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How to decorate your home in art deco style
As the movement turns 100, take interiors inspiration from its rich colours and geometric lines
To draw inspiration from the art deco era, you don’t have to go full Great Gatsby. Yes, the design movement has become a watchword for opulence, but there is also much to be gleaned from its attention-grabbing colour palette and geometric approach to form. To emulate this architectural side of art deco style, you can pair pops of colour with bright white or select fabrics and furniture pieces that nod to its love of bold lines. It’s about honouring the past without veering into pastiche.
‘Vraisemblance’ fabric, Casamance
Straight gold lines meet sweeping arches in this pattern, a polyamide and jacquard weave fabric by Casamance. Because of its weight, it’s ideal for creating curtains – we’d recommend using it to cloak a living room or create a cocoon around a bedroom. £91 per m, casamance.com
‘Quench’ tile, Claybrook
The key to nailing this trend is all about balance. Pair opulent, art deco-inspired furniture and accessories with a palate cleanser like this off-white tile by British company Claybrook. £70 per sq m, claybrookstudio.co.uk
‘Pose’ task light, Tom Dixon
Sharp angles and conical shapes were catnip for architects and designers operating in the 1920s, and are easy to introduce to any contemporary room. Start with something small such as a table lamp if you’re hesitant about trying the trend. Tom Dixon’s ‘Pose’, with its strong silhouette is an obvious choice. £295, tomdixon.net
‘Cuba Libre’ side table, Roche Bobois
Turquoise is one of those colours that radiates optimism plus, it’s the perfect companion to gold. This three-legged bedside table by Daniel Rode in the powerful hue will bring a shot of colour to even the most dreary of mornings. £1,420, roche-bobois.com
‘Coral’ bookend, L’Objet
Enticing jewel tones and rich materials were all the rage in interiors of the art deco period, and this unique bookend captures both elements in one piece. Plus, it is plated in 24K gold and features thousands of coral gemstones, making it the ultimate dazzling accessory. £1,215, uk.l-objet.com
‘Lituus’ vase, Georg Jensen
The Danish design brand Georg Jensen, best known for its expert silversmithing, has released a statement vase by Anne Boyse. Crafted from hand-polished stainless steel, the vase is designed to support a flower bouquet throughout its lifecycle – from freshly cut through to wilting stems. £159, georgjensen.com
‘Conway’ wallcovering, Zoffany
This characterful wallcovering takes its name from Gordon Conway, an American artist and illustrator who captured the zeitgeist of the jazz age. The rotary pattern, which repeats itself in a kaleidoscope manner, is a faithful interpretation of a 1930s piece. £170 per roll, zoffany.sandersondesigngroup.com
‘Liberta’ jug, Ichendorf Milano
For a jug that wouldn’t look out of place at a party during the prohibition era, let us introduce you to ‘Liberta’ by Margherita Rui. Its sculptural form takes notes from the shapes of the past, while the translucent green glass handle and stopper add a touch of glamour. £42, twentytwentyone.com
‘Helena’ cushion, Christina Lundsteen
A soft velvet cover and feather-filled middle make the ‘Helena’ cushion a tactile accessory for any sofa. Smart blue and red stripes meanwhile add character. Approx £135, christinalundsteen.com
‘Meantime’ armchair, &Tradition
Armchairs from the art deco period are renowned for their low-slung silhouette and tilted backrest. Design duo Anderssen & Voll has taken this unique form and given it a contemporary twist by making the feet from cast aluminium which is either polished or powder-coated. £2,410, hollowaysofludlow.com
‘Norr Mälarstrand 01’ rug, Nordic Knots
Although this rug is actually inspired by Swedish Funkis – a 1930s architecture and design movement that championed functionality and clean lines – we think it has a very art deco feel to it. Designed by Andreas Martin-Löf, it’ll immediately transform a living room into a warming, welcoming space. From £845, nordicknots.com
‘Sphera Fan’ mirror, Moustache
Fans were popular accessories during the 1920s, yet they were also adopted by art deco artists and designers, who appreciated their symmetrical shape and radiating lines. The ‘Sphera Fan’ by Jean-Baptiste Fastrez captures the beauty of the shape in a mirror that’s the perfect size for a powder room. From approx £430, moustache.fr
‘Pyl’ wall light, Petite Friture
This wall light by Marie Cornil and Alexandre Willaume speaks to the simple lines and high shine glamour associated with the movement. Available in two sizes, the tubular fixture emits light at each end through glass discs. Approx £560, petitefriture.com
‘Overlap’ three-seater sofa, SCP
With it simple, streamlined body, lack of ornamentation and rich blue upholstery fabric, ‘Overlap’ looks straight out of the 1920s. It’s the work of British designer Terenence Woodgate, who was inspired to create the sofa while playing around with blocks. From £6,398, scp.co.uk
Limited-edition ‘SCR’ low table, Niko Koronis
Handcrafted in the Netherlands by atelier STRS, this limited-edition table is made of 100 per cent resin. Angular edges define its steps, which are ideal for showcasing your ornaments and sculptures on. £29,837, studiotwentyseven.com
Heavyweight cotton velvet, Rose Uniacke
For a luxurious take on the style, interior designer Rose Uniacke’s weighty cotton velvet in ‘Aqua’ might be the answer. It’s made with a longer pile than her existing cotton velvet offering, which gives it a plush look and feel. £193 per m, roseuniacke.com
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