As an early international style, Art Deco became the predominant design of choice for most of the world. Art Deco furniture developed unique characteristics across countries but still shared similarities.
From the start, no one knew what to call it. People referred to it as Moderne, Jazz Moderne, Zig-Zag Moderne, and more.
“Art Deco” was coined in 1968 by an English art critic and historian named Bevis Hillier.
Despite initial criticism, it became one of the most influential art movements in the world.
As the Art Nouveau movement progressed, trends shifted from flowing, ornate embellishment to Art Deco’s clear-cut lines and simplicity.
Art Deco debuted in 1925 at the Exposition Internationale des Art Decoratifs et Industriels in Paris. American designers did not participate since the ongoing modernist movement in Europe had little to do with U.S. domestic design.
However, within just a few years, it became the defining style in American architecture, decorative arts, household items, fashion, and more.
This style became a popular interior design because it was one of the first to draw attention to new technologies and materials.
Art Deco became famous around the world for two reasons:
- First, when mass-production began in the 1930s, it became easy to replicate many motifs and create Art Deco furniture. Mass-produced furniture was more affordable, which made it more accessible to a broader audience.
- Secondly, Art Deco was a versatile style that assimilated quickly in a variety of countries. Its themes and designs rapidly adapted to different cultures and traditions.
American vs. European Art Deco
European and American Art Deco varied in several ways, but still symbolized the spirit of the time, discarding traditional influences in favor of contemporary ones.
In many cases, American Art Deco furniture, buildings, etc., have less decorated than those found in Europe.
Both styles (particularly 1920s American Art Deco) share precise lines, bold arches, geometric patterns, vivid colors, and occasional lavish decor. However, American pieces are often more subtle.
American Art Deco
Art Deco emerged as a response to Art Nouveau before the beginning of World War I. It emerged in Paris, first appearing on posters and fashion magazines.
The elegant, sensual style captured in illustrations and images from Georges Barbier and Georges Lepape embodied a more modern perspective.
American publications like Vogue, Vanity Fair, and Harper’s Bazaar were quick to catch on to the trend. Fashion tested conventional bounds, becoming more casual and suited for everyday life.
Art Deco flourished in the United States, particularly throughout the 1930s, and a distinctly American form emerged.
Despite the struggles many faced throughout Prohibition and the Great Depression, Art Deco remained immensely popular.
As in many other countries, Art Deco was a modern style that reflected a contemporary world. Nearly everywhere in the U.S., especially expanding metropolitan cities, embraced the style.
However, Los Angeles, Miami Beach, and South Beach became three places where American Art Deco found a home.
Art Deco fell out of style in Europe during the 1930s, but it thrived in America. Theatres, homes, government buildings, and even cruise ships followed the Art Deco style.
A Distinctly American Style
The development of Art Deco in America happened differently than in Europe.
When Paris hosted the Exposition Internationale in 1925, then-Secretary of Commerce Herbert Hoover declared that no Americans could present.
Hoover reasoned that the U.S. had yet to develop a “new enough” art style that was also distinctly American. So, he commissioned a group of well-known artists to attend the Exposition and apply what they saw to American design.
The result was overwhelmingly popular, and in 1926 the U.S. hosted its version of the Exposition. “A Selected Collection of Objects from the International Exposition Modern, Industrial, and Decorative Arts” exhibited across several major cities.
Also, designers featured American Art Deco designs at the World Fairs in Chicago (1933) and New York City (1939).
Prior to the New York Fair, corporations like General Motors and Ford built several structures and pavilions.
At the same time, circles outside of the art world started embracing it. Hollywood popularized the aesthetic, making Art Deco synonymous with glamor and luxury.
Skyscrapers, which were still relatively new concepts, often included Art Deco facades and interiors. Modern structures like the Chrysler Building, Rockefeller Center, and Empire State Building became iconic Art Deco designs.
The Great Depression
Despite the turbulence of the Great Depression, Art Deco remained extremely prevalent in many aspects of American culture.
