Design Ideas: Art Deco

The Art Deco movement was a creative but short-lived movement, spanning from 1925 to 1940. It not only influenced the architecture of most American cities, but also had an impact fashion, art, and furniture. It was a refreshing change from the eclectic and revivalist sensibilities that preceded it and Americans embraced the movement willfully. The name comes from the Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs held in Paris in 1925 as a showcase for new inspiration. Buildings were richly embellished with hard-edged, low-relief designs. Shapes and decorations inspired by Native American artwork were among the archetypes of the Art Deco lexicon.

Characteristics

Rectangular blocky forms were often arranged in geometric fashion in classic Art Deco styles, which were then broken up by curved ornamental elements. The aim was always a monolithic appearance with applied decorative motifs.

Profiles

            Art Deco homes primarily used stucco, concrete, smooth-faced stone, and Terracotta. Steel and aluminum were often used along with glass blocks and decorative opaque plate glass (vitrolite).

Roof

Art Deco styles make use of flat roofs with parapets, spires or tower-like constructs to accentuate a corner or entrance. Decorative curiosities such as chimneys were added to further enhance the design.

Windows

Windows in Art Deco designs are more like punctured openings that are either square or round and were often arranged in continuous, horizontal bands of glass to maintain a streamlined appearance for the building. Wall openings are filled with decorative glass or with glass blocks, creating a contrast of solid and void forms while admitting daylight.

Doors

Art Deco doorways are sometimes surrounded with elaborate pilasters and pediments and door surrounds are often embellished with reeding or fluting, the extent of which are up to the designer entirely.

Color

Most Art Deco-style homes appear in either white or cream, and only light tones.