How to decorate an Art Deco property like a pro

How to decorate an Art Deco property like a pro

If you have your eye on an Art Deco home, it’s fair to say that you’re probably looking at the best ways to modernise it without compromising its unique flair. Modernising a 1930s property can be a significant investment when it comes to insulation, energy efficiency and smart home hub installation, for example. Additionally, it can be a delicate balance for home buyers, as modern property styles focus on open-plan spaces, while traditional 1930s properties are more likely to have a different interior plan. Many home-owners worry that changing the room layout could take away the unique Art Deco feel.

In reality, there are ways to give a 1930s home a modern makeover while enhancing the unique style of its era. Here are some tips and tricks on how to decorate an Art Deco property successfully.

Vibrant colour schemes

Adding vibrant colours to an Art Deco property can instantly give the room a stylish and sophisticated feel. When looking for furniture or home accessories, look for items that stand out from the rest. Look for eye-catching pieces in deep greens, blues, and purples. Accentuate these items with polished black tables or chests of drawers for a modern twist on the classic Art Deco look. When it comes to colour, you want to make sure it stands out and pops. Art Deco furniture is expensive. However, with a little DIY, you can bring back an old unit to life and inject an Art Deco finish.

Focusing on shapes

When decorating an Art Deco property, shapes are an essential component of the look. Popular shapes include trapezoids, sunbursts, pointed edges, chevrons and more. These shapes create an eye-catching, bold and dynamic look.

One way to introduce these shapes into your décor is to add items with geometric lines. For example, furniture pieces with sharply angled legs and arms can give a room a modern yet elegant look. You can also paint those shapes on to your furniture. Mirrors with sunburst, diamond or geometrical shapes are another great way to incorporate the classic Art Deco aesthetic into a space.

Adding geometric patterns

Geometric patterns are one of the defining features of the Art Deco style. Whether you choose to add these patterns through wallpaper or even geometric rugs from Rugstore NE, they can be used to add both visual interest and texture to the space.

From simple patterns like chevrons and stripes to more intricate motifs like honeycomb, you’ll surely find something that complements your other décor elements. You can also use wallpapers and rugs to add depth and texture to your décor. It is important to keep in mind the typical colour palette and contrast of the Art Deco period:

  • Gold and luxurious lines on a geometric wallpaper
  • Bold black and white patterns for rugs and wallpaper
  • Teal, green, and blue tones can also work well

Bold artwork

Art Deco is characterised by its bold, luxurious designs, which should be reflected in the artwork chosen for an Art Deco property. The artwork should be large and eye-catching, often featuring a single, iconic image. It can feature geometric shapes, patterns and bright and vivid colours. Animal motifs and sculpted figures are also common in Art Deco art.

For an even more striking look, opt for artwork that is framed in gold or silver, which will further emphasise the Art Deco aesthetic.

High contrast palette

The high contrast palette of an Art Deco property is one of its defining features. Art Deco is typically known for its strong black-and-white contrasts and for introducing unique, bright colours such as green and blue. To make the most of this striking aesthetic, you can incorporate high contrast into your decorating scheme.

One way to do this is to paint contrasting walls or add contrasting mouldings around doorways, windows and other wall features. A light wall with a darker-coloured border or a dark wall with a lighter-coloured border can create a dramatic effect that draws attention to the area. You could also use a two-tone approach, painting two walls in different shades that contrast with each other.

Rich materials

When it comes to creating an Art Deco property, the materials used are just as important as the décor. Upscale materials such as marble-like, granite, metals and dark wood are perfect for achieving a high-end Art Deco look. Marble-like surfaces work well in the bathroom and kitchen, while granite is great for counter-tops and flooring. Metals bring a touch of glamour and shine, while dark wood floorings provide a sense of elegance and sophistication. Investing in quality materials will ensure that your home maintains its Art Deco style for years to come.

Can you make home improvement works to a 1930s property without losing the appeal of its unique era? The answer is yes, as long as you understand how to bring the Art Deco interior to life with the tips above!

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Property spotlight: Art Deco homes

39 Roedean Road, Brighton BN2 5RA

My favourite building in the UK is Embassy Court in Brighton. It’s positioned on a corner plot directly opposite the seafront and the size, shape and colour of the block of flats sits perfectly amongst its Regency neighbours.

Art Deco and Moderne architecture can be identified by either its curves (think 1930s ocean liners) or blocks (like white Lego houses). The (often flat-roofed) buildings were constructed using lots of reinforced concrete with wraparound, steel-framed glass windows.