The most severe economic challenges lasted from 1929 to 1931. Despite the cultural atmosphere (or because of it), American Art Deco developed from follower to vanguard.
This change in direction led to its second phase, which featured new characteristics that better represented the decade’s austerity.
For example, 1920s architecture centered on dramatic, vertical lines. But 1930s Art Deco buildings had graceful forms and broad archers, less adornment, and were much shorter.
President Roosevelt enacted numerous public works programs that spurred construction for many buildings and structures.
Designers wanted to instill American values in these designs. They emphasized horizontal lines and forms, echoing ordinary virtues of the time, like sturdiness, quiet dignity, and resilience.
The stylistic shift at the turn of the decade became known as Streamline Moderne.
Streamline Moderne
The inspiration for the first Streamline Moderne buildings in the U.S. came from supporters of the New Objectivity movement in Germany.
Designers of both Streamline Moderne and the New Objectivity movements often incorporated the same themes and stylistic elements in their works.
Both groups shared similar, somber attitudes and placed utilitarianism over decoration. Form always followed the real-world practicality, which led to the development of new technology to make prefabricated materials.
Characteristics:
- Minimal ornamentation
- Streamlined curves
- Long, horizontal lines
- Glass bricks
- Sometimes nautical and circular designs like porthole-style windows
Technology’s progression played a large part in everyday life and is evident in many decorative elements.
Since so many faced financial hardships, far fewer people could afford traditional Art Deco furniture.
Affordable manufactured pieces made with concrete, glass, and chrome hardware soon replaced expensive ones crafted from exotic materials
Color preferences evolved, too: off-white, beige, and natural tones took the place of bright 1920s Art Deco hues.
Where did “streamline” get its name?
This era witnessed an unprecedented boom in new and improved modes of transportation. Mass-produced cars, trans-Atlantic flights, zeppelins, and speedy cruise liners were on the rise.
More people were traveling than ever before. Streamline Moderne’s smooth, long lines imitated the fluidity of these modes of transportation.
Art Deco Furniture
Art Deco furniture made during the Twenties was much more expensive than those made in the Thirties.
Thanks to the assembly line, cheaper pieces were produced, and more people could purchase them.
Characteristics
Chevrons, zig-zags, and clear lines are standard Art Deco’s features,but it has several other components as well.
Metallic, neutral, and vivid colors (like machines) were standard. In particular, black and white, silver, gold, metallic blue, dark gray, and platinum were used often.
Inlaid wood and reflective polishes gave Art Deco furniture and lighting fixtures highly lustrous and glossy finishes.
Significant influences of American Art Deco, specifically in Mami, were pre-Columbian societies like the Aztec and Maya. Many designers used decorative themes from:
- Art Nouveau
- Bauhaus
- Cubism
- Native Americans
- Egyptians
- Classic antiquity
Additionally, naked women, animals, foliage, and sunbeams became quintessential Art Deco motifs.
Materials
1920s Art Deco furniture was more expensive because of luxurious materials like ivory, mahogany, and animal skins.
Often, interiors combined old and new elements, such as varnished wood and black veneer with silk and furs. In Art Deco’s second phase, manufacturing swelled, which made building materials cheaper.
Materials used to make Art Deco furniture were as useful and practical as the piece’s function. Stronger, metallic materials glorified the Machine Age, indicated a modern era after WWI.For example, chrome replaced gold finishes, Bakelite replaced mother-of-pearl, and concrete replaced marble surfaces.
Other materials included plastic, glass, stainless steel, mirrors, and aluminum. However, designers still used luxurious materials like ivory, horn, and zebra skin for more elegant designs.
Waterfall Furniture
Waterfall furniture debuted at the Paris Colonial Exposition in 1931 and was soon picked up by manufacturers in the U.S.
Initially created for bedroom sets and the mass market during the Thirties and Forties, waterfall furniture is now synonymous with Art Deco furniture.
All surfaces have sharp, rounded drops, mimicking a running waterfall, and were treated with a blonde veneer or walnut polish.
