The art deco period was very popular in America and Europe in the 1920s and 1930s. It affected all areas of the decorative arts and was considered very glamorous, elegant, functional, and modern. It quickly became a popular style for interior decorating. While it went out of fashion for a few decades, art deco is now experiencing a resurgence and period art deco pieces as well as reproductions are highly sought after. Characteristics of Art Deco Interior Design Geometric and angular forms, exotic materials, and linear decoration characterize Art Deco design. The look is strong and bold with no fussiness or romance anywhere in sight. Materials Certain materials pop up again and again in art deco interior design: stainless steel, mirrors, chrome, glass, lacquer, inlaid wood, and even exotic skins like shark and zebra. Expensive materials such as ebony, marble, and rare woods were also often used, making some Art Deco pieces accessible only to the wealthy. Common Themes There are several themes that occur regularly in Art Deco design. They include: Leaves, branches, and feathers Nudes Trapezoids Stylized animals Chevrons and zigzags Sunbursts Jagged, pointed edges inspired by skyscrapers (such as the Chrysler building) How to Decorate in the Art Deco Style If you want to incorporate some elements of Art Deco design into your home, you're in luck. It's very easy to add one or two pieces, or to decorate a whole home in the distinctive style. Here are some guidelines to help you through the process. Colors Colors in Art Deco are striking and bold with a lot of contrasts. Bright and deep yellows, reds, greens, blues, and pinks mix well with silver, black and chrome. If you want something softer try creams and beiges which were also often used in living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms. These colors contrast beautifully with the polished wood and lacquered furniture common to the period. Furniture Choose strong, streamlined shapes with no frills. Furniture made of exotic woods like zebrawood, as well as chrome and mirrored pieces are great options. Art Deco furniture tends to be large in scale so don't be afraid to buy big pieces. Sideboards, armoires, and generously sized chairs are all typical of the period. Fabrics Don't use any pretty florals or plaids in an art deco room. The fabrics in this style are usually either solid colors or geometric designs. For an added punch try adding highlights with cushions in solid contrasting blocks of color. A key word to remember is "bold." Floors Linoleum in abstract designs or black and white tiles are typical, as are lacquered floors. Polished parquet is also perfect for flooring. Keep in mind that floors in the Art Deco period would have been overlaid with large rugs in geometric patterns, so feel free to do that if you choose. Lighting Lights were often made of glass and chrome (which was a brand new material at the time). Glass was sometimes etched or enameled. White glass and colored tiffany-style glass were also very common. It's still possible to find fixtures that are original to the period, but if you can't don't worry. There are a lot of reproductions for sale on the market.

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