Art Deco

Art Deco emerged in the 1920s, with its origins in France, and became popular internationally, especially in the United States around the time of World War II. It developed during a time of tension between functionalists and decorators. Functionalists focused on simplicity, mass production, and designing for everyday people, while decorators emphasized luxury, craftsmanship, and aesthetics. Art Deco clearly aligned more with the decorators, as it was highly ornamental and not focused on function or social theory.

This style is known for being bold, glamorous, and fashion-oriented. It often incorporated geometric shapes such as zig-zags, chevrons, and stepped forms inspired by skyscrapers. Materials played a huge role in defining the style, with designers using rich and luxurious elements like ebony, zebrawood, ivory, polished metals, glass, and mirrors. Lighting also became an important feature, as electricity was becoming more widely used, leading to dramatic fixtures and reflective surfaces that enhanced brightness. Overall, Art Deco represented modernity, luxury, and a shift toward design that celebrated visual impact over practicality.

Chrysler Building in New York

Normandie Interior

Radio City Music Hall by Donald Deskey

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Jacques-Emile Ruhlmann was one of the most influential furniture designers of the Art Deco period. He focused heavily on luxury and craftsmanship, creating pieces that were meant for an elite clientele rather than mass production. His work often featured rare and expensive materials such as ebony, zebrawood, sharkskin, and ivory, which contributed to the overall richness of the style.

Ruhlmann’s designs were known for their elegance, clean lines, and attention to detail. Even though Art Deco included many bold and geometric elements, his work maintained a sense of refinement and balance. He believed that furniture should be both beautiful and high quality, which made his pieces highly desirable and influential. His work represents the luxurious side of Art Deco and highlights how the movement prioritized aesthetics, status, and craftsmanship over practicality.

Art Deco stands out as a style that fully embraced decoration, luxury, and modern life. I think what makes it interesting is how it reflects a shift in society, where people were becoming more focused on appearance, status, and new technology like electricity. The use of bold shapes and rich materials makes the style feel very confident and expressive compared to earlier periods. At the same time, it’s clear that it wasn’t designed for everyone, since it often catered to wealthier individuals. Overall, Art Deco feels like a celebration of design and creativity, and I can see why elements of it are still used in modern interiors today.