Pricier pieces had drawer faces with unique patterns, such as decorative crossbanding and book-matched panels.
Hardware was made from Bakelite and brass, and some vanities had illuminated or frosted panels. It was not uncommon for Waterfall-style vanities and desks to have an oversized mirror with engraved trim.
Plywood was a common material used to make waterfall furniture. In more elegant pieces, the corners were rounded entirely.
In addition to plywood, designers also used imported woods, such as blonde-colored Carpathian elm and golden padouk.
Influential Designers
Paul T. Frankl (1886 – 1958)
When Paul T. Frankl moved to New York City in 1914, his goal was to create a distinctly American style.
He began his career as an architect but later became a painter and furniture designer. After WWI, Frankl and others laid the foundation for American modernism.
Frankl created the skyscraper style in the 1920s, eventually shifting to metal furnishings the following decade. He established the Skyscraper Furniture company, which later became a hub for American modernist ideas.
In the 1930s, Frankl designed comfortable, informal pieces for Hollywood socialites. He was also one of the first to use biomorphic designs and cork veneer. By the 1950s, Frankl was a significant manufacturer of mass-produced furniture.
Donald Deskey (1894 – 1989)
Donald Deskey is considered a master of the late Art Deco style and a leading modern designer.
Deskey contributed significantly to Art Deco, mainly as it evolved into Streamline Moderne. He also invented the decorative plywood technique used to make waterfall furniture and designed the interior of Radio City Music Hall.
Art Deco in the 21st Century
Art Deco’s influence is still evident 100 years later. Its distinguishing characteristics are easily recognizable in many objects. These elements provide an extra touch of luxury and glamour, two things that never go out of style.
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FAQs
What time period is Art Deco furniture? ›
The Art Deco period is typically in the years of the 1920s and 1930s, and takes its name from the 1925 Paris exhibition. This was the beginning of the first truly modern style after the Edwardian period (1901-1910). It was a whole new style with bright colours being used to enhance visual and 3D designs.
Is Art Deco furniture valuable? ›In general, because Art Deco pieces are not considered antiques, their value is on the high end and their prices reflect this. Instead, you need to look at the overall quality of the piece, as well as the unique aspects that would clearly mark them as Art Deco pieces.
Is Art Deco out of style? ›It finally fell out of favor during the '50s, giving way to the streamlined look of midcentury modern style. Art deco is now experiencing a resurgence with period pieces and reproductions in this iconic style highly sought after.
What did the furniture look like in the 1920s? ›Geometric shapes and curved lines were hallmarks of early 1920s furniture. Art Deco was inspired by popular themes in art at the time, as cubism became more popular in the 20th century.
How can you tell if furniture is Art Deco? ›"Art Deco is furniture characterized by geometric detailing and shapes, exotic woods (think zebra woods and mahogany), jewel-tone colors, lacquer, mirrored finishes, and shiny metal accents," says Travis London, interior designer and owner of Studio London Co.
How do you recognize Art Deco? ›Art Deco objects often showcase simple, clean shapes, usually with a “streamlined” look; ornament that is geometric or stylized from representational forms such as florals, animals, and sunrays; and use of man-made substances, including plastics, vita-glass, and reinforced concrete, often combined with such natural ...
What kind of wood is Art Deco? ›Key Characteristics of Art Deco Design
First, Art Deco furniture designs are often meticulously crafted using exotic woods, materials and lacquer. The craftsmanship technique involves inlays of exotic woods such as Macassar ebony, zebrawood and rosewood.
The term “Art Deco” is short for Arts Décoratifs and is derived from a 1925 Paris exhibition that showcased this new style to the world. Art deco furniture is characterized by symmetrical, clean, rectilinear lines. It combines traditional craftsmanship with modern machinery and materials.
Who invented Art Deco furniture? ›The style undoubtedly originated from early 20th century France, and it is believed that the first one to use the diction 'Art Deco' was designer and architect Le Corbusier in a series of articles titled “1925 EXPO.
