Art Deco
How 2 Create a Jazzy Art Deco Bedroom in 6 Easy Steps
This article contains information and tips to help you create your little piece of Art Deco style. The colours, patterns, designs, furniture styles and decorative detailing of the Art Deco era will be revealed. Added to this are lists of where to find more information and suppliers of Art Deco items. If you follow the 6 easy steps you can easily put together your Art Deco master piece.
During the Art Deco era interior design was a main focus. Smooth surfaces, exotic materials and repeated geometric forms characterise this style. The style became part of the ‘Swinging Twenties’ part of the ‘Jazz Age’.
Tip: Read through the whole article before you start following the steps
Step 1: Know what makes Art Deco different from Art Nouveau
Art Deco is a jazzy style with straight lines, geometric and abstracted shapes used in buildings, furniture and decorative details. This is the main difference from the earlier Art Nouveau style with its flowing lines, organic curved rounded forms, fantasy themes and gentle pastel colours. In comparison Art Deco is bold, colourful, showy and dramatic.
Tip: Look for
- Straight lines
- Geometric shapes
- Abstract patterns
- Egyptian scarab
- Sun Motifs
- Stepped ziggurat shapes
- Fan shapes
- Aztec symbols
- Stylised flowers
Step 2: Become familiar with examples of Art Deco design
You can do this from the comfort of your computer desk. Just use the information below to inform your research. This is the easiest way, but you can also visit your local library or you can research in your local area.
Tip: An easy way to find visual information is to do a Google image search. Please note some images labeled as Art Deco are in fact Art Nouveau
In France
- Emile –Jacques Ruhlmann a leader of French interior design and furniture design between 1918 – 1925
- Paul Iribe
- Andre Groult
- Neuilly Villa designed 1929 by Pierre Legrain
- Eileen Gray in 1920 designed Suzanne Talbot’s apartment
Art Deco USA
Design in the USA was Influenced by French Art Deco after the 1925 Paris exhibition. The Americans loved the bright surfaces and abstract patterns of the style. The 1933 World’s Fair ‘Century of Progress’ in Chicago saw many Art Deco motifs, designs and shapes used for example the rising sun motif and stepped ziggurat.
Ely Jacques Kahn designed Art Deco skyscraper entrance lobbies
- Bricken Building
- Chrysler Building
- Empire State Building
- Banking Hall of the Irving Trust Company
Step 3: Select floor covering
For a bedroom plain wall to wall fitted carpet would be an excellent choice. This was a popular floor treatment of the time. Although geometric patterns and Sarouk Persian or Turkish carpets in geometric or floral salmon pink were popular in the States. In Britain large repeat patterns in soft muted colours (similar to William Morris designs) were used in hotels and on ocean liners.
French carpets were formal in style with highly stylised floral designs. Brilliantly coloured carpets with abstract patterns were used in theaters and department stores in the US and France.
Animal skin floor rugs could also be used in your bedroom. Zebra skin rugs were popular and placed over the plain carpets. Linoleum continued to be popular as did parquet floors.
Tip: What you choose for the floor will influence all your other choices. Remember this when you make your selection.
Art Deco Floors:
- Plain
- Geometric
- Zebra skin
- Persian
- Turkish (Sarouk)
Carpets Available in Art Deco Style
Stark’s Navarre design
Stark’s Laseine design
Bosanquet’s Ives trellis design
Axminster Carpets’ Honeycomb design
Step 4: Select the wallpaper and paint colours
You may want to create a modern styled room with an Art Deco twist or create a room to reflect a real impression from the Art Deco times. Strong colours were used as a reaction to the pastels of the Art Nouveau style. However colours did vary between countries and the decades of the Art Deco era.
In a bedroom green, ultramarine, sea green or deep blue could create a peaceful retreat. But black, red, crimson, burnt orange or hot pink could create a dramatic bold statement. Or a sophisticated elegant atmosphere could be created by using white on white, cream, coffee, beige, bluff or chocolate brown.
Tip: Some colours work better in a bedroom. Greens and blues are said to decrease the heart rate. Reds and oranges are said to stimulate and increase the heart rate.
