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Julie-Ann
16-02-2010, 11:12 AM
One of my favourite homes in Perth was featured in this weekend’s paper. It was built in the 1950’s and is going to be restored to its former glory. It is a beautiful example of Art Deco. It’s called Blue Waters and is on top of a hill on Canning Hwy in Como.

If I were ever to start decorating my home from scratch I would be mostly influenced by the Art Deco style. I love the lines of the furniture and the bling of the materials that are popular with this style.

If you would like to add a little Art Deco pizzazz into your home here a few ideas.

You can quickly spot Art Deco style by its use of certain elements. The furniture and ornaments in the room will be either:
Zigzagged or stepped up.
Sweeping curves or lines.
Sunburst shapes.
Foliage.
Or nudes.

The style commonly uses particular materials as well:
Aluminium
Inlaid wood
Lacquer
Stainless steel
Zebra skin


Art Deco Furniture
Art Deco furniture is streamlined, modern and very sleek. Wood pieces were either highly lacquered, usually in black or made from exotic woods. The upholstery was often velour, which gave a soft and luxurious feel to the furniture. My personal favourite pieces of Art Deco furniture were mirrored pieces, which are also popular today.

http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab86/jamhind/XMB7653_M1.jpg Graham and Green (http://www.grahamandgreen.co.uk/product.aspx/side+tables+coffee+tables/round+art+deco+side+table/furniture/furniture_sidetablesandcoffeetables/-/xmb7653.htm) in the UK sell this beautiful Art Deco Side table



Colors for Art Deco Interiors
The Art Deco style used black as a strong contrast to bold colours like green, white and red. Chrome was the accent colour adding a little sparkle to the room. Pale blue or soft grey also were used to soften the room.

Flooring for Art Deco Rooms
Polished floorboards or parquetry was commonly used as well as lacquered floors. Another look was to use black and white marble flooring or black and white tiles.
Floors were then usually covered with large geometric patterned rugs



http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab86/jamhind/dbtr101_1cc_lead.jpg This photo is care of the DIY network


Art Deco Lighting
Chrome and glass were a popular choice for Art Deco lamps and wall sconces. Floor lamps called Torchieres and table lamps were designed with shiny nickel or chrome bases and handblown glass shades. The glass was often etched, frosted or colourful.

http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab86/jamhind/CLARICEWallArmdetail.jpg This light fitting is available through Lighting Styles (http://www.lightingstyles.co.uk/Clarice_single_arm_wall_light.htm) in the UK but is a popular design that could be easily found in Australia


Accessories Accent Art Deco Design
To add an Art Deco feel to your room choose accessories that are tall, thin and that have a slight curve. Use pieces that are made of glass and shiny metal chrome.
Poster prints from that time look fabulous framed in a simple black frame

You can see that it is a very easy style to incorporate into our homes today. It is modern, minimalist and the items needed are readily available.

Is this one of your favourite decorating styles?
Do you have a little Art Deco already in your home?

rachel
16-02-2010, 12:27 PM
Oh Julie Ann you would love the town of Napier, in the Hawke's Bay wine region on New Zealand's North Island.

It was flattened by an earthquake in the 30s and then rebuilt almost entirely in art deco style (with a sprinking of spanish mission).

I'll see if I can dig up some of my photos, but take a look at http://www.artdeconapier.com

rachel
16-02-2010, 12:42 PM
Some photos:

http://www.artdeconapier.com/Admin/Assets/ViewImage.aspx?Filename=%2fData%2fMedia%2fImages%2 fPage_28_Gallery%2fneonb.jpg&X=400px&Y=300px

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4055/4361693198_20f2c31579.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4066/4361681804_6fd9694880.jpg

Milena
16-02-2010, 01:34 PM
Hi Julie-Ann

What a great article. I really could picture the style and know I have seen examples of this, I just didn't realise what the style is actually called. I really love the pictures you've posted especially the chrome and frosted glass light fitting. I really think if someone came to me saying they wanted to do their house in Art Deco style I would now be able to point them in the right direction. I really enjoyed reading your article and got a lot out of it.

Julie-Ann
16-02-2010, 04:56 PM
That town looks so much like Miami.Thanks for the pictures.
I love the bling of the chrome and the mirror but also the long slender lines and the gorgeous curves.
Funny thing is I don't have any of this in my home:(. But we do have to take my DH's taste into consideration when making choices- as Jenny's DH once said "he does live here too".