Dr Decorator Examines The Timeless Appeal of Art Deco

Designing a room or space is similar to crafting a painting. The designer makes a picture in his or her head and then works to bring this vision to reality. One difference between painting and designing is that the painter works with colors and brushes, and the designer works with furniture, fabrics, and decorative objects. The other difference is that a painting has no functional requirements; it hangs on a wall as a thing of beauty to be admired. A room or decorative space has to be both functional and beautiful.

Before- The room was devoid of any architectural interest or character.

The space should be visually and historically consistent. When creating a room which derives from a particular era, designers usually choose elements that are consistent with that period. This is important whether the designer is crafting a classical French salon, English country house sitting room or a Tuscan villa. Decorative elements derive from history and should be utilized with historical accuracy. This rule is sometimes broken fro decorative shock value. For example, if a primitive African sculpture is placed on a heavily carved French pedestal, the inconsistency catches the eye. This is one style, however, in which so many decorative style is called Art Deco.

Art Deco utilizes disparate motifs. It is modern and traditional, sleek and primitive, sophisticated and innovative. This multifaceted style developed between 1910 and 1939, deriving its name from the 1925 Paris World's Fair, Explosition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes. That great exhibition marked the debut of a new style that heralded modernism, the Jazz Age, ocean liners, cinema, skyscrapers, flappers and all the other exciting elements which came to define the 20th century. Art Deco symbolized the transition from the post-World-War I era to an economy of technological development and mass production. Many beautiful items were translated from expensive materials to the newly popular plastics and introduced to consumers who were anxious for change.

From its rich Parisian beginnings, Art Deco has come to be viewed as the most exciting and diverse decorative style of the last century. It includes Asian and African influences, cubism and geometrics, tubular steel, decorative iron work, rich lacquered woods and ebony veneers, and a vast variety of decorative elements. These materials and motifs were combined with an emphasis on sleek and innovative design.

Art Deco remains immensely popular today. This style bridges the gap between traditional and modern design. The use of its motifs can help create a space which features the clean lines of contemporary design yet still maintains a sense of classical elegance. A few touches of Art Deco styling will give a room an aura of instant sophistication.

As this sitting room shows, moldings, color, and furnishings can take a space from barren to beautiful. Ziering Interiors designers first addressed the shell of the room, installing custom moldings. The ceiling crown molding features a step motif crafted to complement the geometric lines of Art Deco. The wall covering is a tone-on-tone rendition of the style's swirling lines. The square-cut carpet from Stanton Carpet adds another geometric motif to the mix. The concept of the space involved an intricate geometric medley in the furniture, fabrics, and window, wall, and floor coverings. The resulting background is subtle in tone, but richly textured in pattern.

After-The glamorous space created by Ziering Interiors features Art Deco styling. The color scheme is classic black and creme mix with a flash of red for drama.

Art Deco furniture runs the gamut from severe, clean , and geometric lines to swirling and richly textured motifs. The elements used in this room illustrate this diversity. the mix of materials contrasts richly polished woods with glass and metal craftsmanship. Fabrics from Kravet Fabrics offer a textural sampler in the combination of silk draperies, swirling geometric patterns on the window balances and chair, and nubby circles on the chaise. The classical color mix of black and creme with a strong dose of red for drama is featured in the graceful chaise and rope motif chair and ottoman from Andre Originals.

Artwork in the room adds a definite touch of excitement. Over the chaise hangs a painting in the style of Tamara de Lempicka, a famous artist whose work depicted glamorous figures of the Roaring Twenties. Asian art is another popular option. Michael Ayervais, a well-known collector and dealer of Asian art, believes that the rich colorations and undulating movements of Chinese and Japanese screens complement this decor style perfectly. " A beautiful wall-hung kimono" says Ayervais, "is the perfect way to enrich the tailored lines of Deco furnishings."

The Art Deco period was the catalyst for the notion of the total look in interior design. the goal of Deco design was for an interior and its furnishings to work together to create a cohesive unit meant for functional living. The designers and artisans of that era came up with timeless concepts that will enrich the design work forever.

Elegant Accents/ Fall, 2008