Art Deco colours
- Chocolate brown
- Red
- Black
- Hot Pink
- Beige
- Coffee
- White on White
- Ultramarine
Walls, ceilings and woodwork were often smooth and sometimes glossy. Wallpapers were also popular. If you want drama and excitement in your scheme then wallpapers with bold geometric, Egyptian or Aztec motifs in vibrant colours would achieve this.
The wallpaper designs of the 1930′s could create a sophisticated elegant look. The tea stained colours heighted with silver or gold would create a rich, smart interior space.
A truly feminine room could be created using one of the many Art Deco floral design wallpapers. Or a classic modern Art Deco look could be achieved by using geometric patterns in cubist like designs.
Wallpaper
- Stylised Flowers
- Stripes
- Geometric
- Egyptian motifs
- 1930′s (tea stained colours highlighted with silver or gold)
Wallpaper Sources
Bradbury and Bradbury’s Glasgow Panel
G.P. & J. Baker’s Rose & Hummingbird
Step 5: Select the Furniture
The interiors of the Art Deco era housed furniture with straight (sometimes curved) clean lines. To create a classic modern room glass and chrome could be used. Lacquered furniture was also popular at this time so could be used to create an elegant sophisticated style.
Exotic timbers could be used to create bold statements and rooms with a sense of drama. Upholstery was often designed in geometric patterns, but plain fabrics were often used. Large tasseled cushions of varying shapes covered with sumptuous fabrics were popular. Using cushions in this manner would create a more informal look.
Tip: It is best to make the final choice on paint colour selections after the furniture has been selected
Furniture
- Chrome
- Glass
- Veneered exotic timbers
- Lacquered: Black, Scarlet, Pale yellow
Step 6: Select Art Deco Accessories
Ornaments were sparsely used during the Art Deco period. The classical minimal modern look was starting to have an impact at this time and influenced Art Deco design. The stepped profile is considered the shape of the Art Deco era. Abstracted fans, sunrise and Egyptian motifs were also popular.
Lamps with female figurers holding a ball are a well known icon of the Art Deco era. Also cushion were used in strongly coloured rooms, often black and red with red lacquer-work furniture and China pagoda lamps.
So what could you use to finish off your Art Deco room? Fan design table lamps or a girl with a ball lamp could be used with sleek lacquered furniture or with exotic timber or glass and chrome pieces.
A mirror in a fan or step design would work well with most furniture designs. Art Deco interiors rarely displayed paintings however murals were sometimes used. Ornaments in bronze and other metals of the female or animal form were in vogue at this time so could make a nice addition to your Art Deco bedroom.
Tip: One piece of Art Deco; a lamp, piece of furniture or wallpaper could be the starting point of your interior decorating scheme. Everything else selected should then relate to that object.
This article has illustrated there are three main themes you can use to create your bedroom in an Art Deco style.
You could create:
- A bold dramatic room with strong colours, bold geometric patterns and exotic timber furniture.
- Or secondly you could create a classic modern style using chrome and glass furniture, abstract patterns and muted or neutral colours with strong contrast.
- Or a luxurious sophisticated room could be created using lacquered furniture, subtle patterns and tea stained coloured wallpaper with silver or gold stripes.
That is not to say you can’t mix some of the items from each style to create a really individual take on Art Deco. The important thing to remember when creating an Art Deco room; the motifs, patterns and designs are basically the same. I will be writing a series on Art Deco on my Creative Buzzing blog http://creativebuzzing.blogspot.com/2010/06/art-deco-link-2-king-tut.html I invite you to visit. It will be loaded with information and images.
Some Art Deco Sources
USA
Modern Gallery French & American Art Deco
Art Deco Collection
Art Deco Rugs
UK
Antique Suppliers and Reproduction Suppliers Directory
Rupert Cavendish Antiques
The Art Deco Home
Australia
Art Deco Online Store
Art Deco World
About the Author
Rosena works as an interior design, retail and visual merchandising tutor for Australian College QED. She I has also worked for the Retail Traders Association of Victoria as a Retail Trainer. Rosena has a Diploma in Interior Design, Post Graduate Diploma in Public and Community Health and is a qualified trainer. She also works as an interior design consultant, creates designer art work and is the Australian agent of Sample Board a new cool FREE digital mood board editor for the creative industries.