Is Art Deco making a come back? ›Curved furniture, curved lines, and lots of arches are back in fashion. Furthermore, all of this is rooted in Art Deco. The post-modern of the eighties was based on Art Deco as well. Moreover, the soft colors, the soft pink you see, and the dark, dark green.
When did Art Deco end? ›
In 1937 came the Exposition Internationale des Arts et Techniques dans la Vie Moderne. Its emphasis on science and technology decisively, if unintentionally, marked the end of the Art Deco period.
What is 1920s style furniture called? ›Art Deco is defined as the decorating style of 1920s that originated in France.
What furniture styles were popular in the 1920s? ›Interior decorating associated with this era encompassed a wide variety of furniture styles, sometimes mixed in eclectic ways. However, there were three main furniture styles that dominated the 1920s: Art Deco, Arts & Crafts, and Early Modern.
What was a couch called in the 1920s? ›A davenport sofa, which was a large upholstered sofa that often converted into a bed, was a furniture piece found in some 1920s living rooms.
What year was Art Deco popular? ›Art Deco was an art movement that was initially unveiled at an exhibition held in Paris in 1925. While it reached the height of popularity during the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s, Art Deco was actually a movement that had been in development for more than a decade prior to its announcement.
What style of furniture was popular in the 1930s? ›What two furniture styles were popular in the 1930s? Art Deco and Streamline Moderne were the two most popular furniture styles in the 1930s.
What year is Art Deco Waterfall furniture? ›Waterfall is a style of furniture design from the 1930s and 1940s. It was the most prevalent variation on Art Deco furniture during this time, primarily created for the mass market and for bedroom suites.
What are the four key features of the Art Deco style? ›The characteristic features of Art Deco reflect admiration for the modernity of the machine and for the inherent design qualities of machine-made objects—e.g., relative simplicity, planarity, symmetry, and unvaried repetition of elements.
Where is Art Deco most popular? ›Many of the iconic buildings in New York City were built at the height of the Art Deco movement. In countries such as India, Cuba, and the Philippines, Art Deco architecture continued to be popular and commonplace well into the 1960s.
What shapes are used in Art Deco? ›- Heavy geometric influences.
- Triangular shapes.
- Zigzags.
- Trapezoidal shapes.
- Straight and smooth lines.
- Loud, vibrant, and even kitschy colors.
- Streamlined and sleek forms.
- Sunburst or sunrise motifs.
Why is Art Deco so popular? ›
Art Deco is famous for priming simplicity as a luxury. It was as a celebration of progress according to a modern aesthetic, representing the 20th century.
Is Art Nouveau and Art Deco the same? ›Art Nouveau and Art Deco were both International movements of the Decorative Arts and Architecture. The Art Nouveau movement, in terms of dates, covers the period 1890-1910 approximately, or late 19th century to pre-First World War. The Art Deco Movement encompasses the 1920s and 30's, or the period between the wars.
What is Bauhaus furniture? ›Bauhaus furniture was designed to be functional above all other qualities. Stripped down to their basic elements, fundamental components like tabletops or legs were typically reduced to simple geometric forms.
Is Art Deco still popular today? ›Art Deco style was at the height of its popularity during the 1920s and 1930s, but it remains a staple in interior design today. It can still be seen in architecture, furniture, textiles, wallpaper designs, jewelry, glassware, lighting fixtures, and more.
What's the difference between Art Deco and mid century modern? ›Art deco is glamorous, sophisticated and bold where mid-century modern is more streamlined, minimalist and purely functional. Art deco follows a lot of the same basic concepts like geometric shapes and high contrast but embellished with intricate motif inspired by technology rather than the natural world.
What is Art Deco theme? ›Art Deco in Relation to Similar Design Schools: Characteristics of Style. The use of geometric forms and symmetrical compositions, as well as the combination between fine arts and crafts, is what brought Art Deco closer to the aesthetic of the Bauhaus design school.
