Though the design style was not officially named until 1925, the influence of Art Deco design is far older than that date. At this time, people were just emerging from the Industrial Age, and design was taking center stage over mechanical engineering. Luxury trains, for example, focused less on their engines and more on the opulence of their cabins. Manufacturers were competing to make these mechanical marvels as luxurious as possible.
Modernity
If you’re looking for a style that combines modernity and aesthetics, art deco may be the style for you. This style was popular in the 1920s and is known for its geometric skyscrapers. While the style is sometimes confused with modernism, these two movements share many common characteristics. In addition to geometric shapes and pastel colors, modernism is also defined by streamlined, uncluttered interiors and practicality.
The Art Deco style was a major breakthrough in design for the modern age. Its heyday was between the two World Wars, and it reflected the life and style of Paris in the 1920s. It incorporated every aspect of design, from architecture to decorative arts. It was also a great expression of the louche and louvre lifestyle of the early 20th century.
This style also became extremely popular in poster art. These designs were very popular and were made in both America and Europe. Because of their mix of modernist principles without avant-garde undertones, they were highly popular with the upper class bourgeoisie. Typical features of Art Deco designs include bright colors, geometric shapes, and ornamentation. In addition to this, Art Deco posters often reflected new gender roles, such as women with short hair and straight dresses.
As technology improved, Art Deco designs were adapted for mass production. The style was influenced by the silver screen, and it used shiny fabrics, mirrors, and atmospheric lighting. In addition, a stepped profile was used for interior design elements and architecture. It was also influenced by Art Nouveau but it rejected organic shapes in favor of chrome and black materials.
Opulence
Opulence is an important element in art deco design. The period’s opulent details and eclectic designs drew inspiration from exotic art and architecture. These designs often include intricate bas-relief carvings made of various materials. Opulence in this era is often expressed in the details of everyday objects, such as furniture and lamps.
Opulence was very popular in Paris between the two World Wars. Art was gaining popularity, movies were making its way to the big screen, and beauty was de rigueur. Old-fashioned was no longer an option. Jazz music could be heard in any cafe, and writers such as PG Wodehouse and F Scott Fitzgerald were penning stories of the rich and frivolous. Architects such as Le Corbusier were also replacing decaying buildings with exquisite structures.
The style gained popularity after the Paris Exhibition of 1926. However, the 1920s were marked by technological advancement, and so the art deco aesthetic had a more minimal impact. While the designs at the Paris Exhibition were meant to be unique, many art deco pieces from the era were mass-produced in factories.
Despite being a short-lived style, art deco has become closely linked to the Roaring ’20s, a time when lavish clothes and wrought iron garden furniture were used for outdoor soirees. Similarly, many films about the period feature art deco interiors or exteriors. For example, Baz Luhrmann’s “The Great Gatsby” features lavish art deco in Daisy Buchanananan’s sitting room.
Luxury
Art Deco is one of the most elegant styles in interior design. It is a style that successfully blends different cultures to create an eclectic and unique look. Art Deco incorporates motifs from Egyptian art, African exotica, and Indian motifs into its designs. Its aim is to surprise and delight guests. The style originated in the 1930s and replaced Modernism. It was primarily chosen by wealthy and noble families because of its bold, sophisticated forms.
The use of natural materials is essential to Art Deco design. The materials used in such an interior design style are often rare and expensive. Materials used for Art Deco interiors include natural leather, glass, varnished surfaces, ivory, metal, stone tiles, and shiny ceramics. Generally, the color scheme is neutral, with the exception of bright colors.
Mirrors are another key feature of Art Deco interior design. They are often complemented by dramatic sconces and elaborate geometric frames. Embedded with glass or ivory, mirrors enhance the look and feel of luxury. High-polished and lacquered timber is another characteristic of the style. While white and black lacquer furniture are classic, pastel-toned lacquer can give an art deco interior a modern twist.
New technologies also played a large role in the development of the style. Glass was made cheaper and bigger than in previous centuries, allowing designers to create bigger windows. Building frames became more affordable as well. As a result, architects like Corbusier and Warren McArthur started using aluminium for their structures. Bright colours and stylised floral designs were also popular in early Art Deco.
Symbolism
Symbolism was a movement that began in the literary world and spread into the visual arts. The Symbolists aimed to express spiritual realities and feelings in art. They emphasized the use of metaphors, symbolism, and association to create works of art. They also pushed the boundaries of what is considered “realism” by embracing topics that were considered taboo in their time. Symbolists often used occult, secret knowledge, and erotic themes in their work.
Symbolism in Art Deco was also prevalent in architecture. For example, the Chrysler Building was a great example of this movement. It was a landmark building that incorporated gargoyles, which imitate car hood ornaments. Its design was also said to symbolize modern man’s struggle with nature.
Symbolism was an important part of Art Deco, and its designs often incorporated elements from different cultures. Symbols from ancient Egypt, Mesoamerica, Africa, and the Orient adorned many Art Deco buildings and artworks. These cultures were also important influences on the style’s aesthetics.
Symbolism in Art Deco design is often associated with power and progress. Often using wooden materials, Art Deco buildings are inspired by nature.
Color palette
The Art Deco style is an internationally recognized style that features jewel-like colors, geometric designs and ornate details. It is often associated with America’s boom period, and today remains a symbol of glitz and glamor. The Interior paint color palette pays homage to this style and evokes the mood of a speakeasy.
The colors used during this period were typically muted, but there was also some brighter color combinations. These were often accompanied by an undertone of brown. The colors were popular during this period, and many of them were used throughout the world. The colors of the era are also associated with the hippie movement.
You can use this color palette in your digital or print designs by using a color chart. You can also save the palette to your computer and save it to a mood board. The vintage palettes also contain HEX codes that you can use in digital designs. These swatches can also be converted to CMYK for use on printed materials.
Influences
The influences of Art Deco can be found throughout architecture and design. The style originated in France in the early 1900s and influenced Western culture. It was a reaction to the Art Nouveau movement, which was gaining popularity in Europe at the time. The style incorporated geometric patterns from Africa, lacquered finishes from East Asian art, and ancient Greek and Egyptian culture.
Art Deco incorporated elements from Art Nouveau, Cubism, and Modernism. Its use of clashing colors influenced Art Deco textiles, wallpaper, and painted ceramics. Other influences of Art Deco were discoveries in Egyptology and an interest in the Orient. The style also used bright colors that were popular during this period.
The style’s popularity was boosted by the rapid growth of mass society and new technology. As a result, art deco designers started experimenting with new materials and design forms. Modernist furniture, glassware, and other items became affordable and mass-produced. This style influenced the development of mass consumer goods in the United States.
The style reached its peak in the late 1930s and early 1940s. Although it originated in Paris, the style spread throughout the world. It influenced the design of fashion, jewelry, buildings, and cars, as well as movie theaters and ocean liners.
