Art Deco Style Interior Design

By Michelle Radclif
Art Deco style interior design has its roots in the 1920s and 1930s. This sleek
style influenced architecture as well as furnishings, sculpture, fashion,
jewelry, and visual arts. Art Deco then lead directly into the glamorous
designs of 1940s Hollywood.
Art Deco History
Art Deco is a streamlined, geometric style which often includes furniture
pieces with curved fronts, mirrors, clean lines, chrome hardware and glass.
This elegant style began as a Modernist response in opposition to Art
Nouveau style which featured elaborate, flowing natural forms plus female
imagery and Tifany lamps.
Art Deco makes use of angular, balanced geometric shapes, such as the
classic skyline imagery of the 1930s Chrysler Building and Empire State
Building. Renowned artists that helped to define Art Deco style include Erte,
Adolphe Mouron (aka Cassandre) and Tamara de Lempicka.
The term "Art Deco" is taken from the Exposition Internationale des Arts
Dcoratifs et Industriels Modernes, which was a World's Fair held in Paris,
France, in 1925, though the name was not used until after the 1960s. It is
therefore also called Style Moderne or 1925 Style.
The atmosphere of pre-World War I Europe was a major influence on this
style, which was a reaction to the hasty societal and industrial advances of
the early 20th century. Paris was the hub of Art Deco style, due in part to the

artistic creations of Jacques-Emile Ruhlmann, Jean-Jacques Rateau, Eileen

Gray, Edgar Brandt, Jean Dunand, Ren Lalique, Maurice Marinot and Cartier.
After a 1926 hurricane ravaged Miami, Florida, architects designed whole city
blocks in the Art Deco style. This architectural experiment resulted in Miami's
distinctive tropical influenced Art Deco design.
Art Deco Style
Art Deco is thought to be a diverse form of Modern decoration with eclectic
influences coming from the primal arts of Aztec Mexico, Africa and Egypt, in
addition to the powerful images of the Hi-Tech Age, like radios and
skyscrapers. For example, the 1935 Victrola is a vivid and discernible Art
Deco item.

Art Deco employs unique materials such as:

Aluminum

Inlaid wood

Lacquer

Shagreen

Stainless steel

Zebra skin

Design elements of art deco involve:

Zigzagged and stepped patterns

Sweeping curves and lines

Chevron patterns

Sunburst shapes

Art Deco was frequently opulent in nature and was often featured in
cinemas, theaters and ocean liners. A corresponding movement, called
Streamline design, was taken from manufacturing and scientific advances in
addition to sleek, aerodynamic shapes. Following the success of the Chrysler
Airflow design of 1933, similar shapes began to be used for everyday
objects, like pencil sharpeners and refrigerators.

Mediterranean Style Interior Design

By Sarabeth Asaf
Kitchen and Bathroom Designer
Mediterranean style interior design evokes the romance and cornucopia of
smells, tastes and colors on the southern coast of Europe. The region's
casual and friendly lifestyle is reflected in the relaxed design, rustic furniture
and wall textures. It's a colorful and pleasing design style that brings a touch
of the Mediterranean to even the most northern home.
Mediterranean Design Elements
Mediterranean style refers, roughly, to the design style of the south of Spain,
Greece and Italy. This region is known for its turquoise waters (hence,
the cote d'azur), sparkling sunlit days and vibrant produce and flowers.
These elements are mirrored in Mediterranean design.
Unlike formal Parisian drawing room style or dark Florentine or Madrileno
design, Mediterranean design is more similar to Tuscan design; carefree and
casual, emphasizing the colors and textures found in the surrounding
landscape. Nature is apparent in the architectural elements and furnishings
in Mediterranean style. Terra cotta tiles, rough-cut stone and pine wood are
all used liberally.
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The Colors of Mediterranean Style Interior Design
Mediterranean colors are vibrant and earthy. Yellows, oranges and deep reds
mirror the spectacular seaside sunsets. Lavender, deep purple (aubergine)
and cornflower yellow evoke the fields of flowers that cover the foothills, just
up from the coast. Greens, from lush forest green to light mint green, reflect
the lush countryside.
Textures and Fabrics
The textures of the Mediterranean are rough and earthy, just like the colors.
Walls are customarily made of textured white plaster or stucco. Floors are
covered with roughly finished tile or plain pine planking. Large, dark wooden
ceiling beams are commonly used, in stark contrast to the white-washed
stucco walls.
Water is another common Mediterranean design element, and many
European homes include a courtyard fountain or other water feature. North
American homeowners can capture this feel with a ceramic wall fountain or
lavebo.
Furniture and Accessories

Mediterranean-style furniture reflects the casual lifestyle and community of

the Mediterranean. Light pine furniture is a signature of this design style, as
are large pieces, such as a plank kitchen table, suitable for eight to twelve
diners. Mediterranean kitchens are always open to neighbors and friends.
Large, usually pine, armoires are common - they were a necessity in 18th
and 19th century homes that had no closets. In modern homes, these
massive pieces can double as entertainment centers or linen closets.
Accessories in Mediterranean style interior design are also rustic and colorful.
Door and furniture hardware are often made of rough-hewn iron. Additionally,
mosaic tiles, taken from Spain's Islamic influences, are frequently found on
tabletops, countertops and even stuck in plaster as wall adornments. Smaller
accessories are mostly useful items, such as copper and iron cookware,
colorful crockery and braids of garlic, peppers and onions. Flowers, either
fresh, dried or simulated, add another source of color to a Mediterranean
room.

