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Art Deco In The Home

Art Deco In The Home

By Laura Blake

Coming to prominence in the 1920s, Art Deco was originally influenced by Art Nouveau and Cubism, as well as the glamorised image of early Hollywood. A household interior in this fashion would be characterised, somewhat paradoxically, by hedonistic ultra-modernity and the Machine Age but with a strong interest in ancient culture and indignity. Geometric and industrial straight angles forming eccentric shapes, sculptures and tribal patterns reflected the progressive grandeur, mass consumerism and indulgent expression of the period when Art Deco first came about.
 
Furniture should be in streamlined shapes, with fabric, fireplaces and walls solid and usually in metallic hues. These are contrasted with splashes of more striking yellows, turquoises, reds and rubies, for example, on cushions, ornaments, decorations and artworks. Think oyster walls with machine grey or Aztec bronze ornaments, furniture and appliances. Overlaying handmade rugs are also common in living rooms, sporting straight-line geometric patterns, and covering polished floors which are otherwise plain. Chrome and etched glass, as well as mirrors should be a focus for decorative shapes, gadgets and ornaments, which would preferably feature stepped profiles.
 
Bedroom
 
From the streamlined furniture to the very linear framing on the door and bordered skylight, this bedroom is cosy but bold. The warm and soft light browns and pale yellows are countered by the more striking whites, reds and purples. The stepped profiles on the two mirror frames are very classic Art Deco too.
 
Custom French Art Deco Bed in Silvertone Finish, Queen – £3,617
 
This silvertone painted and powder-finished heavy duty bed frame is entirely handmade, originally for the MGM Grand hotel in Las Vegas. A classically showy Art Deco design, it mixes square frame with eccentric geometric patterns while carrying a look of futuristic grandeur about it.
 
King Sized Gold Leaf and Lacquer Art Deco Hamanaka Headboard – £13,565
 
This Katsu Hamanka-made headboard with a rectilinear stepped pediment profile is stained in gold and trimmed with red lacquer. Made in the 1930s this magnificently original Art Deco piece is full of Eastern grandeur, and is currently in France, arguably the home of the movement.
 
Monroe Modern Art Deco Ivory Espresso Large Dresser – £2,165
 
This simple, straight-edged cabinet is made from stained wood and coated in creamy white ivory. A contemporary design, it is framed in black lacquer, with legs banded in nickel, perfectly combining the linear simplicity but bold colours that have always made Art Deco stand out.
 
Art Deco Binoculars on Stand – £4,500
 
Made from chrome, copper and brass these German binoculars, circa 1940, have been fully restored. Resting on a wooden, chrome and brass stand, these fully functional magnification binoculars are perfect as a bedroom ornament. With a mid-century futuristic look, they’d be at home in any Art Deco bedroom.
 
Streamlined Art Deco High Chest in the Manner of Donald Deskey – £3,300
 
Combining black lacquer with walnut wood, this entirely restored high chest is made to resemble the work of early Art Deco designer Donald Deskey. The American was responsible for the world famous interiors of the Radio City Music Hall in 1930, and this carries all his sleek trademarks.
 
Antique Chinese Art Deco Oval Hand Knotted Oriental Rug – £2,411
 
This beautifully hand knotted rug is an authentic antique from China. Art Deco is all about centrepieces and this furnishing, bordered in black, carries all the traits needed to suit the early-Deco theme. It is bold and unique with angular Oriental patterns.  
 
Art Deco Dome Lamp – £1,250
 
Sitting on an elegantly stepped chrome base, this restored desk lamp boasts a magnificently majestic dome top and marbled backlite. It is eccentric and quirky but also very sleek; resting on an Art Deco bedside table and next a bed with plenty of grandeur, this would be a perfect addition.
 
Pair of Swedish Art Deco Nightstands – £2,652
 
These twin-designed Swedish nightstands are hand-carved from flame birch wood. Incorporating a rosewood inlay and lip moulding these orange tinted nightstands, with dark framing have stepped profiles and an almost tribal look. Linear and box-like these are very classic Art Deco.  
 
Living Room
 
A mixture of soothing comfort with an eclectic edge, this living room has a typically subdued mid-century Art Deco design. The mixtures of soft and dark colours, bold furniture, as well as patterned mirror are all ideal for this theme. The replica vase on the mantle-piece and striking plants reflect that roaring twenties fascination with ancient artefacts and indignity.
 
Black Leather Bogart Sofa & Chair – £1,950
 
Named after Hollywood legend Humphrey Bogart this bold black leather set reflects Art Deco’s fascination with the silver screen. Looking like it is straight off the set of a Bogart movie, with added zebra print cushions, it is eccentrically commercial, if there is such a thing.
 