How did Art Deco start? ›The Art Deco aesthetic first emerged in France before World War One. But this movement was only announced to the public in 1925 at the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes; the exhibition was inspired loosely by the concept of the World's Fair.
What time period is modern furniture? ›Modern furniture refers to a specific style: the Modernist movement that began in the early 1900s with the Bauhaus school of design. These designs were a rebellion against the ornate designs that preceded them. Think of art deco designs, and all of their flourishes and ornamentations.
What Colour is replacing GREY? ›' 'We're seeing warmer greiges and beiges increase in popularity,' continues Sue Wadden director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams (opens in new tab). 'While we were noticing a shift toward warmer colors before COVID-19, with everyone spending so much time at home, we expect this trend to continue.
What trend is replacing farmhouse? ›The new hot style that is on the rise is Cottagecore. According to an article published on realtor.com, “While slightly similar, this trend is replacing the popular modern farmhouse trend, which may be on its way out, according to designers.
Is gray still in style for 2022? ›
Is gray paint going out of style in 2022? Gray paint is trending downward in high end design, but will continue to reign in new builds and contractor's bids.
Can Art Deco be considered modern? ›While the Art Deco movement was born out of modernity, it doesn't actually fall under the Modernism style. Modernism emerged in the United States around the time of the Great Depression in the 1930s and 1940s. It was a departure from the ornamentation and gaudy styles of the earlier decade.
Can you mix Art Deco and art nouveau? ›At BashBLOK, we absolutely love the style and distinction of the Art Nouveau and Art Deco Eras. Combining the curves of Nouveau and the geometrics of Deco we are quite taken by these invitation designs from Ceci New York. But, this glorious combination does not have to stop with stationary.
What was after Art Deco? ›By 1914, and with the beginning of the First World War, Art Nouveau was largely exhausted. In the 1920s, it was replaced as the dominant architectural and decorative art style by Art Deco and then Modernism.
What is an example of Art Deco style? ›The Chrysler Building is a classic example of Art Deco architecture and considered by many contemporary architects to be one of the finest buildings in New York City. The crown of the building is particularly praised as one of the leading example of Art Deco architecture.
What is Art Deco inspired by? ›Art deco washighly varied in its influences, taking inspiration from ancient Egyptian art, Aztec and other ancient Central American art, as well as from the design of modern ships, trains and motor cars.
How can you tell if furniture is Jacobean? ›Jacobean furniture was often geometric and symmetrical, with a strong influence on rectilinear shapes and lines. It was straightforward in design but decorated with carvings of classical or intricate geometric motifs.
What design style was popular in the 1920s? ›Similarly to fashion and art at the time, the primary trend in 1920s home design was Art Deco and Bauhaus inspired, which was materialized through high-sheen metals, geometric shapes and patterns and tiles. Bold, geometric furniture and prints featured heavily in 1920s interior design.
How do I know what era My furniture is? ›Make sure to search for labels, stamps, or manufacturing tags that can tell when and where a piece was made. Furniture companies and makers often listed their names, locations, and year of production This information can be found on the inside of drawers, the backs of bureaus, and on the lower edges of pieces.
How did people decorate their homes in 1920? ›In the 1920s, interior design was characterized by glamour and sophistication, which was fueled by the Art Deco movement. The Art Deco movement played a major role in home decor in the 1920s. Major characteristics of the home during this time included geometric furniture, bold colors, and statement mirrors.
What did living rooms look like in the 1920s? ›
1920s: the living room
A comfortable living room was at the heart of any modern home floorplan and it would have generally had a fireplace as its focal point. Rich colours were used frequently in 1920s interior design; greens, reds, yellows, blues and purples would often be freely mixed.
Couch is predominantly used in North America, Australia, South Africa, and Ireland, whereas the terms sofa and settee (U and non-U) are most commonly used in the United Kingdom and India. The word couch originated in Middle English from the Old French noun couche, which derived from the verb meaning "to lie down".
