Art Deco Inspiration
A little bit of history…
Art Deco is one of the styles most associated with Paris. The term Art Deco originates with the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes in 1925. Art Deco contrasted with the existing organic forms in the Art Nouveau movement as it developed a sleeker, more modern aesthetic using geometric forms under the influence of developing technologies (steam engines, mechanisation…). Famous Art Deco buildings in Paris include the Théâtre des Champs Elysées and the recently renovated Samartiaine department store. As an aside, the difference between Art Nouveau and Art Deco is a long-standing discussion between my husband and I since a trip to Barcelona many years ago!
Architectural elements
As you can see in the above photo-realistic rendering, there are several architectural elements which can be added to a room and used to signify the Art Deco style. The floor here is a herringbone parquet, which is typical of the Haussmannian period (from the middle of the 19th Century), but which give the clue that this is Paris. I’ve added a black border to frame the floor, inspired by the floor at the Art Deco Eltham Palace in London. The base board is dark at relatively tall. The crown molding is stepped, the geometric form again showing that this from the Art Deco period.
Furniture
I have selected furniture with geometric forms in mind: the sofa is rounded, there are cylindrical ceramic and hexagonal mahogany side tables, There are oriental influences here too, referencing the French Indochina colonies: the mirror to the left, the screen hung as art behind the sofa, the pale green ceramic side-tables and the banana-palm standing lamp. The use of mirror and glass were much in use during the Art Deco period as the techology behind these materials advanced. Hence my choice of the mirrored console table, the glass lamp bases and the chandelier. The flower handle on the buffet is a clin d’oeil (‘wink’, or reference) to the organic motifs of the Art Nouveau movement.
Styling
As I find that an interior is always more visually pleasing if there are a variety of textures, here there is some velvet (sofa and midnight blue armchair) to give some softness and luxury. This contrasts with the smooth marble and soft gold aspects of the coffee table and with the cane armchair.
In terms of colour, the soft pink of the sofa sets the pastel tones in the throw pillows and is echoed in the artwork on the right hand side.
A rug with a geometric pile design grounds and centres the seating area, and softens the parquet.
Parisian Online Design
All of the furniture and accessories in the render above has been sourced from US based suppliers. If you would like me to help you bring some Paris style into your home in the US or Canada, I’d love to talk to you about it, you can book a Discovery Call here.