Creating Art Deco Interior Design
Art Deco interior design embodies all things elegant, luxurious, and modern. At GRECODECO, we draw inspiration from this iconic era to create spaces that are both timeless and contemporary.
In today’s blog, we will explore the characteristics of Art Deco design, its historical significance, and how it influences our work, particularly at our Villa Inkognito project.
What is Art Deco?
Art Deco, short for Arts Décoratifs, is a design movement that began in the 1920s and gained popularity in the 1930s across Europe and the United States. Its name is derived from the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes, which was held in Paris in 1925 and first showcased the style. Art Deco represents modernism made fashionable, encompassing various forms of design such as architecture, interior design, fashion, and art. Traditionally, it symbolizes wealth and sophistication, and its bolder appearance is a departure from the more subdued styles of preceding eras.
Defining Characteristics of Art Deco
Art Deco is characterized by sleek, streamlined designs that often have chrome embellishments and geometric patterns. The style incorporates ornamental light fixtures like chandeliers and sconces, and expensive materials such as jade, silver, and ivory. Color schemes typically feature jewel tones combined with neutral shades like brown or beige.
There are a plethora of renowned designers and architects from the era who made significant contributions to the Art Deco movement. Some of these designers include Jean-Michel Frank, who created the interiors of Nelson Rockefeller’s apartment, Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann, who was known for his furniture designs, and Donald Deskey, who oversaw the interiors of Radio City Music Hall. William Van Alen, the architect of the Chrysler Building, and the firm Shreve, Lamb & Harmon, designers of the Empire State Building, also played pivotal roles in defining Art Deco’s bold and beautiful essence.
How Art Deco Shapes the Work at GRECODECO
At GRECODECO, our name reflects our dedication to the Art Deco style. That said, we don’t adhere strictly to historic Art Deco; we provide a modern take on it, updating it and taking inspiration from our surroundings to give it new light. We also often mix the Art Deco style with famous styles from other time periods such as Art Nouveau. Our goal is to create naturally layered, atmospheric spaces that are fully unique and fully immersive. We are committed to crafting wholly original designs that don’t rigidly recreate the past, though we do hope our spaces create feelings of romantic nostalgia in their visitors.
Art Deco Style at Villa Inkognito
One of our Oslo projects, the Villa Inkognito, perfectly illustrates our approach to Art Deco interior design. This 19th-century residence-turned-hotel features a mixture of Art Deco, Art Nouveau, and Classical Norwegian styles to create a wildly imagined, richly embellished space for hotel guests. Each of the 11 different rooms and suites contains a variety of different color palettes and many bespoke pieces from ornately carved bedframes to tasseled drapery and more. Art Deco elements are evident in the Deco-inspired wallpaper we designed, gilded fixtures in the bathrooms, and luxurious accent lighting throughout the hotel. This project exemplifies how we use Art Deco to create richly embellished, imaginative spaces for our clients.
Learn More About GRECODECO
Founded by Adam Greco in 2017, GRECODECO is a Manhattan-based firm that designs thoughtfully layered commercial and residential spaces worldwide. Our passionate team of designers specializes in research-heavy historic projects that capture and celebrate the essence of various iconic time periods, guiding guests through an elegant and emotional journey of the senses.
Interested in learning more about how GRECODECO can create an unforgettable guest experience through our Art Deco interior design? Please don’t hesitate to inquire with us.