Born of the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes in Paris in 1925, Art Deco is a sleek, anti-traditional style that has come to symbolize glamour and sophistication wrapped up in a streamlined look. The movement’s influence on art, design, interior décor and architecture can be seen in monumental examples such as Manhattan’s EmpireStateBuilding and Nevada’s Hoover Dam. While it is now considered ‘retro’, Art Deco features clean modern designs and simple shapes that are still apropos to today’s interiors. Because of its reliance on geometric shapes and stylized motifs, it may be used to inject a bit of refinement into a modern great room. Here are some tips for capturing this bold style from flooring to furniture, accessories and contemporary wall art.

Walls and Flooring

Certain geometrical shapes, such as sunrays, shells and ziggurats, are hallmark Art Deco designs that can be played up in stenciling and wall paper against stippled or rag painted walls in neutral colors. Or create a Miama South Beach Art Deco look with walls in shades of mango contrasted with aqua accents. Open-design concrete blocks with geometric pattern add see-through Art Deco definition to a large room .

Flooring options range from simple gleaming woods, parquet and inlaid woods, neutral low pile wall-to-wall carpeting or checkered tile linoleum. Area rugs with geometric patterns introduce softness and definition. Exotic animal prints are another popular Art Deco motif that can be used in area rugs or wall papers.

Simple Streamlined Furniture

Art Deco is characterized by use of modern materials such as stainless steel, aluminum, inlaid wood and lacquer; exotic materials such as sharkskin or zebra skin were also in vogue. Hallmark motifs for furniture include bold stepped geometric forms and sweeping curves, as well as chevron patterns and sunbursts. Contemporary versions may be found in materials such as leather, velour and chenille and they often feature geometric outlines and rounded corners. Coffee tables and cabinets with glossy lacquered finishes, paneled doors, glass tops and sliding doors are also common to the style, while Art Deco designs like sunbursts and chevrons may be etched into glass, chrome or steel elements of the furniture.

Stylized Lighting & Accessories

Among the most recognizable furnishings of the style are floor lamps, table lamps and wall sconces in chrome and glass with frosted glass shades in fan, shell or bowl shapes. Fringed and tassels lampshades or colored glass shades with geometric, floral, fruit or animal designs are also common. One of the most popular Art Deco lamp styles features a sculptured base in the shape of a woman holding a softly diffused illuminated globe. Antique stores or online sites are terrific sources for original or reproduction Art Deco style lamps.

Typical Art Deco motifs included flat abstracted garlands of flowers, flowing fountains, running deer, chevrons, lightning flashes, and sunbursts. These motifs may turn up in every kind of accessory, such as fire screens, pillows, curtains, picture frames, wall art metal, wall mirrors, glass bowls and vases, knick-knacks and collectibles. Bright hues such as orange, green, purple or lavender provide dramatic contrast against monochromatic grey, white and black. Art Deco features exotic themes as well, so African or South American collectibles such as tribal masks, framed prints or other collectibles add an eclectic twist. Bronze sculptures are favored accents that add glamour and a large potted floor palm brings classic urban glitz to the space.

All text copyright Relica. Photo from Flikr - "retro living room" courtesy of back_garage.