What is Art Deco
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RIE CRAMER: TWO LADIES SEWING/ ART DECO/VINTAGE $6.31 |
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mussel shell pewter snuff box /pill box/ earing box art deco contemporary style $31.61 |
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Dressed PUSSY CAT w/ X-MAS Tree by RAKOVA Rus ART DECO $6.00 |
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RAY KENNEDY CD Country Monty Powell Art Deco Jimmy Lee Sloas ATLANTIC 1992 $6.95 |
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Essential Art Deco, Ghislaine Wood, New $22.45 |
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Vintage Art Deco Porcelain Flower Cameo Pin / Brooch $64.99 |
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ART DECO VINTAGE PIN LARGE DOMED GOLDTONE USA Estate 100s in store gt $48.00 |
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ART DECO CLIP AUTHENTIC Red Stone Clip 1920s USA Estate 100s in store pr $24.00 |
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Late Edwardian and Art Deco solid silver hair brushes for scrap $41.97 |
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Vintage Rare Movado Art Deco Bauhaus Military style Classic Slim Dress Watch $553.25 |
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JAY: Old BIRD Birds ART DECO Print 1932 1st Ed: Woodcut $11.84 |
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Art Deco Chase c 1930`s Copper Flaring Cylindrical Pitcher ~ Walter Von Nessen! $149.95 |
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ART DECO SENTIMENTAL JAR CANDLE ~ ROSE SCENTED $12.95 |
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Mix Flower Moon Star Heart Shape Crystal Nail Art Glitter Rhinestone Deco wheel $4.29 |
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Mid Century Modernism Lidded Candy Dish Attributed to Walter Von Nessen & Chase $74.95 |
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1920s ANTIQUE ART DECO BLACK REAL LEATHER LADIES PURSE $150.00 |
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L1735 ART DECO NOUVEAU WOMAN FLOWERS 1900 POSTCARD $20.00 |
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Vtg 80s Colorful Art Deco VALENTI Fuzzy ANGORA Soft LAMBSWOOL Sweater DRESS M/L $45.00 |
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VINTAGE ART SILVERPLATE DECO BONBON CANDY HOLDER BASE $200.00 |
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EGYPT CAMEL & old arab Vintage ART DECO colorful PC $29.99 |
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Pair 5-bar Silver Art Deco Toast Racks Birmingham 1937 Roberts & Dore 100g $237.11 |
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Koi Princes Gold Fish Wall Deco Art Vinyl Sticker Decal $14.99 |
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Koi Princes Gold Fish Wall Deco Art Vinyl Sticker Decal $14.99 |
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VERY RARE ART DECO CYMA 3 DAY WATCH $399.00 |
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Spring FAIRY w/ Flowers Vintage ART DECO Rare PC $29.99 |
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Harmony House China Cabinet Mid Century Mod Beautiful matching Buffee available $225.61 |
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Harmony House Credenza Mid Century Mod Beautiful Blonde matching hutch avail $225.61 |
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WKS Modern Original Abstract Landscape Palette Knife Art Deco Oil Painting CX883 $139.00 |
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PILGRIM Butterfly Necklace Silver White ART NOUVEAU Deco BNWT RRP £25.90 $27.66 |
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Wooden Pepper Mill Pep Art William Bounds Robert Wilhelm Art Deco $24.95 |
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WKS Modern Original Abstract Landscape Palette Knife Art Deco Oil Painting CX744 $129.00 |
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Sterling Silver MARCASITE & SAPPHIRE Art Deco Style Ring Size L – 99p start! $13.47 |
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(12) 18 mm 20´s VINTAGE CZECH ART DECO FLOWER BLACK GLASS BUTTONS $9.90 |
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Superior Woman & Little Man Fantasy Vintage ART DECO PC $23.99 |
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(12) 14 mm 20´s VINTAGE CZECH ART DECO FLOWER BLACK GLASS BUTTONS $7.50 |
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(12) doll s 10 mm 20´s VINTAGE CZECH ART DECO FLOWER BLACK GLASS BUTTONS $5.50 |
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ANTIQUE ART DECO 14K GOLD PEARL DAISY FLOWER FINE BROOCH PIN $165.00 |
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19C. ANTIQUE ART DECO HAND CROCHETED WHITE BED COVER $1,200.00 |
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colorful landscape oil painting on canvas modern abstract art deco K102 $9.99 |
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Cricut Art Deco Cartridge JUST LAUNCHED, Brand-New & Ready To Ship $20.72 |
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FAIRY Belly Dancer on Bird ART DECO UnSign CHIOSTRI old $59.99 |
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Large Modern Abstract Art Oil Painting Wall Deco canvas (No Frame) $0.50 |
