The Timeless Elegance of Art Deco Furniture and Accessories
Art Deco style may have peaked in the Roaring Twenties, but its glamorous, sleek aesthetic continues to enchant design lovers today.
The era's luxurious furniture and decorative objects blend avant-garde forms with exquisite craftsmanship that feels both retro and contemporarily chic. Let's explore the history and enduring elegance of Art Deco furnishings.
The Rise of Art Deco
Art Deco emerged in 1920s Paris during Les Années Folles (“the crazy years”) as a reaction against the decorative excess of Art Nouveau and Beaux Arts styles. Inspired by the sleek geometry of avant-garde painting and sculpture like Cubism, designers adopted a streamlined aesthetic using new materials.
The 1925 Paris Exposition spotlighted furniture and objects fusing cutting-edge luxury with machine-age forms.
Makers like Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann produced pieces using precious materials and refined craft alongside chrome, glass, and exotic veneers.
This fusion defined the contrasting sophistication and edgy glamour of Art Deco style.
By the 1930s, Art Deco evolved beyond France to encompass more fun, geometric looks like the zigzag moderne style.
But it maintained its essence of exquisite handiwork blended with fashionable, futuristic lines.
Defining Traits of Art Deco Style
Several key details lend vintage furniture and objects their signature Art Deco appeal:
Sleek geometric forms with clean lines, especially zigzags, chevrons and sunbursts
Rich materials like macassar ebony, lacquered wood, sharkskin, and shagreen
Elaborate metal inlays and accents using chrome, silver, copper and brushed aluminum
Fine hand craftsmanship and exotic veneers reflecting global influences
Fashionable motifs from the era like palm trees, fountain jets, racing cars and ocean liners
Bold contrasts in color, texture and shapes to create visual dynamism
These indulgent yet structured touches conjure images of 1920s decadence and sophistication.
Iconic Art Deco Designs
Certain landmark furnishings embody the glamorous modernity of Art Deco aesthetics:
Ruhlmann’s rosewood vanities with intricate macassar inlays
Paul Follot’s sleek leather and chrome armchairs
Wrought iron stool and table sets by Edgar Brandt
Gilbert Poillerat’s exotic lacquered games tables
Chrome and glass cocktail cabinets with hints of neon
Radiator covers and screens with dynamic zigzag reliefs
The Return of Deco Allure
While Art Deco fell out of vogue by the 1940s, its reputation was revived starting in the 1960s thanks to increased scholarship on the era and collectors seeking out vintage Deco glamour.
Today, original Art Deco antiques along with quality contemporary takes on 1920s motifs grace the homes of design lovers looking to channel that era's cosmopolitan decadence.
The style adds striking sculptural form and refined opulence to any space. Ninety years later, Art Deco's avant-garde elegance still feels futuristic.