Many original Art Deco homes keep their exterior looks; unfortunately, the interiors have often been messed about with beyond recognition. 21st century domestic life has changed dramatically from what it was when these housed were first constructed. We want open-plan life and large, airy rooms.

The Brighton house we’ve featured below is almost brand new and has been built in the Art Deco manner – with today’s type of lifestyle at its heart. The other two Art Deco homes are contemporary to the original style. Both include integral garages – cars were de rigueur for the middle classes at the time.

40 Station Road, Weston-Super-Mare BS23 1XY

40 Station Road, Weston-Super-Mare BS23 1XY

40 Station Road, Weston-Super-Mare BS23 1XY

£332,500 – 40 Station Road, Weston-Super-Mare BS23 1XY

Central location
Semi detached ‘Art Deco’ style house
• 4 bedrooms
• 2 reception rooms
• Kitchen/breakfast room
• Gas central heating & double glazing
• Gardens & garage
• Requires modernisation

A rare opportunity to acquire a 4 bedroom semi detached ‘Art Deco’ style house with recently rendered elevations under a flat roof.

The Grove, Bearsted, Maidstone ME14 4JB

The Grove, Bearsted, Maidstone ME14 4JB

The Grove, Bearsted, Maidstone ME14 4JB

£600,000 – The Grove, Bearsted, Maidstone ME14 4JB

• Extended, modern & beautifully presented
• Located in a quiet and sought after cul de sac a short distance from the Village Green
• Close to schools and local amenities
• Downstairs Cloakroom
• Newly re-fitted shower room and kitchen
• Conservatory

39 Roedean Road, Brighton BN2 5RA

39 Roedean Road, Brighton BN2 5RA

39 Roedean Road, Brighton BN2 5RA

39 Roedean Road, Brighton BN2 5RA

39 Roedean Road, Brighton BN2 5RA

£4,000,000 – 39 Roedean Road, Brighton BN2 5RA

• Detached Art Deco style house, circa 2013 – 10 year warranty
• 6 double bedrooms all en suite
• 9456 sq. ft
• South facing garden with pool & sun terraces
• Off street parking and double garage

With gentle curves and strong lines accentuated by banks of energy efficient crittal style aluminium windows this beautiful house is a stunning reimagining of the classic ‘style moderne’ with glass walls to bring the light and sea views into the heart of the home, an exacting finish with the best of 21st century fittings including a Poggenphol kitchen with top of the range Gaggenhau fittings, a wine tasting room and a library created by one of our top craftsmen Michael Mancini, and C.P Hart bathrooms as well as underfloor heating throughout
A glamorous reimagining of the Art Deco style delivers a unique coastal home beautifully designed to make the most of the stunning setting and although it is like stepping into a painting and every room has a designer finish, it is also a family friendly, comfortable home with a discreet practical ethos.

Auction alert: Jewellery & Watches

A sapphire and diamond Maltese cross brooch

An exciting Jewellery & Watches auction takes place at Roseberys in London on Tuesday 13th September 2022, from 11am.

Regular readers will know that I’m a massive jewellery fan – especially antique & vintage jewellery. I love the Art Deco period, Georgian & Victorian mourning jewellery and brutalist Scandinavian pieces. My favourite colour is purple, so amethyst is a favourite stone. The item of jewellery that I most covet is an antique baguette or step-cut, channel set, full eternity diamond ring in white gold or platinum. Many of these can be found in this upcoming sale… now, if only I had a spare few quid sloshing about!

There are some famous jewellery and watch-makers represented at this sale; including Asprey, Cartier, Chaumet, Hermès and Mappin and Webb.

One of the of advantages of researching auction lots is you often learn the meanings of words and terms. Today, I found out that parure is a matching set of jewels and a surete (or more correctly, sûreté) pin is a safety pin. Calibré cut gems, popular in Art Deco jewellery, are often square or rectangular shaped and channel set very close together. A navette cut is a gem in the shape of a boat – unless it’s a diamond, then it’s referred to as marquise cut – shaped to resemble the lips of the Marquise (or Madame) de Pompadour – a lover of King Luis XV. Oh, the blackholes you can fall into while blogging!

If you’re planning on bidding, don’t forget added charges; their buyer’s premium is 25% + VAT (30% inclusive of VAT) which will be added on to the final hammer price of each item. You’ll need to register with Roseberys to bid live online. Alternatively, bidding is available on the Invaluable, Live Auctioneers and Saleroom sites.

Roseberys is unable to pack and ship items in-house, but they recommend a number of delivery companies.

