An Intro to Art Deco
An Intro to Art Deco
If there is one thing that Miami is known for other than its beaches, it’s the prevalence of art deco style in the area.
Art deco has been described as a “style of contradictions” according to an article on The Spectator. It is a visual arts, architecture, and design style that is characterized by looking modern (but not being Modernist), frivolous but austere, and individual yet universal. It is this set of contradictions that make the design appealing because it essentially blends just about everything to give people what they are looking for. And it’s in Miami, which this style has really come to the fore.
Miami has kept the 1920s Parisian architecture motif alive in the city. The photos presented in this artice by Miami Beach USA can serve as your inspiration in redecorating your home in art deco style.
This “anything goes” motif is what makes giving your home an art deco makeover less of a challenge, as opposed to renovating it following a different style. Nonetheless, there are some characteristics of art deco that you will need to remember when giving your home a makeover.
According to an article on The Spruce, art deco is characterized by strong geometric shapes and angular lines. However, what would otherwise be austere to the point of being harsh is somewhat countered by the incorporation of styles from other cultures, such as Greco-Roman, Egyptian, or Asian.
An article on Mental Floss, meanwhile says that art deco tends to use chrome, stainless steel, and inlaid wood, so accents in your home can use these materials. It also makes use of bold patterns, such as zebra print, zigzags, and big curves. This can be incorporated in your home via murals with bold patterns.
If these are too bold for you, you can instead repaint your home, or dress up your home by using colors traditionally associated with the art deco style as accents. Art deco color schemes can be categorized into three: bold (ranging from emerald green and canary yellow to scarlet red); metallic, which can include the gradients of black and white; and neutrals (cream, beige, and taupe).
In terms of the actual layout, rooms done in art deco style usually have one object in the room serving as the centerpiece. Polished hardwoods can be set against neutral settings, the rich browns of the furniture drawing the eye. Metallic accents, such as bronze or burnished steel, can also be used as décor to mimic the era, not to mention adding a touch of glamor in the room. It would be good if all your metallic accents are made from the same material for a consistent look. These can be set to a background in a neutral shade, to the point of being severe, to make these accents pop.
Alternatively, you can do the exact opposite by using bold colors for your background and neutral/light-colored items as your accent pieces. Do not combine a bold color for your background with statement pieces, as this will be too much.
