Art Deco style is one of the most wanted after design schemes especially for bedrooms. The simplistic glamour and sleekness of art deco design makes it perfect for a striking bedroom scheme. Art Deco was characterised by it’s bold yet simple and deliberate shapes, attractive ‘patterns’ and neutral luxurious colour palette.
A portrayal of wealth and affluence was significant of bedroom furniture design from the Art Deco period which originated in Europe in the early part of the 20th century particularly taking precedence after the Great War and symbolising the 1920s and 1930s. It was often used in cruise liners, and many Hollywood movies of the 1930s portray it perfectly.
The Art Deco period was one of sophistication and glamour with a quiet touch of extravagance and money. Glamorous with an eclectic mix of textures and designs summed up this sumptuously design forward look. The Art Deco bedroom was one that made a feature out of the bedroom no longer leaving it just for sleeping but rather a room for spending time, relaxing and luxuriating in.
Much of the furnishings of Art Deco were a reaction to the austerity of World War I. Walls were painted cream or brown, and although left mostly plain, would sometimes have a thin border stenciled underneath the ceiling and in corners. Paint finishes such as ragging or stippling were common. Moquettes, velvet and leather appeared as upholstery materials, and furniture had pronounced rounded corners. The visible woodwork was usually in lighter colored finishes.
Moving the bedroom on from a place for your bed and to sleep in left room for the introduction of a wider range of pieces of bedroom furniture. For instance the bedroom was no longer just for a bed but there were armchairs, chaise lounges, writing desks, feature lamps, rugs and screens. In keeping with the general theme of the Art Deco style, light fittings were streamlined. A typical feature was the wall light, in a fan or bowl shape. If shades were used they had deep fringes on the edges, and the lamp bases were often made of figurines.
The Art Deco movement in bedroom furniture showcased the varieties of wood that could be utilized and the different look that each type gave to the overall feel of the room. Some of the most popular choices were Violet Wood, richly vibrant in colour originating from Brazil and also known as Kingwood. Ebony and Mahogany because of there striking colours and their connotative indications of affluence and expense were also popular choices for bedroom furniture in an Art Deco room.
Wood played a huge part in the Art Deco movement being shaped and formed into exquisite patterns and shapes, often combined with other pieces of furniture in a mixture of textiles such as in an armchair with a wood inlay. Another trend was the massively popular parquet flooring of the 20s and 30s which was a geometric pattern of wood giving a much sought after wood effect which is still a popular choice of flooring today.
The Art Deco bedroom colour scheme was one of two facets from the luxurious, natural colour palette of cream, monochrome, dove and gunmetal grey to strong geometric patterns and striking sunbursts. Often the richer colours were used as accents in an Art Deco bedroom with the fabric of a dressing table stool, or cushions on an armchair or bed linen being a slightly bolder more striking colour choice than the walls or larger pieces of furniture which were often wood anyway.
Art Deco style:
– geometric and angular shapes
– chrome, glass, shiny fabrics, mirrors and mirror tiles
– stylised images of aeroplanes, cars, cruise liners, skyscrapers
– nature motifs – shells, sunrises, flowers
– theatrical contrasts – highly polished wood and glossy black lacquer mixed with satin and furs.
