INT 232 History of Interiors, Art, Furnishing II

 

INT 232
Ruth Hernandez

Art Deco 

The topic for the week is Art Deco, which is a style of design that originated in the 1920s and 1930s and is characterized by its boldness, glamour, and modernity. Art Deco is considered to be the result of the post-Art Nouveau and pre-Modernism movements, which did not discard the idea of luxury or innovation as Art Nouveau did.

 Art Deco is the result of the optimism of the machine age, the advances made in technology, the excitement of speed, travel, and the exotic. Art Deco interiors featured modern elements with luxurious treatments and bold statements. It is considered to be a modern and luxurious style, reminiscent of theaters, hotels, skyscrapers, and luxury homes.

Art Deco is famous for the use of geometric forms like zigzags, chevron patterns, sunbursts, and stepped forms. This style is used in architecture, furniture, floors, and other elements.  Art Deco designers used luxurious materials like lacquer, chrome, glass, marble, ebony, and other high-end veneers. This gave the space a sense of opulence. 

Art Deco interiors lack the organic feel of the flowing curves used in the Art Nouveau style. Instead, the space is highly structured. Art Deco interiors often feature bold contrasts in color, like the combination of black and white, along with metallic shades like gold or silver, and deep colors like emerald green or navy blue.

Furniture in the Art Deco period is sleek but decorative. Pieces often have smooth, polished surfaces with curved edges or stepped forms. Designers incorporated materials like chrome, glass, and lacquer to create a modern yet luxurious look.

Interiors often included mirrored surfaces, glossy finishes, and decorative lighting. Floors might feature bold geometric patterns, and walls could include paneling or stylized motifs. Lighting fixtures themselves became statement pieces, often designed with glass and metal to reflect the era’s fascination with technology and elegance.

One Step Further: Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann

Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann is considered one of the most important furniture designers of the Art Deco period. He is known for his beautiful, high-quality furniture pieces made from the finest materials. His furniture pieces were known for their rich wood veneers, curved shapes, and subtle ornamentation.

The furniture of Ruhlmann represents the refined, sophisticated side of the Art Deco style. Even though the style celebrated modernity, Ruhlmann’s furniture pieces still reflected the traditional craftsmanship of the era. His work is interesting because it combines modernity with luxury.

Closing Reflection: 

Learning about Art Deco was interesting because design can be a combination of modern ideas, luxury, and decoration. Unlike other design movements, which emphasized functionality alone, Art Deco demonstrates how design can be decorative, bold, luxurious, and modern.

I find this design style interesting because it represents a particular moment in history when people were enthusiastic about the future, progress, and technology. Some of the design elements of Art Deco, such as the use of geometry and metal, can be seen in modern designs.

Sources

Hinchman, M. (2024). History of Interior Architecture Furniture, Design, and Global Culture (2nd ed.). Fairchild.

Hinchman, M. (2014). The Fairchild Dictionary of Interior Design (3rd ed.). Bloomsbury.