A Georgian, rose-cut diamond comet brooch

Lot 1: A Georgian, rose-cut diamond comet brooch
Designed as an openwork circle of rose-cut diamonds with engraved scroll surmount and rose-cut diamond terminal. c. 1830, length 2.6cm This brooch is one of many different types produced in the early 19th century to commemorate Halley’s comet. Halley’s Comet is arguably the most famous comet in history. it was first recorded in 1705 by the astronomer Edmund Halley. As a “periodic” comet, it returns to Earth’s vicinity about every 75 years, making it possible for a person to see it twice in their lifetime. It was last here in 1986, and it is projected to return in 2061
Estimate: £200 – £300

A group of six gem-set and diamond eternity rings

Lot 68: A group of six gem-set and diamond eternity rings
Set with brilliant- and single-cut diamonds and calibre-cut sapphires, rubies and emeralds respectively. (6)
Estimate: £1,000 – £1,500

A pair of emerald and diamond ear clips

Lot 112: A pair of emerald and diamond ear clips
Each of scroll design centring on a cut-cornered square emerald, within a scroll surround of brilliant- and single-cut diamonds, clip and post fittings. c.1960 Accompanied by a gemmological report from Amsterdam & Sauer.
Estimate: £2,000 – £3,000

A pair of Art Deco, aquamarine and diamond dress clips

Lot 114: A pair of Art Deco, aquamarine and diamond dress clips
Each of palmette design set with oval-shaped and step-cut aquamarines, framed by single-cut diamonds. c.1930, length 2.5cm
Estimate: £800 – £1,200

A sapphire and diamond Maltese cross brooch

Lot 125: A sapphire and diamond Maltese cross brooch
Designed as a central claw-set circular-cut sapphire with brilliant-cut diamond-set openwork arms, stamped 750, width 5.5cm
Estimate: £2,000 – £3,000

A suite of cultured pearl and diamond jewellery

Lot 160: A suite of cultured pearl and diamond jewellery
Comprising: a ring; pendant ; and pair of ear clips, each set with a single grey cultured pearl accented with marquise and square diamonds, ring size J, clip and post fittings.
Estimate: £1,500 – £2,000

Asprey & Co, an amethyst and diamond flower surete pin

Lot 164: Asprey & Co, an amethyst and diamond flower surete pin
By Asprey, composed of four navette-cut amethyst cluster flowerheads each with a brilliant-cut diamond centre, to a navette-cut diamond and diamond cluster keeper, signed Asprey, length, 7.5cm, stamped 18K
Estimate: £300 – £500

A gold, diamond and hematite parure

Lot 180: A gold, diamond and hematite parure
By Deakin & Francis, comprising a collar, bangle and pair of ear clips, the collar and bangle of gas pipe design, each accented with hematite cabochons and brilliant-cut diamond detail, the ear clips of matching design, British hallmarks for 9-carat gold, steel spring to collar and bangle.
Estimate: £600 – £800

Chaumet, a diamond eternity ring

Lot 206: Chaumet, a diamond eternity ring
By Chaumet, set with princess- and brilliant-cut diamonds, signed Chaumet, numbered, ring size L.
Estimate: £800 – £1,200

An amethyst and gem necklace

Lot 247: An amethyst and gem necklace
Composed of large cabochon gems including: amethyst, lemon citrine, citrine and smokey quartz, to chain-link connections, length 43cm
Estimate: £2,500 – £3,000

Cartier, an 18ct gold, diamond band ring

Lot 268: Cartier, an 18ct gold, diamond band ring
By Cartier, pave-set with brilliant-cut diamonds, signed Cartier and numbered, 626961, European convention hallmarks, French assay and maker’s marks, ring size M.
Estimate: £3,000 – £5,000

Designer Desire: Dorrie Nossiter

Montage of Dorrie Nossiter Jewellery designs

Born in Aston, Birmingham, jewellery designer Dorrie Nossiter (1893-1977) worked in the Arts & Crafts and latterly Art Deco styles.

Nossiter is another designer I discovered from a recent auction catalogue; it included the rock crystal necklace at the top of our montage above – simple elegance!

She studied at the city’s Municipal School of Art from 1910 to 1914. During the 1930s, she exhibited her work a number of times at Walker’s Gallery in London.

She created rings, earrings, brooches and necklaces in gold and silver using gemstones such as amethyst, aquamarine, citrine, garnet, peridot and tourmaline.

As well as at auction, you’ll find a handful of examples of her work for sale at any given time on eBay and Etsy.

As Dorrie Nossiter never signed her work, it has often been mistaken for her friend and contemporary, Sibyl Dunlop – perhaps we’ll feature her in next week’s Designer Desire slot.

Portrait of Dorrie Nossitercredit

Additional image credits:
The Peartree Collection | Sotherbys | Sworders