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ART DECO BIG PORCELAIN FIGURINE OF A NAKED WOMAN-ARTIST SIGNED–14″ BY 14″ $449.00 |
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NEW YORKER Magazine Cover March 2, 1935 ART DECO Mothers and Children Back Ad $9.35 |
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ART DECO CZECH GILDED PORCELAIN FIGURINE –A WOMAN W/ A HORN OF PLENTY $159.00 |
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Vintage Cuba german ruby red Sapphire blue crystal Art Deco lion charm earrings $24.17 |
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KATERINA ART DECO WALL LIGHT PSL/G429 $189.68 |
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Art Deco Vintage lilac purple lavender reflector glass antiqued brass earrings $19.68 |
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Vintage North Electric Art Deco Phone in Black Bakelite w/ Rotary Dial $34.99 |
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Beautiful! Large Modern Abstract Art Oil Painting Wall Deco canvas $0.52 |
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art deco Chameleon Sculpture Marguerite Anne de Blonay teracotta Nancy school $940.52 |
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Vintage Automatic Electric Art Deco Phone in Black Bakelite w/ Rotary Dial $80.00 |
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Vintage Signal Corps .US. Army Art Deco Phone in Black Bakelite w/ Rotary Dial $34.99 |
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Art Deco $30 Art Deco is the fifth title in the highly successful DK Collector’s Guides series. Written by world-renowned expert Judith Miller and specialist consultants, the book explores the defining design style of the 1920s and 30s. Structured by popular collectin |
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Art Deco Twelve-Tier Candelabra $245 Art Deco Twelve-Tier Candelabra |
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Art Deco Double Wine holder $80 Art Deco Double Wine holder |
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Art Deco Pearl Earclips $157 Vintage Art Deco mixed with the modern glamour of SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS. Add elegance with the Art Deco Pearl Collection! Made with SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS |
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Art Deco Pearl Necklace $115 Vintage Art Deco mixed with the modern glamour of SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS. Add elegance with the Art Deco Pearl Collection! Made with SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS |
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Dakota Smith Art Deco $161.85 Dakota Smith Art Deco Eyeglasses for Men are available at BestBuyEyeglasses.com in the following colors: Black, Brown. The style is Rectangle and the frame material is Metal. Dakota Smith Art Deco Rimless. These frames accept prescription lenses. |
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Art Deco Necklace $128 Vintage Art Deco mixed with the modern glamour of SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS. Add elegance to your outfit! Made with SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS |
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Art Deco Volume $85 Download the Art Deco Volume font for Mac or Windows in OpenType, TrueType or PostScript format. |
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Art Deco Value Pack $99 Download the Art Deco Value Pack font for Mac or Windows in OpenType, TrueType or PostScript format. |
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Art Deco Mirror $1127.5 Art Deco Mirror. Manufacturer: Cyan Design. Brand: Cyan Design. Part Number: 00867 |
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Art Deco Trapez Necklace $170 The clean lines of Kandiyoti�s latest necklace design, Art Deco Trapez, create a crystal-adorned, 1920s fan shape ��vintage Art Deco mixed with the modern glamour of SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS. Made with SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS |
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Art Deco Ring $55 This art deco ring is full of high-quality luster. A combination of clear crystals and black backdrop transform this adjustable ring into a masterpiece. Gold plated designs plastered across the ring give the piece its art deco inspired look. |
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Art Deco Hoops $85 The art deco comeback – eclectic, modern and chic. This style can be worn with anything. 2″ Hoop Available in Gold, Rosegold, Silver Post Backing |
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Orange Art Deco Ring $60 You’ll appreciate the orange art deco ring. Theoxidized silver plated ring shines with the orange crystals. Theintricate designs at the top also trickle down to the sides. |
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Art Deco Removable Ice Bucket with Two Plates $640 Art Deco Removable Ice Bucket with Two Plates |
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Art Deco Floor Wine Stand with Ice Bucket $344 Art Deco Floor Wine Stand with Ice Bucket |
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Art Deco Three-Tier Iron Wine Holder $159 Art Deco Three-Tier Iron Wine Holder |