate the heart, only for a few years after its appearance. In the USA, this art is very successful, especially in architecture. This art extends to North Africa, which has indeed captivated the hearts of the inhabitants. A colorful art that reflects their daily life. It has visited almost every country in the world after the war.

In France, Art Deco represents two different classes. Art Deco was rather intended to differentiate the wealthy classes from the middle classes. Whether it was on the architecture and the color of the houses. Or concerning the decoration and the furniture of the house, as with the designer Jean Dunand who presented a large number of works of art until the 30s.

This was initially the overall meaning of Art Deco. After the World War, the time of the Reigns changed. This movement lost its place in its creative country. Instead, it set sail for the United States, where architects influenced by these straight lines and bright colors created many buildings that are now legendary.

Art Deco graphics and patterns

As it is an art, it is not a scribble that lacks meaning. Every bit of the decor represents the charm of art deco. Whether it is the wall ornaments with the wallpaper or the furniture decor with a marquetry composed of inlays of precious wood patterns.

Order, color, geometry are three words that best define the world of Art Deco. The same goes for graphics. The artist plays on different colors as well as lines to give an art form that inspires elegance. An art that opposes straight line and curve. We even see paintings that represent the image of a woman with elegance and refinement on the paintings.

Artists also sometimes use mother-of-pearl, gray, snakeskin, gold and silver leaf, crushed eggshell lacquer and ivory. Just to give charm to their painting.

But it's not just at the table level, it can also be used for home decor.

Art Deco architecture

Applied art or architecture was born with the appearance of a new era during the crazy year. Because, a new way of building was born. Building houses, hospitals, or even schools.

Since it is an art, the materials used are somewhat different. It is about using materials that the owner of the house has for the decor, this is called ostentatious trend.

This trend was rather reserved for the wealthy people of the time. As an example, in the United States, the roof of the famous Chrysler building referred to the brand's bumpers. Also, in the United States, a building in the shape of a hot dog was built.

Art Deco architecture also played a role in the design of the house, as it involves spacing out the house and opening up as much space as possible.

Cruise ships and their decoration

Also in the 1900s, ocean liners were a popular means of transportation. This was because aviation had not yet appeared. So, the ship's managers did their best to decorate their ship.

A decor that stands out from all, but inspires comfort at the same time. Thus decorating one's ship was topical, the managers entrusted the work to specialists of Art Deco, such as Louis Süe or André Mare. A method that was used by the French and the Germans.

At that time, having a cruise ship decorated with luxurious decor inspired progress and opulence.

Art Deco furniture

The art deco revolution also had an impact on furniture, especially on seats, aviator armchair in faux leather and aluminum, aviator sofa, sideboard, chest of drawers, console, etc. These are pieces designed from chrome or metals and wood with refinement. They are often placed in the living room to amaze guests. art deco fabric armchairs present geometric designs as for paper.

The sculptor moved away from the design of the curves of art nouveau in the creation of this furniture. In fact, he began to give charm to his work by using lines and flat surfaces, or even the triangular.

To accentuate the charm of the furniture, he combined different materials in these designs. Like leather, or metals or even lucite. And of course, we must not forget the centerpiece, the color.

Even in furniture, bright colors still make an appearance, especially on armchairs and aviator sofas. To give more charm to its crazy style, you just need to match the furniture with the right painting.

Even though it was a highly criticized art at the time, art deco still holds an important place in society until now. Especially on furniture and paintings. And yes, many people want to enjoy a luxurious environment by adopting art deco. There are some who even look for authentic versions of the art deco furniture.

Here are some tips that can help you bring authenticity into your home:

The furniture of these periods is distinguished by its forms, cubisms, curves and patterns.

The materials used at the time are rare these days. If the piece of furniture was made of wood, it is even possible to determine the age of the piece of furniture based on the condition of the wood. Ebony and Macassar were among the most commonly used woods.

How to recognize art deco?

Indeed, you don't need to be an expert to recognize art deco. It is characterized from other arts by its colorful and patterned environment. There are no particular patterns, whether floral patterns or linear patterns, all are considered art deco. This color principle also leaves its mark on the color of the furniture or the paintings placed on the wall, devoid of patterns.

La difference between art deco and art nouveau is easy to recognize, the movement from the 1880s to the 1910s is distinguished by curved lines with motifs representing nature. While the furniture and architecture of the 1920s to the 1930s gives way to straight lines and geometry.

A little bonus is the sculptures. And yes, this art highlights the sculptures of women, or others who inspire elegance. This form of sculpture is also visible on the decoration as on the vases, where shapes are drawn.

Is Art Deco still relevant?

Some can revisit, but yes. Art Deco still inspires so much elegance and joy of living in people. Now, some have integrated velvet into their art deco. Like for example. Using colored velvet to wrap the sofa, then covering the cushions with floral patterns.

Fanatics are also starting to integrate shiny objects into their decoration. Like the use of silver libraries. But the most striking of all is the wall ornament. This habit has not yet disappeared. On the contrary, it is wreaking havoc in the world of decoration