Red Womb Sofa 2-Seater Saarinen – £1,194
 
Bold colour, futurist design, this looks like it could’ve come from a not-too-distant future where style is far more important than comfort. A stand-alone piece of Art Deco furniture, it was designed in 1948 and combines a polished chrome frame with a cashmere, fibreglass and polyurethane upholstery. 
 
French Art Deco Leather Club Sofa – £4,823
 
This classic leather club sofa with patina sheen has a 1930s moustache style with wooden feet. Its metal frame opens up to reveal a sofa bed, something fairly common during the early part of the 20th Century. It can go anywhere from the living room to the office.
 
Art Deco Piano & Stool – £12,227
 
This chrome mounted piano is what a Hollywood star would’ve had sitting in their living room during the 1930s. Sleek and classy with sharp linear lines creating a box effect, it’s flanked by round ends and features chrome handles as well as a seat with a soft yellow cushion.
 
Art Deco Style Chandelier – £8,953
 
This glamorous but quirky chandelier, made from bronze and featuring tinted crystal drops is truly breath-taking. With all the classical grandeur of its period, it has artificial wax candles and the crystal is shaped into geometric patterns. It is the perfect focal point of an Art Deco living room. 
 
Art Deco Bronze Model Panther – £4,890
 
This majestic model panther was manufactured in 1930 by J. Brault; the prowling bronze predator stands on a marble rock base. It is a gloriously masculine ornament resembling the power of the Machine Age and the Art Deco love of the indigenous. 
 
Bronze Nude Statue by Frederic, Lord Leighton – £24,500
 
Officially named The Sluggard this miniature bronze statue was made in England in the late 19th Century and is based on model Giuseppe Valona. Bronze statuettes were very popular during the early Art Deco movement, and this would have been no exception. 
 
French Art Deco Rug – £9,948
 
This rug combines all the different Art Deco influences together, from Cubism to Art Nouveau. Being a revolutionary period for the common rug, this one features angular lines as well as figurative motifs. The contrast between soft and bold colours is also evident, as is the luxurious quality it exudes.
 
Kitchen 
 
This fairly rustic kitchen mixes rural themes with a metropolitan Machine Age quality. The chrome appliances, chequered floor, replica antique teapots and mixture of soft and hard colours in metallic hues carry a strong Art Deco influence. The expressive grandeur of the patterned light shades, as well as the use of plants in pots, give off an eccentric twenties edge.   
 
Home Styles Monarch Roll-Out Leg Granite Top Kitchen Island in Black and Oak – £572
 
This state-of-the-art kitchen island is painted a striking black and has a polished finish. It is both functional and high end, with a very sleek Art Deco look, whilst also being mobile thanks a hidden sliding mechanism. Made from both hardwood and engineered wood, it also features brushed nickel and opens up to reveal a breakfast bar.
 
Copper Range Hood with Screen Filters – £2,532
 
A brilliant feature for a rustic-modern Art Deco kitchen, it is functional and artistic. Entirely handmade from copper and steel with rubbed bronze oil colour this wall-mounted stove top hood is very majestic and perfect for an eccentric kitchen.
 
Atlantic Furniture Deco Dining Table – £143
Made from solid hardwood, this dark dining table and chair set with sleek finish also features cream coloured seat cushions. An ideal blend of simple light and dark, this contemporary Art Deco-inspired square design comes in a variety of sizes. It is striking, streamlined and would go perfectly in a metallic hue coloured room.

Art Deco Diner Painting – £771
 
This modern painting of an old-style American diner uses pigment inks, mixing dark turquoise-green with chrome and cream to create a very typical Art Deco impression. Painted by William Schmid it is described as a float-on-the-wall piece of art, backed by aluminium. This would be perfect on the kitchen wall with some dark wood furniture and appliances.

Consigned Silver Plated Art Deco Faceted Tea Set by Fenton Brothers (circa 1920) – £108
This straight-edged, angular silver plated chrome-effect tea set features black trims, produced in England during the 1920s. Perfect as an ornament set in the kitchen or for use, this set includes kettle and milk jug and was manufactured by the Fenton Brothers in Sheffield.

Wade Contemporary Art Deco Gold Glass Round Bar Cart – £759
 
This circular rolling serving cart is made from brass and has glass shelves, with mirror patterning around the edges. Perfect for moving food and drinks to the dining area or living room, this piece could also be simply used as an ornament in the kitchen.

RAR Armchair Fibreglass Eames – £226
Using technology originally developed for the US Navy in the Second World War, these rocking armchairs made from solid fibreglass were first revealed in 1950. Entered into a Museum of Modern Art contest in New York by designer Charles Eames they became very popular. 
 
Artichoke Lamp Henningsen – £429
 
This hanging artichoke-style lamp is the work of Danish designer Poul Henningsen in 1958. With a very contemporary look, it incorporates layers of metal leaves allowing light to shine from all angles with no glare. These lamps would be ideal to hang in an Art Deco-themed kitchen. 

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