Minimalist Home Design

By Sarabeth Asaf
Kitchen and Bathroom Designer
Architects and designers who favor a less is more approach often support
minimalist home design. The concept of minimalism in buildings and interior
spaces calls for the use of clean lines, simple color palettes and unadorned
surfaces.
Basics of Minimalism
The core goal of minimalist design is to break down forms and structures to
their basic elements. The straightforward nature of Asian design, particularly
classic Japanese design, has been one of the inspirations for minimalism.
Famous designers who pioneered minimalist ideas include Ludwig Mies van
der Rohe and members of the De Stijl Dutch art movement. Mies van der
Rohe focused on the exterior frame of buildings while adopting open floor
plans on the inside.
Minimalist designers and architects concentrate on removing dimension from
spaces and connecting the intersecting visual planes of the building. This
leaves room to diligently plan out the wide open spaces of the interiors. The
initial push to rediscover pure forms is now supplanted by the desire to instill
a sense of calm, harmony, and spirituality in interior spaces.

ART NOUVEAU
The Art Nouveau architectural style developed in Europe between 1890 and
1914. This style grew out of a rebellion against classical ideals in architecture
and art. It was based on the premise that nature was the best source of
inspiration and aesthetic principals, or ideas about beauty. The major
characteristics of Art Nouveau architecture and art were curved forms and
ornate embellishments with shapes from nature. Art Nouveau styles were
found not just in architecture and paintings, but in the decorative arts as
well, making it accessible to many people.
Proponents of Art Nouveau architecture turned against references to classical
Greek and Roman standards that had been popular during much of the
1800s. They were driven to throw of strict and formal philosophies of art.
Instead, architects who designed Art Nouveau buildings found their
inspiration in the expressive lines and shapes of nature, especially from
flowers and other plant life.
Curved lines and arches dominated the exterior of Art Nouveau architecture.
An example is Casa Batllo in Barcelona, Spain, which was redesigned by
Antoni Gaudi between 1905 and 1907 in the Art Nouveau style. The exterior
of Casa Batllo has curved, leaf-like balconies. The bottom of each balcony
has a flower design that can be seen from the street, and the lower floors
have undulating arches. Casa Batllo does not have many straight lines or
geometric shapes, as even the corners of the building are curved.

Another example of Art Nouveau architecture is the Hotel Guimard, built by

Hector Guimard in 1912 in Paris, France. Guimard built the house for himself
and his wife Adeline Oppenheim. The windows of the Hotel Guimard are
shielded by arches with root-like designs. A large balcony at the top of the
building has an elaborate wrought iron railing with flowery elements. The
entryway to the house has an arch with asymmetrical, floral designs.
Not only was Art Nouveau evident in external architecture but interior
design displayed its standards as well. Ornate moldings with relief sculptures
of plants, flowers and birds were characteristic of building interiors. Opulent,
winding staircases were common as well.
Proponents of Art Nouveau intended it to be a non-elitist style of art that did
not draw distinctions between fine arts like painting and sculpture, and
applied arts like ceramics and metalworking. Art Nouveau style was applied
to rugs, furniture, textiles, wallpaper, lamps andgraphic design. For this
reason, Art Nouveau was a style available to a wide number of people.

Post Modern Interior Design

By Kim Stone
Interior Decorator
If you like contemporary updates of styles from the past, then you will
probably enjoy post modern interior design. This contemporary style shuns
minimalism in favor of decorative surfaces and designs.
What is Post Modern Design?
Beginning in the 1960's and lasting through today, the post-modern
movement took root as a response to modernist design. This movement
began in America and then spread internationally across the globe. Postmodern designers tend to reject the functional, minimal use of materials and
lack of embellishment adopted by modernist designers. Seeking to free
themselves of restrictive rules, post-modernists place form over function
when desired.
Another key theme in post-modern design is borrowing from the past to
create eclectic designs in architecture, furnishings, and interiors. Wit and
humor are also common elements in post-modern buildings and homes. Postmodernists seek to create comfortable spaces for the body, mind, and soul.
This results in a mixture of various design styles, unexpected design

materials, and unconventional angles. Post-modern design typically has an

air of excitement and energy.
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Post Modern Design Details
Notable post-modern designers include Robert Venturi, Michael Graves, Philip
Johnson, and Robert A.M. Stern, to name a few. Some of the furnishings
styles which define post-modern design are Craft Revival, ergonomic
furniture, and art furniture. Post-modern furniture designer, Judy McKie, is
known for her Craft Revival pieces which integrate stylized animal themes in
distinctive, sculptural shapes. McKie's expressive, handcrafted pieces can
also be described as art furniture due to her emphasis on beautiful shapes,
images, and forms.
Ergonomic furniture includes post-modern pieces for both the home and the
workplace. The rise of the modern commercial office and the home office has
lead to a need for comfortable seating and work spaces. An example of postmodern ergonomic home furniture is the Stressless collection fromEkornes.
Their recliner was introduced in 1971 with an emphasis on comfort that
provided proper support at the same time. Ekornes now ofers their
contemporary sofas in styles and finishes that coordinate with the Stressless
line of furnishings. Their line proves that comfort can be stylish.

Art furniture employs form over function and includes unique designs such as
pop art motifs and whimsical themes. Often times, art furniture stands alone
from its function like a sculpture or object d' art. The furniture should be
useful and somewhat functional, but the main purpose of art furniture is to

add interest to a room through a theme, color, or shape. Sculptural chairs

and cofee tables are common examples of art furniture. Bold shapes and
interesting angles are also a major element of art furniture pieces.
Some of the other trends inside the post-modern movement include:

Classic modernism - borrows from the classical, graceful designs

of the ancient Greeks.

Memphis style - started by Ettore Sottsass in the 1980's, this style

promotes freedom of expression in form and color.

Deconstructivism - places emphasis on form and design without

adherence to normal structural rules. Frank O. Gehry's unique,
whimsical designs are one example.

High tech style - emphasizes the display of industrial and

structural elements in a noticeable or decorative way.