What is Victorian style furniture? ›Victorian furniture is characterized by ornate carvings, dark woods, and heavy luxurious fabrics. Victorian furniture is traditionally made from mahogany, rosewood, or walnut, sometimes painted or gilded. Intricate carvings of natural images such as flowers, leaves, curling vines, ribbons, and bows adorned the pieces.
Why is a sofa called a davenport? ›The word davenport actually describes a specific type of sofa, made by the manufacturing company A. H. Davenport and Company. Davenports were similar to futons, as they could be converted into a bed.
What time period is modern furniture? ›Modern furniture refers to a specific style: the Modernist movement that began in the early 1900s with the Bauhaus school of design. These designs were a rebellion against the ornate designs that preceded them. Think of art deco designs, and all of their flourishes and ornamentations.
What are the elements of Art Deco? ›Art Deco objects often showcase simple, clean shapes, usually with a “streamlined” look; ornament that is geometric or stylized from representational forms such as florals, animals, and sunrays; and use of man-made substances, including plastics, vita-glass, and reinforced concrete, often combined with such natural ...
What kind of wood is Art Deco? ›Key Characteristics of Art Deco Design
First, Art Deco furniture designs are often meticulously crafted using exotic woods, materials and lacquer. The craftsmanship technique involves inlays of exotic woods such as Macassar ebony, zebrawood and rosewood.
Bauhaus furniture was designed to be functional above all other qualities. Stripped down to their basic elements, fundamental components like tabletops or legs were typically reduced to simple geometric forms.
What is postmodern furniture? ›In contrast to its antecedent, Modern style, Postmodern style is less rigid and less restrictive. It allows a mixture of various design styles and modern décor. It features a diverse mix of historical elements, craft revival, ergonomic furniture and art furnishings. Diversity is among the key principles of this style.
What was the furniture style in the 1940s? ›1940s-1950s
The mid century modern design movement began in the 1940s, a straightforward style that seemed appropriate in wartime. Mid century modern – often just called modernist – furniture was about being minimal. Furniture served a purpose, and function became the primary focus of all designs.
What city has the most Art Deco? ›
Estimated by some to have the world's largest number of Art Deco buildings after Miami, Mumbai boasts entire city blocks of Deco office buildings and rows of residences with uniquely Indian flourishes that came to be known as Deco Saracenic.
Where was Art Deco most popular? ›Art Deco, short for the French Arts Décoratifs, and sometimes just called Deco, is a style of visual arts, architecture, and product design, that first appeared in France in the 1910s (just before World War I), and flourished in the United States and Europe during the 1920s and 1930s.
What year is Art Deco style? ›The Art Deco Movement encompasses the 1920s and 30's, or the period between the wars. There was an overlap and transition from one movement to another and, in general, had it not been for the First World War, the Art Deco period would have begun earlier.
When did Art Deco end? ›In 1937 came the Exposition Internationale des Arts et Techniques dans la Vie Moderne. Its emphasis on science and technology decisively, if unintentionally, marked the end of the Art Deco period.
Who invented Art Deco furniture? ›The style undoubtedly originated from early 20th century France, and it is believed that the first one to use the diction 'Art Deco' was designer and architect Le Corbusier in a series of articles titled “1925 EXPO.
What year is Art Deco Waterfall furniture? ›Waterfall is a style of furniture design from the 1930s and 1940s. It was the most prevalent variation on Art Deco furniture during this time, primarily created for the mass market and for bedroom suites.
Is Art Deco still popular today? ›Art Deco style was at the height of its popularity during the 1920s and 1930s, but it remains a staple in interior design today. It can still be seen in architecture, furniture, textiles, wallpaper designs, jewelry, glassware, lighting fixtures, and more.
Is Art Deco making a comeback? ›Almost a century after the iconic aesthetic emerged, Art Deco is finally having its comeback.
Can you mix Art Deco and modern? ›Today, modern Art Deco style can be an effective way to create a dynamic interior with a hint of glamour, that nods to the past without looking dated.